FLORE
Inspired by one of the mystical traditions of India; The bed of nails.
The Brief
Design an innovative item of furniture that fully exploits the qualities/opportunities of CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing), considering the relationship between this and the digital creation (CAD) and exploring the design opportunities these technologies offer.
Concept 1 - Ergonomic Distribution
A sculptural chair which makes the user question it's use, until it is sat in. The material quality of the wire will make it possible for the chair to morph to its user. A design which will make use of the CNC qualities of a wire bender.
Concept 2 - Organic modification
Inspired by the adaptable movements of water, this coffee table has an organic approach to holding food. With a variety of dips, ridges and textures, it is a surface on which the user can serve finger food at social gatherings.
Exploration and Experimentation
Using a combination of Maya and Fusion360 to create organic moulds of which the chair could be formed onto.
Experimenting with nparticles in Maya and releasing them along a modelled path. Adjusting the scene environment produces a variety of outcomes.
The ncloth tool in Maya was used to drape over a form - modelled from a diagram of the human back posture. The ncloth was then taken into Meshmixer to segment.
3D Iteration and Development
Flat form is modelled in Fusion, it is made up of 48 stems all different lengths.
Mould for flat form to drop onto. It has been modelled using the form of the human back.
Using nCloth simulations in Maya, the flat form drapes over the mould to take up it's new 3D form.
This executes control over the fabrication of the model as well as having an element of computed fabrication. Combining digital and physical skills.
Combining the physical material qualities with the environment settings to get the quality I wanted.
The new raw form is taken back into fusion and each stem is traced and made into individual files.
The base of the chair is inserted into the design. The ring-shaped base holds each stem in place.
Using physics simulations, a 2D form is draped over a 3D model
The 3D model is digitally crafted to fit the contour of a human back
Base Iterations
Transformation with Recline
Manufacturing Drawings
(Applies to all strands)
Forces
Manufacturing Process
Using the CNC Manufacturing techniques of the wire bending machine, each arm of the Flore chair is able to be perfectly crafted
The centre base is laser cut from steel and layered for strength.
The base holds the weight of the user as well as holding each arm in place.
1:1 Prototype
This model was created using water weeper pipe with wire pushed through the middle to give it a moldable quality.
Two 6mm mdf rings were laser cut and glued together to make up the base.
The feet of the chair will be a continuation of the stems.
After creating the 1:1 scale model I realised that the final model will need to be bigger in order for it to make the sculptural imapct desired.
There is movement with each stem which reflects the concept of having a sculptural chair which will slightly bend and move with the users body
The material quality of the wire means that when the user lays back, it will flex to fit the contour of their body
Sit back and
RELAX
PRESSURE IS EQUAL TO FORCE OVER AREA
Renders
1:5 Scale Model
1:1 Section Model
Press
Flore is a reclining chair which explores the CNC capabilities of the wire bender as well as physics simulations. Digitally, the form is created by draping a 2D shape over a 3D mould, which was modelled specifically to fit the arc of the human back. This process combines the serendipitous actions of digital simulation with purposeful modelling and adjustments.
In its resting position, Flore has a sculptural aesthetic which makes the user question whether it is a chair or not. Once sat in, however, the stems of the chair recline with the user’s body weight whilst supporting them in a comfortable fashion.
The centre ring is laser cut from steel and layered to create strength and support. Each stem is threaded through its corresponding hole in the painted steel ring, the outward force holds it together. The base consists of a steel ring which each stem is attached to, this holds the chair’s base for. To strengthen the connection, concrete is laid over top.