14 June, 2010
(9 Votes, average: 4.67 of 5)
Loading ...At first glance, this chair may seem out of a science fiction film, but in reality it is a real design inspired by the work of the teacher Antoni Gaudí. The chair and stool, designed by Dutchman Bram Geenen, use the same structural design methodology used by Gaudí in 1900, hanging chain models that reproduce the most effective geometries arches, vaults and domes… catenary curve.
When a chain hanging from two points describes a curve shaped by the force of gravity, this is catenary, the curve that best withstand the stress of hanging chain. When we invest this curve we get the perfect geometry to resist compression weight by, in other words the most efficient bow. Gaudí used this powerful idea to design their churches and today employs Geena furniture to provide an elegant structural performance. Under these lines, an interesting video on the process of design and use of the techniques of Gaudí.
The Gaudi Stool and Gaudi Chair are composed of two materials, carbon fiber and nylon. First, the substructure is manufactured by white nylon selective laser sintering (selective laser sintering) which allows ‘3D printing’ complex direct digital model, what is known as ‘rapid prototying‘. It then applies ‘skin’ carbon fiber that creates a picture taken with the geometry of the catenary curve models. The thin layer is responsible for transmitting the user charges to work effectively under compression while the substructure nylon handles provide the necessary resistance to bending and avoid buckling Blade. This small object hosts a wealth of structural knowledge that allows it to meet their aesthetic functions and resilient with only 1000 grams.
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In this link you can experience real-time 3D models and model strings yourself the Gaudi Chair. (Design Explorer)
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And I wonder, Why structural engineers do not chairs?
Jaume, because structural engineers would know that when someone feels there is more efficient structural form is more akin to traditional stool (with straight legs) than anything else.
As can be seen in the promotional video shown catenary models correspond more with the state to weight of the chair with a statement of use charges, or, with a user sitting on a suitable surface for this.
As discussed hombrefeliz, antifunicular surely loads more closely resembles a stool with 3 straight legs to a catenary.
I disagree with you (hombrefeliz Carratalá y sergio) I think the form is well justified and if it is proven that the catenary arch compression works best efforts to avoid horizontal at the base that was the problem of half-point; another thing is that it is easier to build a stool 3 legs but then, As we all? ; calatrava would like a furniture and just need so much stuff noo. But the section of the seat itself is not achieved with a stool 3 draw…would require twice the minimum thickness.
The chair seems very cool. But it really reminds me of a work is not built by Pier Luigi Nervi: Cathedral benecditina New Norcia in Perth (Australia). I think it's a perfect fit.
On the other hand, I believe that there are structural engineers who designed chairs. Jean Prouvé designed a lot of furniture (tables, chairs, secretaries …), and his approach to the problem was through the gates that separated the front and hind legs, considering that the transmission of loads on them was not similar.
As the funicular polygon charges are not out of the resistant section of the chair, This works to pure compression. But as it has a very thin section, That will happen next (I do not appreciate very well the thickness at the center of the seat), as we move a little over. A bridge design as Slguinatobel, variable section, even if it was hollow, would be more efficient. Is elegant, yes.