Seating in the Meadow

FURNITURE DESIGN 3 SEATING IN THE MEADOW IAID 814 | FALL 2023 | RICHARD THOMPSON

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

OVERALL SITE CONTEXT PROJECT GOALS CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT THE SUNNY SITE THE GROUP SITE THE NEW SITE 2

4 6 8 10 26 42 3

OVERALL SITE CONTEXT

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THE GROUP SITE

THE SUNNY SITE

THE NEW SITE

PROJECT GOALS

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SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE MEADOW - increase engagement with the meadow by providing seating elements that can be engaged with in a variety of ways, making them more useful to the users (seating position, alternate furniture types...etc) - increase engagement and awarness with the meadow by creating furniture that draws people in, by creating mystery and opportunities for discovery - create distinct seating elements for each space, while having some degree of cohesion across the spaces (low visual clutter, while catering to the opportunities within each space)

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PROMOTE PERSONAL WELL-BEING (PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HUMAN NEEDS) - provide additional comfort and choice for the users, beyond a typical park bench - choice over their level of interaction with the site or people

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CREATE FURNITURE THAT IS UNIQULEY SITE DRIVEN - create furnishings that balance the idea of novelty and visual cohesion with the context - if its art, its designed for the place - create furniture pieces that interact with the existing sites and make the meadow experience “better”

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SHOW THE COMMUNITITY OUR ABILITIES (APDESIGN, IAID, AND YOU) - show the community our ability to design innovative and compelling design solutions

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CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT: Bridge of Duality GEOMETRIC

ROUNDED GEOMETIC

ORGANIC

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The overarching concept was derieved from the groups goals to create pieces of furniture that contrasted forms of rigidity and fluidity through materials and the overall design.

Additionally, the concept was designed to create this evolution of form throughout the furniture installations to provide users with varying experiences. The pieces as a collection define this concept of contrasting forms but each piece itself creates its own definition of contrasting rigidity and fluidity through execution.

Upon entering the meadow, users are met with a very geometic furniture piece. As the users progress further into the meadow and its experience, the furniture pieces begin to evolve to more organic forms visually narating this evolution of form and concept.

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SUNNY SITE 10

EMORY AST 5TH YEAR IA STUDENT

KARIS SANDIN 5TH YEAR IA STUDENT

ISABELLE URE 5TH YEAR IA STUDENT

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SUNNY SITE

SITE LOCATION

Called the sunny site for a reason - this spot receives little shade throughout the day.

Therefore, the design accounts for heavy sun exposure as well as short-term seating positions. This site acts as a resting point along the path and is used more frequently in colder seasons than the other sites.

The leading initiative for this project was to create a dual access point along the bench to allow for views through the meadow or onto the path. The goal was to create intentional clusters of seating arrangements for varied experiences, including feeling fully immersed in the meadow. The rounded geometry acts as a transition between the other two installations, one with a geometric form while the other more organic. The wood pattern on this bench represents the flow of water around river stones which is expressed through the concrete base pieces.

SITE PLAN 12

DESIGN ITERATIONS

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FINAL MODEL

FINAL MODEL PERSPECTIVE 14

Wood Flow

Abstracted Flowers

Hidden Structure 15

FINAL MODEL

PERSPECTIVE IN CONTEXT

FRONT VIEW 16

TOP VIEW

CONNECTION DETAIL

ELEVATION 17

FINAL MODEL - DIMENSIONS

PLAN VIEW DIMENSIONS

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FRONT VIEW DIMENSIONS

SIDE VIEW DIMENSIONS

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FABRICATION PROCESS

EXPLODED AXON 20

STEP 1: sew bags for concrete forms

STEP 2: create jig for each concrete pour & keep metal in place

STEP 3: pour concrete, let set, disassemble & remove bag

STEP 4: repeat 10 times for 11 pieces total

STEP 5: plane down wood, cut to size & trim angles

STEP 6: cut & bend metal frame pieces

STEP 7: line up metal with drawings for accuracy

STEP 8: cut and tack together inside metal pieces

STEP 9: weld 3 frame pieces & inside metal pieces

STEP 10: plasma cut metal backs and tabs

STEP 11: STEP 12: assemble frame & sand & apply wood tabs for connection finish to concrete 21

