RAAHAT
(SINGLE BED)
RAAHAT is a low height bed of size 6’ x 3’ (single bed), designed for a guest house with a requirement of two beds in each bedroom. The furniture is made entirely of bamboo and is easy to dismantle for compact and quick packaging and transportation.
The project started by exploring various bamboo joinery, using the Dendrocalamus Strictus -solid and the Bambusa Tulda -hollow bamboo, and further, using one of those joineries to develop the product.
First, I selected a few straight hollow bamboos of a substantial wall thickness for the mainframe members of the bed and cleaned them to remove the oil and grease collected on its surface.
Next, I moved on to making the bed base or the platform for the mattress. I took long hollow bamboos and divided them into splits, which are then kept in water overnight to soften the fibers so that it becomes easy to smooth or even out them. Then I took two splits and pasted them together, fiber sides facing each other, and left it overnight to bond. This step is repeated to make ten such pieces.
Meanwhile, I marked and drilled holes at the required spots on the frame members. The next step involved turning the solid bamboo members for legs and headboard and assembling them to make a frame for weaving.
The following image shows the headboard frame being weaved by a professional weaver, using locally dyed fine-quality cotton tape.
Simultaneously, I fixed the bed temporarily to check for strength and comfort and then assembled it later with all the ready components
THE FINAL PROTOTYPE
JOINERY AND OTHER DETAILS
The idea was to design a piece of furniture with bamboo as the primary material, which may or may not include other materials; something sturdy, long-lasting, and aesthetically pleasing.
As the name “Raahat” suggests, this low-height single bed of size 6’ x 3’, following all prerequisites, is super comfy, lightweight, and can be easily dismantled for compact and quick packaging and transportation.
Its modern and minimal look suits a present-day individual’s interests, targeting sustainable living.
