Materials
Message

 

 

 

     

Process

 

Design starts with drawing. Before ideas are on paper they can't be judged or refined.

 
I was thinking about sustainability. Besides architecture, the largest physical investment everyone must make is in furniture. Is there a way to make it more efficient? Some research indicated yes: reconfigurability.
 

Soon there are details that can't be resolved in theory - time to make a prototype.

 
Eventually I hit upon a panel-based system with integrated connection points. This quick and dirty model proved that aluminum is strong enough to meet the design requirements.

 

Next the idea must be polished up and put in front of the public.

 
I produced a set of the panels and set up a show in a gallery. 60 panels produced a shelf (not pictured) a couch, three different tables, and two chairs.

 

Input from the masses will highlight unexpected successes.

 
The whole project fit into its own tidy box, dramatically illustrating the ease of transporting this type of furniture.

John Pomara, my thesis advisor, pushed me to try something more sculptural (right), which I hadn't planned for.

 

Take successes and failures into account and go back to the drawing board.

 
The basic idea of generating infinite variation with a small amount of material was vindicated.
The next idea (click on the image for more details) aims to increase bearing loads and decrease assembly time.

 

 

 

 

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