KORSI ROOM

January 2024 - February 2024

Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands

Commissioned by: foundation Huis Van De Toekomst

Photography: Frank Hanswijk, Studio C.A.R.E.

► Ongoing experiment on energy transition

► Insulation with alternative materials

► Mix of Traditional Knowledge and contemporary techniques

► Meeting Room


The Korsi room is an ongoing design research project for energy transition at Huis van de Toekomst (House of the Future). The room is dedicated to meetings for approximately 10 people.

The korsi is a traditional heated table in Iranian culture with a large blanket over it that people sitting at the (low) table cover their legs with to keep warm. Huis van de Toekomst asked us to design a fully furnished korsi meeting room with the possibility to power the heat from different sources.

After building a room just big enough for 10 people and the furniture, we designed a ROSy table with a footrest where we can add an electrical infrared heating foil. Furthermore, we came up with deep benches for one side of the room, which could store the korsi blanket when it’s not needed, plus blankets and cushions for guests to sleep or nap. The benches stand on felt feet and can easily be moved throughout the room to ensure the modularity of the space.

We designed the pattern of the korsi blanket in a way that it also works when people sit on chairs at the table. The idea is that no air gets underneath the table to keep the warmth. All parts of the blanket are connected with zippers and can be taken off, for example, to be washed or in the summer. The different parts of the blanket are interchangeable. Thirteen reclaimed woollen blankets from sheep´s wool were used to realise the whole design. Fluorescent yellow zippers and yarn add a spark to the look.
All parts were brought together by Samantha Sejwal, who also designed the symbol of the pomegranate stitched on the blanket, symbolising the light during the traditional celebration of Yalda Night in winter, where pomegranates are a traditional element of the menu.

The source for the power to heat the infrared electric foil can be switched from 240V electricity to the bike generator or to solar panels.

The bike generator is made by lowtechmagazine .