Heat:Chair - A Revolutionary Design in Customizable Seating

Integrating Material Science, Computation, and Robotics

Inspired by Tokujin Yoshioda's Pane Chair, which uses heat to mediate material properties, the designers of Heat:Chair developed an integrated computation and fabrication system to address its limitations, particularly its inability to control material local stiffness. By leveraging the distinct thermo-behavior of amorphous and crystalline zones of polyester fiber, Heat:Chair allows for precise control over the stiffness distribution of the chair.

Using a combination of computer topology optimization and robotic folding and heating, a continuous polyester sheet is transformed into a chair with a desired gradient stiffness distribution. This unique process ensures that each chair is customized to the individual user, providing optimal support and comfort.

One of the key strengths of Heat:Chair is its ability to honor both the material it uses and the human that uses it. By taking advantage of the thermo-bonding properties of polyester fiber, specific areas of the chair can be melted to bond neighboring layers together, creating a chair with varied stiffness distribution without compromising the overall strength of the material.

The interaction between the user and Heat:Chair is both physical and digital. Physically, the customizable stiffness distribution allows for idiosyncratic sitting behaviors, such as bouncing or designed chair deformation, creating an intimate interaction between the human and the chair. The chair surface can also be customized to provide unique aesthetics and tactile sensations. Digitally, the chair form and material distribution are determined by human ergonomic data and user preferences.

Heat:Chair is the result of extensive research and experimentation. The project started in February 2018 in Cambridge, MA, USA, and was completed in May 2018. The design team integrated material experiments, computational design, and robotic fabrication to create the most efficient and personalized gradient-stiffness chair.

Heat:Chair has received recognition for its innovative design. It was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in 2019, which recognizes well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. The chair's integration of industry best practices, competent technical characteristics, and its contribution to a better world made it a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

With its unique combination of material science, computation, and robotics, Heat:Chair sets a new standard in customizable seating. Its ability to provide personalized support and comfort makes it an ideal choice for individuals seeking a truly tailored seating experience.