Loft
The Loft stool is the culmination of weeks of discovery, design, and limited run manufacturing. I worked with three other designers on this exploration of material and form. Our final objective was to design and manufacture 10 stools made from 5/16 inch steel rod. We chose felt as our secondary material as it contrasted with the steel but resonated with the form of the stool.
We spent the first couple of weeks exploring and prototyping with copper welding rods to understand how this kind of material reacts.
Next we began exploring the forms we were most interested in, both in 2D and 3D. After many sketches, we noticed recurring elements that began to define what forms we decided to focus on.
Next we explored form using the steel rods. We tested various processes such as cold-bending the steel, heating it up with propane torches, welding, grinding, and creating jigs to form various shapes. We also began to explore the felt. We used sewing, tying, cutting, and eventually casting it in resin to create a form that we liked.
We had to find a way to create the gentle arcs on the bottom of our stool, and found a light post that had the perfect radius. After building a stool using the bends from the light post, we created a jig that would mimic the same radius.
Once we developed our final prototype and process, production began. We used a series of hot and cold bends, jigs, and molds, measuring after each step to maintain level and proportion.
The Loft Stool is a square stool featuring four feet, separated by arches that make the stool feel almost like it’s floating. The top of the stool is made from 100% wool felt that has been hardened with resin that secures the two layers together. The tops also feature a small, embedded rod that allows them to snap onto the frames.
Once we finished producing our limited run of 10 stools, we hosted a sale for the public to view and purchase the stools. It was a huge success and we quickly sold out.
