Arch: A Simple and Homogenous Chair and Stool Design

Breaking Down Furniture to its Essence

The inspiration behind Arch came from the desire to create a simple and characteristic piece of furniture using cost-effective and simple production methods and materials. With limited access to a full-scale workshop, Glazebrook turned to CNC routing to prefabricate the furniture with low cost, high precision, and the ability to create curved shapes.

The design of Arch is based on simple and repetitive forms, rules, and shapes. Five identical arches are used to create the legs and backrest of the chair, while the stool is made from three half arches that connect in the center. This approach gives the furniture a cohesive and harmonious appearance.

The production process of Arch involves carving laminated pine wood with a CNC router, gluing the pieces together, and staining them black. To ensure durability, the chair's backrest is reinforced with a wooden piece along the top, laid with opposite fiber direction. The curves of the chair not only add visual interest but also strengthen the furniture at its most fragile points. The pieces of the chair and stool are connected with wooden dowels and glue, ensuring stability and longevity.

Arch's technical specifications include a laminated wooden plate that is 26mm thick. The wooden legs of the chair are 40mm thick, with a total height of 860mm and a width of 420 x 420mm. The seat height is 456mm. The stool has a height of 426mm, leg width of 40mm, and a seat diameter of 318mm, which is carved from the backrest of the chair.

Glazebrook's design philosophy for Arch is to break down the chair into its main components - legs, seat, and backrest - and treat them equally. By repeating and using the same dimensions, shapes, materials, joints, and surfaces, the design achieves a sense of balance and harmony.

The project for Arch started in March 2020 and was completed in late May 2020. Throughout the design process, the aim was to create furniture with simple means of production. The use of CNC carved wood was a deliberate choice, allowing for curved shapes without compromising the overall aesthetic of the furniture.

One of the challenges faced during the design process was finding the correct proportions that fit within the size of the laminated wooden board. It was important to create interesting shapes that looked well from all sides while using only 90-degree connections. Additionally, achieving stability without over-dimensioning the chair was a delicate balance to strike.

Arch, designed by Edvard Glazebrook, is a testament to the power of simplicity and innovation in furniture design. Its unique and homogenous expression, achieved through repetitive forms and logical rules, sets it apart from other chair and stool designs. With its cost-effective production methods and materials, Arch demonstrates that great design can be accessible to all.

Arch was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category in 2021. This prestigious award recognizes designs that exhibit strong technical and creative skills, contributing to quality of life improvements and making the world a better place.