KYLE POINTER
Product Design
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First Place Winner for ARUP FMP
Whilst studying my Foundation Diploma the Final Major Project was sponsored by engineering company ARUP. My Chair design was selected by ARUP as the joint 1st place design for its detail and scale of work produced in the time given. My design takes the issue of rapid expansion and offers a counter solution. By allowing my three components to pack together when not in use, I have arguable halved the space required. The footstool can slide beneath the seat with the coffee table sat on top. Taking this concept further could lead to more compact furniture, meaning people can live comfortably in more compact housing.
The main body of the chair was constructed with timber framing and plywood. I sourced timber from a local wood yard and measured out all the pieces I would need and cut them in my garden. I constructed the frame in college with a nail gun. I then nailed on flat faces of plywood to every face and used sanded poly filler in between the joints. Two coats of primer and a coat of tank grey fence paint give it an industrial concrete look to compliment the large blocks of material.
To make the legs and arms of the chair I chose to use laser cut plywood. I used CAD to produce each component and make small mock up models to make sure the pieces would fit. The legs are made of three spines that have a track running along the inside and outside. Two connecting pieces are used almost like a domino joint to connect the four pieces to make the full arm/leg.
The proportions of each individual piece have been carefully considered to complement each other whilst set up as three pieces, but also to fit together properly when packed away. The footstool can be stored beneath the seat of the chair whilst the coffee table can be placed on the seat. Each piece fits perfectly in its respective space leaving a smooth flowing form and more room for the user.