NOEMAR Company

Donkey

2022

Donkey by NOEMAR — a donkey-shaped wooden stool and cart system on castors, carrying a drinks module on its back.

Overview

What was born from an idea about enriching office contexts with humour has evolved into the Donkey, a furniture system of various modules carried by the trustworthy Donkey. Taking the pack animal as its starting point, the project combines functional furniture design with a playful and unexpected narrative.

Donkey by NOEMAR — close-up of the joinery where the wooden head and legs meet the frame.
Donkey by NOEMAR — two bare frames facing each other against a concrete wall, a painted banana graphic above.

Concept

The Donkey provides a central framework onto which different modules can be mounted. Stools for a quick sit-together, a bookshelf for the living room, or a home bar to impress guests - each become interchangeable parts of one adaptable furniture system, allowing the object to evolve according to its use.

Donkey by NOEMAR — a blue and a black stool with a bare wooden frame set outside a house, styled with a bottle and books.
Donkey by NOEMAR — the blue stool with its padded leather seat and clip-on straps.
Donkey by NOEMAR — a black side table, a natural-wood frame, and a blue stool arranged on a stone quay by the water, set with glasses and a decanter.

Generations

As a project that is ever-evolving, two generations of the Donkey have been realised — a more abstracted form, as well as a bold, expressive donkey that may give you a judgemental look.

Donkey by NOEMAR — detail of the frame's carved head and eye, with the cross-braced legs behind it.
Donkey by NOEMAR — detail of the joinery where the donkey-eared leg meets the stool frame.

Context

The first generation of Donkey and its fitting modules revolved around reimagining modern-day offices spaces. While working from home is increasingly standard, the role of the physical office is changing, repositioning the workplace as a stage for relationships and community. In contrast to rigid corporate furnishings, the Donkey introduces a humorous, approachable design language, with its socially oriented modules actively cultivating togetherness within modern work environments.

Donkey by NOEMAR — the stacked step-stool and the bottle cart seen from across the room.
Donkey by NOEMAR — exploded render of the stool's top rails, mallet, and leg frames.
Donkey by NOEMAR — a person reaching for a Campari drink resting on one of the stool legs.
Donkey by NOEMAR — four stool variants in different woods and finishes, one with a folded leg and slate-grey seat tabs.
Donkey by NOEMAR — side render of the assembled stool frame, showing the donkey-eared leg and rear ball foot.
ViewProcess →NextView next project ↓