FINAL PRODUCT

FINAL PRODUCT PERSPECTIVE 22

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FINAL PRODUCT

FINAL PRODUCT PERSPECTIVE

FINAL PRODUCT PERSPECTIVE 24

METAL PATTERN DETAIL

CONCRETE PATTERN DETAIL

WOOD TO METAL DETAIL

METAL TO CONCRETE DETAIL 25

GROUP SITE 26

ALLISON CHAMBERS 5TH YEAR IA STUDENT

HALEY COMBS 5TH YEAR IA STUDENT

HANNAH HARRIS 5TH YEAR IA STUDENT

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GROUP SITE

The central site of the meadow is large and accomodates small group settings. This site rests in full shade for most of the day and needs to maintain clear circulation through the middle.

SITE LOCATION

In order to design for this site, our group has created a system which allows for each to have a hand-made quality, as well as a level of variation between pieces. Ideally creating 2 of each variation to fill the site and allowing for individual’s flexibility and choice. Each piece is weighted by concrete mass, supported by steel vertical structure, and provides a softened wood touch point for each seat and back. Multiple small pieces within the site encourage and accommodate group settings as well as a comfortable atmosphere for individual use.

SITE PLAN 28

DESIGN ITERATIONS

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FINAL DESIGN

FINAL MODEL PERSPECTIVE 30

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FINAL MODEL

FINAL MODEL PERSPECTIVE 32

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FINAL MODEL

PERSPECTIVE IN CONTEXT

FRONT VIEW 34

TOP VIEW

ELEVATION OR DETAIL RENDERS

ELEVATION OR DETAIL RENDERS 35

FINAL MODEL

PERSPECTIVE IN CONTEXT

FRONT VIEW 36

TOP VIEW

ELEVATION OR DETAIL RENDERS

ELEVATION OR DETAIL RENDERS 37

FINAL MODEL

PERSPECTIVE IN CONTEXT

FRONT VIEW 38

TOP VIEW

ELEVATION OR DETAIL RENDERS

ELEVATION OR DETAIL RENDERS 39

FINAL MODEL - DIMENSIONS

BACKED SEAT - OVERALL DIMENSIONS All final dimensions should be based on the CNC cut casting jigs to maintain accurate measurements fit to concrete forms, dimensions may vary throughout fabrication process.

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SMALL SEAT - OVERALL DIMENSIONS Variations of each piece can be made, as different depths of concrete can be casted, the the height of the feet may vary between 1 and 2 inches.

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FINAL MODEL - DIMENSIONS

DONUT STOOL / SIDE TABLE - OVERALL DIMENSIONS Similar to other pieces in the set, dimensions may vary. Added depth of concrete, or varied heights of table/seat surface may be used if more pieces are desired or needed.

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SET FRONT ELEVATION

SET SIDE ELVATION

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FABRICATION PROCESS

STEP 1: Use 3D model to CNC cut all casting and welding jigs, and foam inserts

STEP 6: Sand blast any rough metal, mark and bend according to each pieces requirements

STEP 11: EXPLODED AXONS 44

Test fit all metal frames with matching concrete and wood seats and backs

STEP 2:

STEP 3:

STEP 4:

STEP 5:

Cut all metal rod for casting concrete, leave extra length for bending later

Use bag templates to sew all casting bags, add handles to be clamped when casting

Set up all jigs, clamped and supported, mix concrete to pour into mold

Dismantle jigs carefully, remove set concrete from bags, remove foam inserts

STEP 7:

STEP 8:

STEP 9:

STEP 10:

After all bends, trim down all rod to exact lengths on each end, varying lengths per piece as desired

Use rhino linework to plasma cut all steel tabs and additional structural supports

Test fit all rod pieces in coordinating welding jigs, align and set up connecting structure and tabs

Weld all sets of metal rod using jigs, let cool before removing jig, weld tabs into place carefully aligned

STEP 12:

STEP 13:

Cut down all wood planks according to final dimensions, leaving extraa length for overhanging tabs

