The aim of this chair was to challenge the traditional concept of a rocking chair. I wanted this design to be sleek and elegant. It’s meant to welcome any body type with its ergonomic curves on the seat and back. The material and overall design allows flexibility making the user ease into the chair.
The objective of this piece was to create a piece of furniture out of one 4 feet by 8 feet sheet of plywood. To accomplish this I used two different types of poplar bendable plywoods. I steamed, bent, layered and laminated three barrel sheets of 1/8 inch material and three column sheets of 1/8 inch material to give it an overall thin, elegant 3/4 inch thickness. One challenge was to have the grain flowing along the bends and still make it strong enough to hold a person’s weight. By layering and alternating the column and barrel sheets I gained strength and rigidity while keeping its flexibility. Half the layers had to be bent with steam and then set in position using molds I designed. To laminate everything together I used a vacuum bag. Some pieces cracked and it required a lot of experimentation to get the perfect rocking motion.
Bio As long as I can remember, I would always think to myself, “I can make that” when looking at some incredible design. I soon realized I didn’t want to reproduce concepts but come up with my own! That’s how my passion for design, woodworking and making began. In my designs I always try to blend function and elegance. However I still try keep in touch with my creativity which relies on my young imagination. Indeed I have always loved making “cool stuff”, first with Legos than with drill-powered electric scooters and now with innovative designs.
Other prizes Honorable mention on the Rockler try that challenge
