For me there has always been something about a chair with a wooden backrest that stands out. I feel wooden furniture in general has more personality and creates more of a connection between the product and user. This is due to individuality and personality found in every plank of wood. It’s this uniqueness and personality that makes the product special
As a backrest receives more interaction with the user than any other part of the chair this is the area where that connection is most prevalent. However solid wood backrests in general are high in cost and high waste to produce.
In this project I looked to find a new solution to this problem through a tradition technique. Using steam bending I was able to create a backrest that could mimic the same curves as one carved from a solid block out of a single plank of ash. This method is far quicker cheaper and less labour intensive.
The frame bellow is designed to mimic the natural curves of the backrest. I wanted the backrest to be there hero of the product, by polishing the frame it actually reflects the backrest showcasing it whilst allowing the rest of the frame to blend with its environment.
