The Chair Under the Tree

The chair under the tree is a project that invites students at San Buenaventura University in Cali, Colombia, to reconnect with nature amid their academic routines. It is conceived as a simple but meaningful space, where the shade of a tree becomes a refuge for rest, contemplation, and encounter. More than a piece of furniture, the chair is understood as a social and environmental device that encourages outdoor activities, stimulates creativity, and offers a respite from the fast pace of urban and university life.

- plastic wood

- 1/4 rod

- wooden stowage

At San Buenaventura University in Cali, founded in 1970, the idea was to create a campus with large green areas that would offer students a peaceful and organic environment in which to pursue their academic activities. However, over the years, a problem has arisen: the decrease in suitable spaces for outdoor activities. This has limited the recreational possibilities for students, who often have to settle for sitting on the ground or standing while carrying out these activities.

Our proposal stems from a busy but sparsely populated area located under a large tree. The idea was to integrate this space, embracing the tree as a central element, so that students can gather and organize themselves while enjoying the shade it provides.

It is proposed for a strategic location on the university campus, where many students gather and which is close to the main campus buildings.

The proposal for the chair under the tree aims to create spaces for rest, reflection, and gathering in educational environments, where students can reconnect with nature while engaging in academic and social activities in an environment different from the traditional classroom.

The solution involves installing two pieces of furniture designed in the shape of an S that surround the tree, creating shaded spaces that students can enjoy outdoors with a natural element.

-Ergonomic and flexible design: the chairs are designed with sloping backs, comfortable seats, and the possibility of grouping them together to form collective spaces.

-Functional integration: each module can include support surfaces for books, notebooks, or laptops, making it a suitable space for studying.

-Accessibility: rest areas under trees will be accessible to the entire student community, including students with reduced mobility.

-Connection with nature: it fosters environmental awareness and appreciation of trees as allies of collective well-being, promoting calm spaces where students can relax, meditate, or simply enjoy the shade and fresh air.

-Social cohesion: it promotes informal encounters and strengthens community life on campus.

Beyond the educational sphere, the proposal can be replicated in public spaces, parks, and neighborhoods, creating a network of micro green spaces that offer rest and contact with nature within the city. In this sense, the chair under the tree is not just a piece of furniture, but a device for social and environmental transformation, integrating sustainability, education, and well-being into a single concept.

The chair incorporates an internal structure made up of 1/4" rods, which guarantee resistance and stability against movement when sitting down. This structural union ensures the continuity of the encrypted plane, allowing for correct adaptation and comfort in the module.

The chair under the tree is establishing itself as an innovative strategy to enrich educational environments by creating spaces for rest and gathering in direct contact with nature. It aims to help students break out of their routine a little and relax in an area that is in harmony with nature and the campus.