Fall 2010, Structural Design Build Course Fullscreen
INSTRUCTOR: Elizabeth English, Heinrich Koller (University of Waterloo)
COLLABORATOR: Zak Fish
*FEATURED ON:
Come Up To My Room
Apartment Therapy
MoCo Loco
anonymous.D
PROJECT BRIEF
Sol LeWitt’s early wall drawings were based on finite series of what he termed “simple” lines (lines drawn in one of four basic directions: vertical, horizontal, diagonal left, and diagonal right), as well as “superimposed” lines (the four simple lines layered on top of each other). By superimposing the lines in a sequential manner, as seen in Wall Drawing 56, the artist produced progressively darker gradations of tone. Lines in Four Directions reflects Lewitt’s primary interest in the system used for making art, which determines the form his art takes. To emphasize this concept, Lewitt limits his visual vocabulary to basic geometric shapes and often restricts his color palettes.
Inspired by Sol LeWitt’s conceptual art of orthogonal linear geometry, these chairs synthesize successive combinations of horizontal and vertical lines in multiple configurations. The sculpted backrests on the chairs are designed to provide an ergonomic support while the notched geometry allows the two chairs to interlock in multiple configurations. The series of horizontal and vertical profiles overlap producing new patterns in each configuration, in homage to the wall drawings of Sol LeWitt.
Constructed from CNC cut plywood profiles, they can be mass produced while allowing them to be flat packed and shipped before assembly. The friction joint design allows the chairs to be built without mechanical fasteners. The current chairs are a prototype in the iterative design process working towards a model to be produced for the public. Investigating in the next step towards selling the chairs in stores, Harry and Zak are looking for manufacturing partners to help bring the chairs into production.
The SLW Chairs was selected to be exhibited at the annual CUTMR (Come Up To My Room) exhibition at the Gladstone Hotel. And was recipient of 2nd Prize in the NoNonymous Designer Competition.
STUDY MODELS
PHOTOS
ORTHOS AND CALCULATIONS
CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
Material
3/4” 11-Plies Plywood Baltic Birch.
Two 5’x5’ sheets were used on the CNC cutter. 51 pieces were cut out in total, the entire cutting process took one and a half day.
Sanding
The sanding process took three days, each piece was initially roughly sanded on the belt sander and palm sander. After the rough passes on the machines, all the pieces are then hand sanded sand papers going up from 80 grits to 220 grits.
Finishing
The end grains were individually stained with a Dark Walnut staining to create contrast with the face, all the pieces are then sealed with two coats of polyurethane. 600 grits sand paper were used for the final finish before gluing. The staining and sealing process was completed over two days.
