This project was a challenge in using new materials and processes. I wanted to work with steel and expand my limited knowledge of welding while creating a chair that celebrates its functionality as well as the materials used.
Inspiration
Design inspiration came from Donald Knorr, William Katavolos, and David Colwell. Their simplistic approach to design was expressed by their use of thin steel frames with seats made of thin materials like acrylic, leather, and sheet metal.
Ideation
These concepts were narrowed down to a simple box-frame featuring a leather seat suspended within that frame. A 12-degree bend was added to the base of the chair to allow it to rest in an upright position or a reclined position. This feature makes the chair dynamic and adds a bit of playfulness to the design as reclining the chair gives you the feeling of balancing a four-legged chair on its two back legs.
Construction
The frame is constructed of .625” square steel rod. The solid steel rod gives the frame structure and rigidity while maintaining a thin aesthetic. The frame is also fully welded and painted with black enamel for a durable finish. As previously mentioned, the seat is made of leather. After experiencing sag from using a solid piece of leather—which affected the seat height and overall ergonomics—I transitioned to weaving 1.25” wide vegetable tanned leather straps. Each 2 mm thick strap is looped around the frame and woven into a basket weave pattern. Together, these straps form a solid seat that has a slight amount of suspension under load. The back rest is also leather. It wraps around the frame and is fastened with two screws on each side. The backrest also feature a leather handle for easily sliding the chair around a room.
Execution
The chair can set in either position due to weight distribution and the placement of the bend in the bottom rails. A slight lean backward places your body weight over the rear bend of the bottom rails and the chair reclines. Lean forward and the chair sits upright. The wide armrests allow you to feel as if you’re sitting in a chair rather than on a chair. The angle of the armrest matches the angle of the bend in the bottom rails.
Once the chair was complete, I was invited to show it in the Louisiana State University Museum of Art with The Art of Seating exhibition. It was an honor to show my work alongside other chairs that inspired me throughout this project.
