Sponsors: OFS Hot Seat

Dru McKeown

A simple and quick into an investigation of chairs, something that had started by a simple weekend curiousity days before it was even realized this competition was taking place.

TOI1

An experiment in material honesty toi1 utilizes slats to express wood’s inherent strength.  Simple and direct, constructed of only two materials with visible fasteners this simple chair creates a complex language of both strength and felicity.  Physically honest and warm the straight lines allow a formal dialogue which contrasts comfortably with the soft overall shape of the seat and back.  The darkness of the material accents the semi-transparent nature that is the strength of this chair’s construction.

TOI2

Soft and simple, a bent wood form, sideways ribs, connected and controlled by interior rods, this modular piece creates simple seating for one or can be grouped together to form a larger bench.   Toi2 can be used as an ottoman or small table as well as a chair.

TOI3

Playing on wood’s flexibility and elasticity toi3 utilizes thin bent wood forms sandwiched around a thin metal strips for strength.  By cantilevering at two points, toi3 allows the seat to move with the occupant while keeping their center of gravity over the base.  A bridge across the front of the legs secures the base laterally while giving the occupant a place to rest their feet when sitting forward such as at a desk or table.

The expression as one solid material gives the piece more visual strength which contrasts to the implied flexibility from a profile view.