ESQUISSE THREE - FORM vs FUNCTION

Esquisse three asks us to create two scale model chairs from Bolsa wood and wire without fixings or glue. One chair is to represent the idea of form and the other is to represent the idea of function. Often these two elements overlap, and this is the case in my two examples. While one element might be more apparent than the other, both of my examples could be quite easily used as a devices for sitting in and both have a certain structural aesthetic.


FORM

This example with it's repetitive angular fins represents form. These fins slide together to create the general shape of an arm chair. Wire is used in the undercarriage to hold the side support elements together and increase strength. Again it follows the simple kit of parts idea examined in earlier esquisses. A total of six parts, two identical wire elements, a back and seat of the same size and two side structural elements of the same size come together easily and quickly to create the finished piece.







FUNCTION

This example with it's repetitive timber elements is joined with a single piece of wire holding the back and seat elements together. The top of the back is held together with another piece of wire, while wire used at the front of the seat becomes part of the base. Again simple kit of parts construction is employed, ten equally cut lengths of timber form the back, 11 equally cut lengths of timber form the seat, all connected with three separate wire elements that become the base. This chair can be stacked quite easily for storage and is angled for comfort.

ESQUISSE TWO - LOCKING SYSTEMS

In this project we were asked to explore the idea of locking systems by creating three separate examples of how two materials can be locked together without using fixings or glues. Following on from esquisse one the materials we are working with are Bolsa wood and 1mm wire.



EXAMPLE ONE

I touched on the idea of locking systems in esquisse one with the pin and brace idea. The brace or folded wire element fits around two separate pieces of Bolsa with a pin threading through both pieces to hold the brace in place. My first example explores this idea further by placing extra pressure on the Bolsa to create a slight curve.








EXAMPLE TWO

In the second example I started to think about forming the locking systems into pieces that relate to the structure of stools or chairs. I threaded two pieces of Bolsa wood together to create an X shape. A third piece of Bolsa sits between the X shape creating the seat. A single piece of wire is then pierced through the seat and fins of the X shape on one side, threaded across the bottom and then back up the other side and through the seat panel in the same way. When pressure is placed on the seat panel it increases the strength and stability of the stool as gravity creates force placing tension on the wire and locking the stool into place.









EXAMPLE THREE

I was very happy with the simplicity and effectiveness of this example and believe it has great potential for the final project. The locking system employed is extremely simple, just a set of pins and gravity to hold the pieces together. Slots cut into the vertical pieces of Bolsa allow for horizontal pieces to fit through these slots and be locked into place by a simple pin.



After using a single horizontal panel as shown above, the shape of panels was changed and a second horizontal panel was inserted to provide another locking point. This prevented movement in the lower part of the stool and allowed the pin to be firmly secured at two points. The panels are all the same size, two have slots cut into them and two have corners cut off and a small hole made so they may be inserted and pinned into place. See below for the kit of parts.



From this simple kit of parts the final model was made.








I would like to expand on this idea for the final project. I would like to refine the proportions and styling of the piece and consider additions to the kit of parts so that the product may be used in a more flexible manner. Ideas include changing the size of the panels to alter the size and shape of the seats for different applications and also combining or fashioning the pins into small side tables, shelves or plant holders.

ESQUISSE ONE - TRIANGULATION

This project is designed to improve our understanding of geometry with particular emphasis on triangulation. Triangulation is the method most commonly used by designers and architects to ensure structural integrity and strength. Many architects use it today to construct the complex geometric shapes driven by computer aided design.

I created a pyramid with dimensions 100mm x 100mm x 100mm out of 1mm wire and 2mm Bolsa wood. No fixings or glues could be employed, just the bolsa panels and wire elements to hold the pyramid together.


This is the finished product.





This was achieved by combining the elements shown in the image below.



- 1 X base plate of 100 x 100mm
- 4 X triangular panels
- 1 X square wire element
- 4 X triangle wire elements
- 6 X wire pins



The triangular sides were leaned towards one another and the square wire elements and pins inserted to hold the pieces together as shown in the below image.





This top section was then attached to the base using a single triangular wire elements and pin in at each corner to create the finished product as shown below.





The idea behind this design is that the pins hold each of the wire elements together which in turn hold each of the Bolsa wood panels together in the form of the pyramid. Each panel could be individually fashioned to allow for a better fit, eliminating the overhanging edges completely. I think this is a successful result that could be perfected with further design development and refinement.

NGV VISIT

The below sketches are of 20th Century chairs I recently viewed during a visit to the NGV Furniture Gallery.

I chose to sketch three chairs from different periods of the last century, each of which demonstrate significant aesthetic, structural and material innovation for the time in which they were created.

B4U PROJECT - FURNITURE DESIGN HISTORY