I.M.PLY Lounge Chair. Plywood, steel. Development stage: full scale prototype

The objectives for this chair were to create a flat pack piece of furniture with an elegant form, using plywood and CNC cutting technology, which could be assembled and disassembled as needed, while keeping its ecological footprint in mind. Each objective is meant to reinforce the others, strengthening the overall concept resulting in a successful design.

The choice of plywood was made to facilitate the objectives of being flat pack, the ability to be assembled and disassembled, and to provide other future material options such as solid surfacing like Richlite or Corian. The use of durable sheet goods such as high quality plywood and solid surfacing materials will enable a longer lifespan of the product. Keeping products in use for longer periods of time and out of landfills helps to cut down on the amount of waste generated, improving their ecological footprint.  

The chair's ability to be flat packed and assembled and disassembled are an effort to combat single use, disposable furniture. The assembly/disassembly process was designed to be relatively straightforward and intuitive to make moving the chair physically easier. Making the furniture easier to move was done to help accommodate the modern nomadic lifestyle in which moving frequently has become commonplace. If the process of moving is easier and more efficient, people would be more inclined to keep their furniture and bring it with them, helping to break the cycle of buying new furniture and then disposing of it with each move.

The planned use of CNC cutting technology in the manufacturing process is an effort to simplify and streamline production. Greater efficiency in the production phase equals less money spent, which could help diversify the manufacturing locations. The ultimate goal being domestic production wherever the I.M.PLY chair is sold.

With its sweeping lines, intersecting planes and balance between positive and negative spaces the design of the I.M.PLY chair is meant to infuse elegance into a flat pack chair made of utilitarian materials. Injecting style into a category not always known for it is another objective of this project. Emphasizing the aesthetic qualities will serve to elevate the chair which will entice the owner to keep it for a longer period of time. Focusing on the design also enables the chair to pair well with a wide variety of other furnishings and to fit into a broad range of interior styles allowing it to grow with the owner, becoming part of their story and accompanying them along life’s journey.

I.M.PLY Chair Scale Model