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Aug 2023 - Oct 2023 | 7 weeks
Contoura Chair
The Contoura chair is inspired by the organic forms of nature mixed with a contemporary aesthetic. Its curved, steel legs and bent, wooden seating area blend together to create a calm and elegant form.
Design Research
3D CAD Modeling
Prototyping
Project Type /
University Individual Project
Brief
Students will reflect on their passion/interests in design to create a chair that is aesthetically pleasing and marketable.
Researching Chairs on the Market
Chair Form Studies
Furniture Store Research
I visited the Design Within Reach furniture store in Houston, TX to see what types of chairs were on the market for inspiration. I took notes on the different forms and structures of the chairs that were sold.
Moodboard
Form & Style Inspiration
For the moodboard, I included various design features that i personally loved. I wanted my chair to have an organic, earthy, smooth, and modern form/aesthetic.
Form Exploration
Keeping in Mind the Moodboard
Sketch Concepts
Based on Ideation Sketches
After ideation, I focused on various chair ideas that were based on different forms. I explored the use of certain materials, such as metal tubes, wood, and soft fabrics. I wanted a more earthy and organic form, so I moved forward with concepts 3, 4, and 5.
Refined Concepts
Based on Sketch Concepts
After narrowing down the 3 sketch concepts, I further refined them by building small-scale study models. Analyzing the overall form and aesthetic, I decided to continue developing refined concept 3.
Study Model
One-Fourth Scale
I decided to curve the legs inwards to make them appear more organic. I also added support beams to the legs for stability.
Developing Final Design
Figuring out Final Materials and Details
For the final design, I decided to put cherry veneers over the bent plywood. The curvy forms and smooth transitions give the chair an organic and earthy feel. However, the black, stainless steel legs also give the chair a contemporary aesthetic.
Material List
Fabrication Build Plan
Prototyping Final Model
Contoura Chair
After the design was refined in detail, I quickly went into prototyping a full-scale, functional chair. I used the CNC machine to make the molds. Then, I laminated the bent plywood and veneer sheets and trimmed out the pieces. For the legs, I used the metal benders to bend the steel tubes. Then, I welded the pieces together and ground the edges. I drilled the holes and stained the wood pieces. I painted the metal frames black and added the 3D-printed stoppers and rubber leg tips. Finally, I assembled the chair with screws and dowels.
Organic, Modern, Smooth.
It’s All In The Details
The Contoura Coffee Series
A stylish chair collection that seamlessly blends comfort with a rich color palette inspired by different coffee hues
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