Silver Furniture

Silver Furniture is a table and chair collection designed to complement one another. Each piece of furniture utilizes aluminum as a visual accent and structural reinforcement. The incorporation of compound curves and subtle features brings energy to a form that may seem monolithic at first.

Through this work, I wanted to create something that raises more questions than answers: anyone can design a chair–but as a one-off collection, how can I design furniture pieces that are equally comfortable and intriguing to look at?

  • 12 weeks

  • African Mahogany, Aluminum extruded tube, African Cherry, Aluminum sheet, Bandsaw, 3-axis CNC, Sandblasting Machine, Drill Press, Planar, Jointer, Sandblasting Machine

  • Industrial Designer, Carpentry

Table Ideation Through Sketching

The project first began with designing the table and then the chair. As you can see from the sketches to the right, I wanted to create subtle, monolithic forms that incorporate two core materials–wood and aluminum. 

Ideating the Chair with the Table

With the table fabricated, I sketched out different designs for the chair that would complement the table. What forms would carry the language of the table without it being too similar or different?

The aluminum would also be used in the chair–a simple way to marry the two together. However, I wanted the aluminum to become a structural component rather than just a decorative element.

Seat Rest Ergonomics

A chair needs to be comfortable. Therefore, during the form ideation, I used the communal jig to test 7 different seat rest positions, each with +1" increments. It is important to note that during this test, the back rest was constant, placed at an "average" height. The seat height was also constant–measurements pulled from a low shaker chair around the studio.

Backrest Ergonomics

The backrest test was similar to the one above: 5 different backrest positions, each with +1" increments. I was looking for the perfect spot to support the upper lower back and prevent slouched shoulders and bent lower backs. It is important to note that during this, the seat rest was set to Position #3, which was the most comfortable.

Chair Design Refinement

With the ergonomics dialed in, I sketched some variations within some concepts I resonated with. The aluminum component on the chair is a direct vertical flip of the table leg design, utilizing compound curves to evoke subtlety but also carry energy and personality.

Fabrication Sketches

Fabrication sketches were necessary to understand better how the furniture would come together. As carpentry and woodworking are different from the typical workflow of CAD, a lot of time was spent breaking down the components to cartesian fabrication methods.

1/4 Scale Model

1/4 scale models were necessary to understand how the parts would come together and to see the drawings in physical form. As you can see, I created modular model sets to save time and allow for faster prototyping and iterations.

Prepping & Testing the Aluminum

As there are various ways to finish the aluminum (brushed, sandblasted, buffed), I used a test piece to try out multiple options to see and feel before moving forwards. After testing, I found the brushed and buffed finish too distracting with the wood, so I went for a fine-grit sandblasting option.

Full-Scale Model

Full-Scale models were made to try out joinery methods and see the proportions in physical form. Actualizing something from drawing to 1/4 scale to full scale has a different response that helps inform the next steps.

Fabrication Images

Here are some more fabrication images to show the steps necessary for designing, machining, and putting together the two silver furniture pieces.