This project was a collaboration with my partner, Tara Ebsworth, as part of course requirements from 4.500—Design Computing. The goal was to create a chair that was easily manufactured out of common materials, and put together only using a rubber mallet.
Our design was inspired by the humble park bench, with simple curves adding optical appeal and inspiring the name—the Icon, because if it’s resemblance to religious icons. The intent of the design was to use as little wood as possible, and to still be comfortable and stylish. We achieved this by using thin slats of plywood that had some give, conforming to the body.
For our final review, we were judged on both aesthetics and comfort, and this dainty little chair held our 6’4”, 220lb instructor comfortably. We were also the only group in the class to produce two chairs from the given materials.
Top – the cut plan for the 4’x8′ plywood. Two chairs fit on one standard piece. Bottom – two elevation diagrams of the chair. 
Fitting the pieces together with a rubber mallet. 
Completed chair, architects for scale. 
The finished chair. 
Close up of friction fit joints. 
Quality testing the final product.
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