In my research of 100% design Tokyo, I came across this image. I think this shows a need that has yet to be met and that so form of low seating or stool might be appropriate for this site. People waiting here are either resting after seeing the exhibition, having lunch or waiting for friends and family to finish looking at the exhibition. There are several sites around exhibition like this one but none of the offer any form of seating.
TAKE 1 - FAIL!!! As you can see from the picture opposite my first attempt crashed and burnt miserably. I accidently cut two of the fold lines on the wrong side resulting in the model falling apart. Some of the other folds were also unsuccessful as they relied on the flexibility of the paper. Saying that the overall design wasn’t a complete failure the general pattern seemed to work. A few small changes to the folds need to be made ( in particular the angle of the folds that control the angle of the seat panels as they don’t sit level with the ground at the moment) and the locking system refined.
TAKE 2- This model was more successful then the last. I managed to cut all the folds correctly this time so the model didn’t fall apart. Some small changed to the arms of the chair resulted in an arm that was folded over like the pantheon chair so as not to expose the cardboard grain. The problem with adding the extra fold is that the arm now hangs below the base of the chair creating yet another problem that needs to be resolved! The locking system and some extra support for the seat also still need to be resolved.
TAKE 3- ARRRRR This model was meant to trail the new form of seat support and locking system I had developed. Unfortunately it was only after I had ruled it up and started cutting that I discovered that I had put the bottom flaps on a the wrong direction. UGH!!
TAKE 4- After much cursing I decided that it really was worth redoing. The result was another step in the right direction but in no way a completely refined model. All the folds now work, however the locking system is fairly poor. I’m not sure if this will be improved with the use of thicker cardboard or if a completely new direction is needed. I’m also not sure, even with the new support system if the chair is actually capable of supporting human weight. I still have a small amount of cardboard left that could be used for this purpose but that would counter the original concept of the chair being formed from one piece of cardboard. Unfortunately I have run out of time to develop this design further despite not being entirely happy with it.
