Compact living: Solutions in shaped wood veneer laminate

Abstract

In this Master project report I have documented my master project. The report starts off with my initial project description

“How can modular furniture solve the problems that arise with in compact living today and in the future?”

Through my research I understood that there where much more to the term “compact living”. I thought that living in a very small area where compact living. However compact living is to take advantage of the entire volume of space available in a living area. This is done through creative storage solutions, transformer furniture and other clever interior solutions.In the end I identified three key features that identify compact living furniture solutions: Modular, Multifunctional and Mobile.

To validate this research I devised an experiment where I observe and recorded how people furnish a small apartment to understand how people use modules to build furniture solutions that cater for their specific needs.The experiment confirmed the key features for a compact living furniture solution that I had identified earlier. As well as identifying a few new features such as simplicity in construction/deconstruction, Customizations in both shape and colour of the furniture.

“How are these furniture solutions possible to create with pure and recyclable materials, while being esthetically pleasing?” As my main material and manufacturing process I choose shaped laminated veneer. This where a material and a technique which I had not worked with before, but I had always been fascinated of. Parallel with my research I did a simple material experiment to gain insight and experience in the material and the process involved in shaping veneer laminate Through this simple experiment where I tested minimum radiuses of veneer laminate. I familiarised my self with the technique involved and the limits of the material and manufacturing process.

These two experiments and my research results formed the basis of design process where I went on to design a modular furniture system of simple parts that can be connect together without using tools. The system creates sturdy modules or boxes which can be used as simple storage or seating. Theses modules can then be combined in to bigger solutions, which can be entirely customer, fitted to the users livening area. The system is meant to be sold in small bundles off parts so that the user only needs to buy just the parts he need to construct his personal furniture solution.