Transforming Chair, 2012
Furniture Design, Product Development
Ordinarily, Transforming Chair was an eye-catching high chair, and by
rotating the chair about 90 degrees on the front side, it will become a cozy lounge chair.
Features
1 2 The chair was made of an array of wood and acrylic. When converted it into a high chair, the height was about 76 cm. The seat, designed to have intervals between the wood pieces, which was about 39 cm in width. When it changed into a reclining chair, the seat formed by the acrylic and was about 45cm in width. In whichever way you sit, the width of the seat was just wide enough for you to sit comfortably.
3 To make it fold up easily, two axes ran through it and each piece of the wood had a movable joint. Therefore, when it was not in use, you could pull out the movable shaft above and unbend the wood joints, and it will become flat.
4 5 Small blocks were inserted in the intervals between the acrylic pieces, which made each acrylic piece stayed on the same plane to avoid scattering and displacement; the intervals between the pieces of wood are also inserted with the acrylic pieces, which provided extra comfort for the users when lying on the chair.
6 The oblique angles at the end of the acrylic pieces made the chair legs to be flat and align with the floor, which would make it steadier whether upright or in the lying position. The surface of the acrylic had a matte finish that prevented the fingerprints and scratches remaining on the surface.
Problem
Solution
We spent lots of time sitting on the chair working or even sleeping in daily life. Sitting on the same chair with various positions usually cause discomfort.
What if we only needed a simple amendment to the chair, and we could work and rest on the same chair with comfortable positions afterward.
Concept Development
Model Making and Refinement
In the beginning, the model was a little bit bulky and heavy. After a few weeks of refining, unnecessary part was replaced with a plane and linear structure. The following section was to try several kinds of materials to lighten the visual weight; I have tried metal mesh with steel, fabric with wood, and with transparent acrylic. As a result, I found that the best combination was transparent acrylic with original wood, which calso perfectly symbolizes the handy and modern aspect of the chair.
Trials of Wood Joint
Experiment A
Inlaid butterfly hinges into the wood; the attempt was considered unsuccessful due to the size of the hinge.
Experiment B
Magic tape used; the attempt was considered unsuccessful because it cannot fit in with the wood completely.
Experiment C
Used the traditional inlaying method; it could be inlaid completely and only one axis is used, made it steady and pleasing to the eye. Therefore, this method was adopted.
Model Size (unit mm)
Business Card Design
How to Use
1 Ordinarily, it is an eye-catching high chair.
2 When you are tired of work or want to relax, just turn the chair about 90 degrees on the front side, it will become a cozy lounge chair.
3 When you do not want to use it, take out the steel bar in the pivot and straighten the wood joints, and turn it into an incredibly handy plate.
1:1 Actual Proportion Assembly Process
Scenario
In the living room, transforming chair could be your cozy stool.
Whilst working, transforming chair could be a well-pleasing high chair.
When you need to take a break, transforming chair could be your best lounge chair.