DESIGN NAME: Attache
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Folding Stool
INSPIRATION: Normally, there are some problems while using folding furniture. For folding chairs, it can be folded flatly and the seat height is proper, but it’s too long for people to easily carry, especially those who are short. For folding stools, although it’s easy to carry and go, the seat height is too short for people to sit comfortably, especially those who are tall. The goal of Attache is to create a folding seat that is small enough for carrying and high enough for sitting comfortably.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Attache is a portable folding stool that easily transforms into a small, briefcase-like shape when on the go. At 18" high unfolded, Attache provides a comfortable, upright seat when needed. When in transport, the carrying handle locks into place for increased stability and ease. Attache can benefit both tall and short users to have a friendly experience of carrying and sitting. Also, the folding volume is convenient for users like tenants to move and store frequently.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: Flip the folded seat from the back to the front. Then unfold the front and rear legs to stand independently. In the end, lock the seat to the handle with its notch to transform into a high enough stool for both tall and short users. Attache can benefit tall and short users to both have a friendly experience of carrying and sitting. Also, the folding volume is convenient for users like tenants to move and store frequently, especially in New York City, where the tenants are the majority.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project started and finished in New York.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Furniture Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The main body made of maple was produced through CNC processing and handcraft. After hand drilling the holes for pivots and domino dowels, components were clamped to assemble together with wood glue and dowels. The restricted-angle pivots were produced through steel 3D printing, then installed into the holes.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Unfolded, 419.1 mm x 381 mm x 457.2 mm
Folded, 419.1 mm x 495.3 mm x 63.5 mm
Seat, 355.6 mm x 381 mm x 457.2 mm
TAGS: Folding Stool, Furniture, Metal 3D Printing, CNC, Wooden Furniture
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: The initial goal is to design a piece of campaign furniture for tenants, who frequently have to move from place to place. After researching folding furniture, the problems of folding chairs and stools were found to be for users either too tall to carry effortlessly or too short to sit on comfortably. Eventually, with several rounds of iterations, the angle and length of the legs and the pivots were defined precisely to make the stool unfold at the right height and fold in a small volume.
CHALLENGE: The most challenging part is designing and defining the angle-restricted pivots and the angle and length of legs to make the folding stool look neat outside and unfold high enough. In the end, the legs were separated into thighs and calfs to achieve the purpose, saving the volume.
ADDED DATE: 2021-06-24 03:12:43
TEAM MEMBERS (1) :
IMAGE CREDITS: Image #1: Photographer Andy Chang, Unfolded, 2019.
Image #2: Photographer Andy Chang, Folded, 2019.
Image #3: Photographer Andy Chang, Unfold Process, 2019.
Image #4: Photographer Andy Chang, Carry, 2019.
Image #5: Photographer Andy Chang, Sit, 2019.
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