H&dM Objects, the design label of Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, unveiled a special limited-edition series of the Hong Kong Stool, titled ‘Droite et Gauche’, and made from a combination of walnut and ash, at this year’s MATTER and SHAPE fair in Paris. The Hong Kong Stool originally resulted from the design process for the M+ museum in Hong Kong. Influenced by the archetype of traditional Asian wooden gates, the stool is a subtle nod to their characteristic form, alluding to ancient Asian traditions of woodworking.

It is a logic puzzle that you can build and re-build, the result a robust solid Object. The whole construction is fastened by one wooden spike that connects all separate components in a single move, like a Chinese wooden puzzle. Dry jointing gives it a naturally wobbly character. The stool is also a contemporary design; one that explores the threshold between analogue and digital. Originally built out of steamed bamboo, a local wood in China, its milled and rippled surfaces evoke the texture and character of bamboo sticks.

At MATTER and SHAPE 2026, the H&dM Objects installation focused on the flat-packed components and assembly of the stool – a wooden puzzle using traditional Asian dry-jointing techniques and a homage to Hong Kong’s towering skyline. Visitors were invited to try assembling the stool themselves. According to the designers, the limited edition collection continues to use wood such as ash and walnut, in keeping with a sustainable approach.