Designed with a focus on planar geometry and easily replicable manufacturing techniques, the Split Chair is constructed from two sheets of ¼ inch aluminum. The chair's base is bent twice, with a 68-degree bend at the rear and a 72-degree bend at the front. I carefully selected these angles for the chair to not splay out when sat on, yet obtuse enough to add slight flex when the base is weighted. The angle of the back support, at a 147-degree bend, is designed to provide flex when leaned back on, a free detail due to material choice that adds to the seat's comfort. Using 4 aluminum spacers as standoffs between the base and back support came out of sheer necessity. I needed a way to attach two sheets of aluminum while not drawing the eye away from the simple, uninterrupted side profile that the thin material provides. I machined these spacers from a single aluminum rod and turned them down to a 3/8 in diameter on the lathe. I then cut each spacer to a length of ¾ inches. Countersinking the hardware that fastens into these spacers on the back of the chair, as well as the base, was essential to keep a seamless aesthetic.
