The stacking multifunction unit, s_3.0, has now been completed!!!
The above image is a collection of the promotional shots taken for this piece.
Photography thanks to Rachael Cunningham, RC Photography.
Shown here are the curved elements of the plywood range. The curved members are made up of 4 layers of 4mm plywood epoxied together around two curved formers.
With the side components all glued up and the locating holes drilled for the dowels. It was now time to apply the finish to all bar the outside elements of each piece. I chose to go with a hard burnishing oil with a dark wax finish over this as this would be the most appropriate for the type of timber and the durability of the piece.
With all the interior components now finished it was time to do the final glue ups for each piece.
The moment of truth for the second of the multifunction themed projects has arrived with the plywood prints completed. I utilised the inkjet research facility at the School of Art’s Print media department for this task and am stoked with the results. I took inspiration for the images from a series of photographs i had taken at Floriade, Canberra’s annual flower show, in mid September.
Shown above are the two smaller units in there nesting option. This element allows the pieces to be stored in the minimal of spaces and also allows for easier shipping and transport.
As a set of four this unit can be stacked to form a shelving unit. The slatted elements act on a practical level as a locator, however on an aesthetical level it offers a harmony between the individual elements to achieve a feeling of wholeness and continuity.
Another option for the five piece set is for a flat screen entertainment unit, with the bench piece providing the location for the flat screen and the shelving providing the storage. These elements can also be used as individual pieces as stools and tables if needed.
Shown above is the joinery detail for the stacking/ nesting shelving unit. The joinery in this image is only dry fit and the final joinery will have concealed dowel locating pins and once assembled a series of mitre keys will be added for structural integrety adding long grain to long grain glueing surfaces.
With all the components and most of the joinery finished i decided to do a dry run of the second smallest unit to judge the aesthetics, scale and usability of the design. The above image shows the piece in its stool option, which is also the shelving option when used in the set.
Shown here is the side table option. I feel that this piece has succeeded in achieving everything it has set out to, its potential to be a commercially viable piece of fine furniture, i believe is great and has endless possibilities with the multiple nature of the set.
Shown above are some quick sketches to demonstrate the multifunction aspect to this piece i have mentioned briefly earlier. In the both these sketches the concept is for the user to purchase three pairs which can be locked together in the following ways:
- The first sketch showing the three larger of the pairs locking together to become one larger coffee table while the three smaller stools remain seperate to be used in and around the newly formed coffee table. An ideal way to gather socially whether eating a meal or playing a board game.
- The Second sketch demonstrates a lounge type arrangement where the three same size pieces are joined length ways creating two seats with a table in between and a book shelf type rack is created under the table.
These next pics are a half scale model of the proposed pair of stool/tables. From making these models the process has influenced the design of the final pieces, hence demonstrating the great importance of model making in my design process.
As promised here are the pics from veneering the outside of the cabinet. To allow me to achieve a harmonious curve t0 the corners i had to take the tension out of veneer and pull it around the sides as i went.
Consulting Rodney, (the head of workshop) we devised an aluminum sheet fixed to a couple of timber batons, the flex in the aluminum sheet was ample to take the veneer around and using another timber baton underneath i could tension the whole unit at once.
All in all the veneering worked a treat with only a couple of minor bubbles to the underside which i will fix by either slicing or injecting the veneer with epoxy and clamping back into place.
The images above are models of the stacking/ nesting shelving, side table and stool that i have previously mentioned. The slated component that acts as the locating function when stacked was inspired by George Nelson’s, Nelson bench.
The idea is for these four plus one larger unit to be sold as a set, nesting to save on transport costs and constructed from solid timber giving it an immediate target audience and price point for the commercial viability of the design.
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furniture fashion
