VÆVET LOUNGER
Combining antique weaving styles with a modern silhouette and materials to create a multifunctional piece of lounge furniture. The geometric shape and build allows for individual comfort and privacy while also providing the option for a conducive group study area when placed in a modular set up.
First rounds of ideation began with broad ideas of creating a multifunctional piece of furniture that would mimic the architecture seen from the inside and outside of the main window of the library. Through placing the sketches into context photograpghs with outside critique, it became obvious that my initial ideas were too bulky and there was too much going on as I was trying to make multifunctional apply to too many facets. Further ideation came in Fusion models and trying to create the lightest silhouette possible while still supporting the pieces through slot joints
A main goal here became the idea and process of creating a piece that would mimic the likes of something found in Ikea where it can have a singular or group use and is easily manufactured, packaged, and put together.
By creating these overlaying pieces that mimic the shape below I was able to start to create the modern silhouette I had in mind but I still needed to address making the piece more lounge like and enjoyable to sit in as well as it being functional. This is when the idea came of milling out the back piece to have a weaving pattern, similar to the Danish weaving style. Combining the styles of classic and modern with a visual asthetic also provided a way to break up the wooden fixture as well as provide a level of comfort.
The next step was building the prototype of the product exactly at a quarter inch scale. Scale drawings created in Fusion 360 and a procedure list were then followed to cut poplar pieces of wood, first to length and shape using table saw and band saw with miter gauges. From there the flat 90 degree slot joints were cut on dado saw and milling machine. After that a jig had to be cut at an 80 degree offset on the table saw so that the angled slot joints could be cut in order to create the angled back. Final milling of the back piece then took place for where the weaving would go.
Considerations to be made in revisions are different choices of wood due to unexpected warping causing slight imperfections in the joining of slots.
The final steps came in the form of textiles with the installation of small eyescrews for the modern weaving method and then a sewn seat cushion. The term "vævet" in Danish translates to woven. The name was chosen for the piece to represent a specific design characteristic as well as the metaphorical sense of weaving together all the elements to create a multifunctional piece of furniture for the Art and Architecutre Library.
