Unfolding Chair

This design evolved from the expressive curves of the Jugendstil art movement and a personal objective to practice vulnerability and be more open with my loved ones. The molded plywood evokes an unfolding form leaving the sitter upright in an open, welcoming pose.

materials

The choice of wood is a nod to the popular furniture material of the period as well as a contrast to reveal the soft leather cushion it surrounds. The cream leather is a vulnerable material that shows every mark made over continual use, much like the marks relationships leave on us as individuals.

Process

Before landing on a form, I started with many sketches—discovering a simple line movement that connected to my chair's narrative. As I explored how this line could be turned into a three-dimensional form, I took inspiration from the furniture design of Charles and Ray Eames. Before turning my design over to a renderer, I drew elevations by hand using a compass to specify the curves. I also had the opportunity to try my design out on a 3D printer.