The Walden Series

A prototype series of three designs inspired by the masters of modernism and by the principles of simple living.

When designer Weng Xinyu of Berlin-based firm YUUE Design Studio was furnishing his new apartment during the pandemic, he decided to design a few pieces of his own furniture and lighting. Inspired by both masters of modernism and by the principles of simple living from David Henry Thoreau’s Walden, the designer created the Walden series. The trio of prototypes comprises a side table, a lounge chair, and a table lamp. Crafted from solid ash wood, the pieces are all imaginative as well as cleverly assembled to create dynamic compositions that play with clean lines and geometric shapes.

The Walden Side Table pays tribute to E1027, a side table created by Irish architect and furniture designer Eileen Gray. A reinterpretation of the iconic design, it features several parts that come together in a perfect mechanical fit. Apart from a ring-like base, the table also features two vertical components and a rod which the user can adjust to change the height of the circular top.

Likewise, the Walden Lounge Chair has a puzzle-like assembly system. The chair features two wooden boards that hold a leather sheet. Softened edges where the user’s body touches the wood optimize comfort. Finally, the Walden Floor Lamp has a minimal structure with rectangular elements that create a dynamic composition. The lamp also features magnets that allow the user to rotate the light as needed. Furthermore, the lamp pole is adjustable and can be fixed to the base in three different slots. For these prototypes, the designer used solid ash wood, leather for the chair, and electrical parts for the lamp. Photography and styling by Studio Likeness.