1
Cape Chair
Carbon Fiber Fabric (4 yards); Epoxy Resin, Hardener, Filler; 1/2” Steel Tube; Shock Mounts (4)
In designing and fabricating this lightweight chair, I explored carbon fiber as a structural material and a shape-able surface for comfort and support. The single surface of the carbon fiber, contrasted by the rigid steel legs, follows the form of varying double curvatures that respond to structural forces and ergonomics.
Preliminary plywood excercise in collaboration with Max Ouellette-Howitz and Seth Thompson
Carbon Fiber Fabric (4 yards); Epoxy Resin, Hardener, Filler; 1/2” Steel Tube; Shock Mounts (4)
In designing and fabricating this lightweight chair, I explored carbon fiber as a structural material and a shape-able surface for comfort and support. The single surface of the carbon fiber, contrasted by the rigid steel legs, follows the form of varying double curvatures that respond to structural forces and ergonomics.
Preliminary plywood excercise in collaboration with Max Ouellette-Howitz and Seth Thompson
2
Custom Handrail Design and Fabrication Processes
This exploration into a custom-crafted handrail involves two phases. In the first phase, I designed a handrail unconstrained by the material or fabrication requirements of actually producing the component. In my design, the handrail is set into the surface of a wall as if it’s been carved out. A bumpy texture, small and fine at the outermost edge of the rectangular handgrip, grows larger and more distorted as it spreads across the folded metal surface and into the wall cavity. This texture is meant to create visual and tactile surprise and to theatrically question the boundary of the wall and the contents of its poche.
In the second phase, I studied five possible processes for fabricating my design. Each process relies on varying degrees of digital modeling and computer numerated control, and distributes labor, authorship, and craft differently between the architect/designer and the fabricator/artisan. In an era when digital technology empowers the architects to design with nearly infinite customization possibilities, this exploration considers how that empowerment is distributed across the fabrication process. Each set of material and fabrication decisions not only redistributes labor and authorship, but also impacts the final product itself through material thickness, bending radii, connection details, and pattern distribution.
This exploration into a custom-crafted handrail involves two phases. In the first phase, I designed a handrail unconstrained by the material or fabrication requirements of actually producing the component. In my design, the handrail is set into the surface of a wall as if it’s been carved out. A bumpy texture, small and fine at the outermost edge of the rectangular handgrip, grows larger and more distorted as it spreads across the folded metal surface and into the wall cavity. This texture is meant to create visual and tactile surprise and to theatrically question the boundary of the wall and the contents of its poche.
In the second phase, I studied five possible processes for fabricating my design. Each process relies on varying degrees of digital modeling and computer numerated control, and distributes labor, authorship, and craft differently between the architect/designer and the fabricator/artisan. In an era when digital technology empowers the architects to design with nearly infinite customization possibilities, this exploration considers how that empowerment is distributed across the fabrication process. Each set of material and fabrication decisions not only redistributes labor and authorship, but also impacts the final product itself through material thickness, bending radii, connection details, and pattern distribution.
3
Residential Stair, 43 Button Street
As a member of the 2018 Jim Vlock First-Year Building Project summer construction team, I worked to interpret and construct the selected duplex design for Columbus House. One of my projects was to design the stair and guard railing for fabrication. To create the appearance of the stairs floating off of the side of the CLT wall, we attached steel L-brackets to the walls and carved slots into the side of each CLT step. For the railing, we embedded the vertical rods into the steps, so that the rods could be as thin as possible, while resisting the lateral force of a person’s weight.
In collaboration with Max Ouellette-Howitz
Finished photography by Nicole Doan and Zelig Foak
As a member of the 2018 Jim Vlock First-Year Building Project summer construction team, I worked to interpret and construct the selected duplex design for Columbus House. One of my projects was to design the stair and guard railing for fabrication. To create the appearance of the stairs floating off of the side of the CLT wall, we attached steel L-brackets to the walls and carved slots into the side of each CLT step. For the railing, we embedded the vertical rods into the steps, so that the rods could be as thin as possible, while resisting the lateral force of a person’s weight.
In collaboration with Max Ouellette-Howitz
Finished photography by Nicole Doan and Zelig Foak