Tangent Chair: Redefining Elegance and Simplicity

An Innovative Blend of Geometry and Plywood

The inspiration behind the Tangent Chair was to create a seating piece that uses geometry to display its beauty through the union of its elements and materials. By embracing its own design principles, the chair's geometry and elements are beautifully blended together, resulting in a truly unique and eye-catching piece.

What sets the Tangent Chair apart from others is its innovative use of plywood and traditional fabrication techniques. The chair is made from three layers of bending plywood that are cross-laminated and adhered with epoxy. This construction ensures both lightness and simplicity in appearance, while also retaining rigidity and strength.

The production process for the Tangent Chair began with the finalization of the double curve design. The molds were milled using a CNC machine and prepared for the bending process. The layers of bending plywood were soaked for additional flexibility and then adhered together with epoxy. The material was bent through cross lamination to strengthen the wood and sanded for a smooth finish. Finally, a layer of hickory veneer was applied to the surface, followed by a satin clear coating.

The Tangent Chair measures 2 feet 9 inches in height and 2 feet in width. The seat height is 1 foot 5 inches, and the laminated layers are 3/4 inch thick. The chair features three tangent circles in its void, each with a typical radius of 3 inches.

Light in appearance but sturdy in strength, the Tangent Chair is designed for relaxation and social interaction while complementing the space it inhabits. Its organic shape and comfortable seating make it a perfect addition to any modern interior.

The Tangent Chair project started in September 2013 and was assembled in December 2013 at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL. The final coating was applied in April 2014, giving the chair its polished and refined appearance.

Extensive research went into the development of the Tangent Chair, focusing on geometry and theorems from renowned mathematicians such as Gian Francesco Malfatti and Jakob Steiner. The design process also drew inspiration from the work of Charles and Ray Eames and the possibilities offered by digital fabrication. Through a series of experiments and the combination of different techniques, the challenges posed by the chair's design and bending capabilities were successfully overcome.

The elegance and simplicity of the Tangent Chair are achieved by displaying the inherent strength and flexibility of plywood. By embracing and challenging its design principles, the chair creates its own space and becomes a statement piece. Its geometry and elements are beautifully blended together, resulting in a harmonious and pure design. The Tangent Chair truly redefines what a chair can be.

Image Credits: Sherry Huang, 2014.

Awards and Accolades: The Tangent Chair was awarded Bronze in the A' Furniture Design Award in 2015. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding and creatively ingenious designs that authenticate experience and resourcefulness. The Tangent Chair was esteemed for incorporating best practices in art, science, design, and technology, and contributing to quality of life improvements.