CD.1 Levitate
Furniture Design Study Abroad Copenhagen
Introduction & goal
This project was the result of a study abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. The objective of this study abroad was to design and build a chair based on Danish design principles. Taking inspiration from Danish designers Poul Kjaerholm, Bruno Mathsson, and John Kandell. Danish design reflects minimalistic, functional, and elegant values, my goal was to respect these values.
Process & Experience
This chair required a long design process of being faced with obstacles and finding aesthetic and functional solutions to them. Changing one aspect of the design would usually impact another portion of the chair, leading to the proportions needing to be adjusted frequently. Throughout this project, I was encouraged to follow traditional design methods–using strictly pencil and paper. This was very impactful to me as a designer as I have mostly used 3D CAD software to design and create my works prior to this class.
I had two renowned Danish designers as instructors supporting my work through the design and creation of the chair, Erling Christoffersen and Peter Johansen. It was especially eye-opening for me, working in collaboration with these experienced furniture designers. They enabled the final design of my cantilever chair constructed of wood, leather straps, and steel hardware.
The Outcome
At the end of this project, I had designed and built a chair that I was proud of. It was distinctly different from the rest of the chairs made by my cohort, it felt new and unique, but distinctly Danish. This project expanded my design horizons and new critical design and prototyping skills.
Credits
Design and Fabrication- Chaz Dunselman