South Korean designer Junho Kang has created Cling, a stool made from stainless steel sheets and designed to resemble a climber’s grip.
The stool was designed to reference different aspects of lead climbing, with a seat informed by the shape of a rock and pincer-shaped legs that emulate the shape of hands gripping between rock crevices.
“In climbing, the way you grip a rock depends on its shape, and I drew on that idea for Cling,” Kang told Dezeen.
A rope and carabiner, which are essential tools for climbers, are also incorporated into the design
“These tools provide a sense of trust and security when climbing, which inspired me to incorporate them into the Cling stool,” explained Kang.
The rope is hung from a carabiner under the seat and tied to an eye nut in a double figure-eight knot, which climbers use to secure themselves. The resulting sling is decorative but can also be used to store a book or magazine.
Through experimenting with surface treatments, the designer settled on using a brass brush to give the steel a rough texture reminiscent of rock.
The stool’s design is also intended to be customisable, according to Kang. “The legs can vary based on different grip techniques, while the seat – representing the rock face – can shift from circular to polygonal forms inspired by natural rock formations,” he said.
A recent graduate from Hongik University in Seoul, Kang created the Cling stool to unite his interest in climbing and design.
“It’s a reflection of my personal journey and interests coming together,” he said.
“Since I started sport climbing, it’s become a vital part of my life. Last year, I dove into art furniture design and decided to blend my passion for climbing with furniture creation.”
Kang plans to continue the concept of Cling, exploring with plans to produce a full furniture collection inspired by rock climbing.
“Starting with this stool, I plan to explore these variations and expand the concept further,” Kang shared.
“This year, I plan to develop variations of Cling alongside new pieces like lighting and a bookstand, building a cohesive series rooted in my love for climbing,” he added.
Other climbing-inspired projects on Dezeen include a rock climbing-themed staircase and a bouldering wall incorporated into a living room.
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