Sand and apply finish suitable for outdoor use, secure each set to plasma cut steel ring structure

STEP 14:

STEP 15:

Secure final metal structures into concrete using embedded all-thread where needed (donut piece)

Drop concrete in place, drill and secure all wood into places aligning with tabs

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FINAL PRODUCT

FINAL PRODUCT

FINAL PRODUCT PERSPECTIVE 46

T PHOTO HERE

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FINAL PRODUCT

FINAL PRODUCT SET

FINAL PRODUCT SET 48

CONCRETE TEXTURE

SEAM ALIGNMENTS

WOOD TO METAL CONNECTION

BACKREST CONNECTION 49

NEW SITE

PAYTON CASTLEBERRY 5TH YEAR IA STUDENT

ELIZABETH INMANN-HALL 5TH YEAR IA STUDENT

HANNAH KLIPPENSTEIN 5TH YEAR IA STUDENT 50

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NEW SITE

SITE LOCATION

This site was chosen to entice people walking by into the meadow and to provide a place to rest or wait as the location is near where six main paths along campus converge.

The site location was found to be primarily shady as there are two large trees directly adjacent to the sites location.

The final design is for the new site on the northern side of the meadow. The design intention for this is to become a discovery point of the meadow itself, drawing in people who are walking by. This seating element has three aspects, one side being on the outskirts of the meadow, the middle being a perch or a ‘cornerstone’, and the last side residing within the meadow. Creating different options for seating gives the users the choice to take a rest alongside the path, perch in the middle, or become completely immersed within nature of the meadow.

SITE PLAN 52

DESIGN ITERATIONS

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FINAL MODEL

FINAL MODEL PERSPECTIVE 54

THE CANTILEVER an area made for vegetation to fill the voids and make the furniture part of the meadow

THE PATTERN the wood was designed to follow the idea of waving tall grass giving the wood its angular pattern

THE PERCH a place to rest for a short period of time, or an arm rest, or a table

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FINAL MODEL

PERSPECTIVE IN CONTEXT

FRONT VIEW 56

TOP VIEW 57

FINAL MODEL - DIMENSIONS

15 5/8”

10” 1” 1 1/2”

6 1/2” 1 1/2” 7 1/2”

FRONT RIGHT SIDE VIEW

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1” 1” 1 1/2”

2”

B B A A B B B B A A B B

16”

5”

BOARD ‘A’

A A B B B B A A B B B B A A B B

2”

WOOD TOP VIEW 16” 4 7/8” 2 1/4” 3 3/4” 2 1/4” 4”

4 3/16”

4 7/8”

2 1/4”

3 3/4”

2 1/4”

4 3/16”

BOARD ‘B’

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FINAL MODEL - DIMENSIONS 11”

3’ 6”

5’

1’ 6”

4’ 8”

1’ 4”

11”

7’

METAL TOP VIEW

7’

6 1/2” 1 1/2” 3’

METAL FRONT VIEW 60

CONCRETE PERSPECTIVE VIEW 1”

3’

9”

1”

CONCRETE TOP VIEW

1 1/2”

6”

CONCRETE FRONT VIEW 61

FABRICATION PROCESS

EXPLODED AXON 62

STEP 1 Cut out pieces (wood) plane and join

STEP 2 Form concrete

STEP 3 Cut out pieces (metal) fit to concrete

STEP 4 Cut down and shape wood

STEP 5 Weld metal frames

STEP 6 Grind down welds

STEP 7 Router and sand wood

STEP 8 Attach metal back

STEP 9 Shape and attach metal tabs for concrete

STEP 10 Apply finish to wood and let sit for 24hrs

STEP 11 Dry fit concrete and metal

STEP 12 Dry fit wood and metal

STEP 13 Align and pre-drill wood

STEP 14 Attach wood to metal

THE FINAL PRODUCT 63

FINAL PRODUCT

FINAL PRODUCT

FINAL PRODUCT PERSPECTIVE 64

T PHOTO HERE

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FINAL PRODUCT

FINAL PRODUCT PERSPECTIVE 66

DETAILS

DETAILS

DETIALS

DETAILS 67