Wilsonart International is one of the the leading producers of laminate surfaces in the world. Servicing residential and commercial markets, Wilsonart products are plentiful and have many surface applications.
Wilsonart International annually hosts the “Student Chair Competition”, held at a different collegiate design program each year. In 2008, at California State University of Long Beach, design students were requested to submit chair concepts based on sample laminate chips.
These sample chips have become icons of their industry as they bridge the gap between client and manufacturer; not to mention their ubiquitous residence among architecture and furniture design firms.
The following are sketches and renderings from the project...
Wilsonart International annually hosts the “Student Chair Competition”, held at a different collegiate design program each year. In 2008, at California State University of Long Beach, design students were requested to submit chair concepts based on sample laminate chips.
These sample chips have become icons of their industry as they bridge the gap between client and manufacturer; not to mention their ubiquitous residence among architecture and furniture design firms.
The following are sketches and renderings from the project...
Rubik’s Cube
Based on how laminate installers learn to cut and apply the material to simple surfaces. Each installer is given a MDF cube to be covered with laminates of different colors and textures.
Based on how laminate installers learn to cut and apply the material to simple surfaces. Each installer is given a MDF cube to be covered with laminates of different colors and textures.
Lamination
The layering effect of laminate materials. Each time someone sits in the chair, the outer layer compresses onto the frame.
The layering effect of laminate materials. Each time someone sits in the chair, the outer layer compresses onto the frame.
Currency
A comparative representation of national currencies. None touching, yet influencing one another.
A comparative representation of national currencies. None touching, yet influencing one another.
Duality
Representing the two sides of laminate material. The space between the chair and chaise is for storing reading materials.
Representing the two sides of laminate material. The space between the chair and chaise is for storing reading materials.
Logo
The Wilsonart International logo modified and extruded but not abstracted so much that it cannot be recognized.
The Wilsonart International logo modified and extruded but not abstracted so much that it cannot be recognized.
Boolean Circles
Looking at the sample chips in a pile on my desk, I could see the chain holes overlapping. This concept came from a manipulation of that memory.
Looking at the sample chips in a pile on my desk, I could see the chain holes overlapping. This concept came from a manipulation of that memory.
Miniachaire
The idea of building a miniature chair completely from the sample chips. It would then be scaled up, with an actual structural substrate, to create a full size model.
The idea of building a miniature chair completely from the sample chips. It would then be scaled up, with an actual structural substrate, to create a full size model.
Abstrusion
An abstracted extrusion of the sample chip, keeping a thin profile, representative of the material itself.
An abstracted extrusion of the sample chip, keeping a thin profile, representative of the material itself.
Rollers
Moving the laminate during production is carried out by massive rollers and pulleys, bending and contorting the long strips of material in preparation for its next phase.
Moving the laminate during production is carried out by massive rollers and pulleys, bending and contorting the long strips of material in preparation for its next phase.
Sample Chain
A more literal interpretation of the sample chain and chips.
A more literal interpretation of the sample chain and chips.
Kammy
An admired professor, Mr. Kammermier, passed away during this competition. This chair was sketched up in his memory. He was a straightforward, no nonsense sort of person; a quality I tried to give the chair. He also happened to don an eye patch.
An admired professor, Mr. Kammermier, passed away during this competition. This chair was sketched up in his memory. He was a straightforward, no nonsense sort of person; a quality I tried to give the chair. He also happened to don an eye patch.
Azumi
A bar stool inspired by the works of Tomoko Azumi.
A bar stool inspired by the works of Tomoko Azumi.
Tractor Seat
Everybody's got a random.
Everybody's got a random.
Continuity
The retaining hole in the sample chip is called the racetrack. The continuous nature of a racetrack was the inspiration for having looping legs without ends.
The retaining hole in the sample chip is called the racetrack. The continuous nature of a racetrack was the inspiration for having looping legs without ends.
Mother
An immediate inverse representation of the sample chain & sample chip relationship; the chain/node is encompassed by the chip in this case. On a deeper level, the protective relationship between a mother and child...
An immediate inverse representation of the sample chain & sample chip relationship; the chain/node is encompassed by the chip in this case. On a deeper level, the protective relationship between a mother and child...
