Exploration of materiality in furniture design

• Main Author: Pek, Shun Ping
• Other Authors: Ina Conradi Chavez
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: DRNTU::Visual arts and music::Design::Product
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/63316
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

What could be questioned in the matter of definition in materiality is the physical quality/matter and perhaps more. As mentioned, the idea of materiality is closely related to the idea of the inherent quality, this idea is can be translated into that of a physical quality in which associations like strength, weight, texture, opacity and more are linked to. Beyond the physical, can materials evoke a sense of weightlessness, archetype, nostalgia or feeling? The purpose of this research is to consider the integration of the essential characteristics of material with that of design methods and translate it into a product that would preserve is essentials and possibly create new meaning in design methodology and how material could serves as a important point of departure in design. In exploring the concept of materiality, different works of designers were looked into to forge a more in depth comprehension. Designers like George Nakashima, Shiro Kuramata and Alva Alto used materials to convey and denote the their intent and precise choice of materials allows for the extension in the idea of materiality and also serves as a guiding principle in the direction of the whole project. The basis of the project is on materials and a specific material was chosen to explore in order to focus and better facilitate the design process. The design is focused around the interest in bamboo in its myriad of desirable characteristics and the rich history of how bamboo is used as a raw material. With materiality in mind, design is based off the outcome of experimenting and testing of various methods in working with the material, bamboo. The experimentation began with the basic understanding of the material through different process to manipulate and resulting in able to produce different forms and structures. The experimenting process will be a direct input to the design methodology and serves as the basis for the final outcome.The varied interpretation of materiality creates an amalgamation of possible directions that this project could address, which would allow ample space in exploration and innovation. This model could possibly serve as an efficient and effect way of designing and have better outcome with material as an integral part of design consideration.