DESIGN NAME: Wave
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Armchair
INSPIRATION: My love for the sea runs deep - I have been sporadically surfing since I was 12 years old. For me, the waves represent the epitome of natural beauty, exuding strength and fluidity in their movement. It was precisely these characteristics that inspired me to create a sculptural piece that emulates the shape of waves. My vision was for this piece to evoke a sense of satisfaction when admired, curiosity when pushing the boundaries of material form, and harmony with the human body in its usability.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Wave Armchair boasts a unique design inspired by the rolling waves of the sea, which are characterized by more volume at the base as they form, before curving and gradually "breaking down" to taper at the ends. The seat and backrest are suspended without touching each other, thanks to a structure entirely composed of fiberglass. The fluidity and movement of the waves are captured in the armchair's design, with the curved base providing a gentle rocking motion.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: The Wave armchair is a sculpted masterpiece that piques curiosity with its unique shape. It evokes a sense of satisfaction when admired and seamlessly harmonizes with the human body during use, thanks to its flexible and adaptive seat. Adding to its appeal, the chair provides a slight swinging motion that enhances comfort. Additionally, the chair boasts remarkable durability, with a weight capacity of over 200kg.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project started in March 2022 in Jaraguá do Sul and finished in January 2023, and was exhibited in a private event for Quorum Home Design in February 2023 in São Paulo, Brazil.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Furniture Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The first prototype was made of plain wood, layer by layer glued all together getting a crudest form. We spent 4 months to get the real shape with all curves, rays, ergonomic and swing aspects. Posteriorly, we started making fiberglass molds using the wood shaped like a counter mold. As it has volume and an unique shape, was necessary five fiberglass molds. Every fiberglass mold gives a different piece of the armchair, which are fixed all together in a process we call lamination. For coating, there is no zipper or staples, only an OKE plastic clip sewn at the cloth, and it's hidden under the seat, making it a cover. The internal part of the cover is made of an specific flexible synthetic leather, flexible to avoid ripples, and exterior with woven fabric, giving a nice contrast.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: L800 mm x D950 mm x H650 mm
TAGS: sculptured design, armchair, modern armchair, furniture design, interior design, experience design, fiberglass, confort
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: Moreover, we have witnessed the emergence of organic and sculptural furniture design, which evokes curiosity and introduces a fresh perspective to interior design. As a designer, I find inspiration in natural elements and shapes, which fuel my creativity. Combining this with my passion for surfing - a sport that fosters a deep connection between humans and nature - I set out to create the Wave Armchair. Through this piece, I aim to capture the essence of my surfing experiences and bring the feeling of being immersed in nature into interior design.
CHALLENGE: I have previously incorporated fiberglass into various furniture products. However, this was the first time that I had to create a product that required molding fiberglass into a three-dimensional volume - a particularly challenging task due to the unique shape of the Wave Armchair. In fact, it took five different molds to successfully produce each armchair during the manufacturing process.
ADDED DATE: 2023-02-28 19:29:31
TEAM MEMBERS (1) :
IMAGE CREDITS: Crystian Freiberger, 2022.
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