Sunday, 31 July 2011

Threaded Out

Collaboration between Rowan Turnham & Dean Haeusler

Aluminium pipes connect each timber component


Here's the final prototype.




Design Brief

The chair will be made out of timber. There will be no glue used in the construction of the chair. The chair will be a flat pack product and be easily assembled by the customer. The joints that connect each component will be exposed and will be easy to access. It will have main legs which then connect to the back component.  Allan key assembly is the type of fixing that will hold all the components together. 




Original Idea



(Copic/hand sketch)





















- This sketch shows the origins of the concept
- Too many joints
- Complicated construction methods
- Stripped down to the core essentials
- Went back to basics
- Came up with concept following after this






Final Concept renderings

(Metal pipe joints connect to timber components)
(Simple 3 way metal pipe joint holds all timber components)





Scale model


(1:6 scale model)



























- Scale model is a fully knock down version of the final concept.
- The idea was to make the model so it could be disassembled easily.


- This would help with further design issues and give me an insight into possible hurdles that I would pass later on in making the real deal.




Materials


- Rock Maple
- Aluminium round tube
- Aluminium round bar
- Steel cable
- Stainless steel
- Cork






This design was a production from myself, Rowan Turnham, 2011. Also would like to thank Dean Heausler for help in the initial design conceptualization work. And Chris from Carr engineering for the metal work.
































Thursday, 28 July 2011

Maple Light

 Sculptural lighting








Inspiration                                                                                                 





(This was my inspiration, Japanese Maple seed)

( errr... these 3 seeds are rare)




At my home we have a Japanese Maple tree right out the back. When the tree produces these wonderful seeds I can't help myself and pull some off and play with them. You might also know them as "Helicopter Seeds" as they fall from the tree they spin towards the ground.


So as I was stuck for inspiration for my next project I decided why not use these!




They then formed the basis for the main shape of each panel in the light I designed.






(Luminous Film in the dark, is quite strong)


(Luminous film is inlayed into Blackwood)






(Maple Light - 2010)






Materials                                                                                                 




- Luminous Film
- Concrete
- Interlock Arm - Chrome
- Blackwood
- Inverter
- Transformer





Luminous Film



(Images courtesy of luminous film)




The Luminous Film I used was from http://www.luminiousfilm.com/


It basically has 3 layers - Conducter layer, Phosphor layer & Electrode layer. When the film is connected to electricity via the required inverter and transformer. The current helps the layers create Photons which in return create light.




Best lighting tech I have used ever!




- Doesn't get hot
- Thin and flexible
- Custom shapes can be cut up, but have to be sealed!





                            This design was a production from myself Rowan Turnham, 2011.







Shout outs

- Michael Cooper for helping with the electricals!
- Luminous film

Short Black Connection

Short Black Connection Coffee Table


Inspired by the flowing lines of cars. I chose to replicate the fluidality and sweeping lines of automotive design into a coffee table. Short black is made from reclaimed Australian Blackwood to display qualities on two levels & through flowing angles.



Sydney International Furniture Fair 2010




(Made from reclaimed Australian Blackwood)






(Sydney International Furniture Fair - Edge 2010)










Studio Photography
 


This design was a production from myself Rowan Turnham, 2010.



Desko

Inspired by Scandinavian culture, specifically the fjords of
Norway. The desk is made from European Beech and finished with a light soap
layer. The high curves represent the high peaks of the fjords while falling down
into the deep valleys created by the monumental glaciers that carve their way
through the mountains.





(Norwegian Fjords)
Fjords are deep valleys carved into the earth by glaciers. 
Since the last Ice age glaciers have grinded and washed away rock.
The water ways can be as deep as the mountains are high.
The main shape of the desk (top curve) and its other attributes
represent the deep valleys and the high peaks created by these
natural wonders. I chose to use Beech as my main material as it
is generally a timber used by norwegians to brighten up their homes
in an environment that is cold & dark.






Here is the final concept presentation I submitted. Used this for class presentation. Having feedback is the best thing, allows your design to be seen from the other side of the fence. Therefore has potential for generation of solutions that maybe I hadn't thought of.





Concept Investigation
Veneers                                                                                                                     

Veneers will come from Briggs veneers in NSW. Briggs started veneer milling in 1933 in Briggsvale. They supply Paper back, Skateboard, Eco-cert, FSC, AFS, Truegrain reconstituted veneers & also edge band veneers.

European Beech 


                                
  • eco-cert Certified Veneer
  • Origin: Europe
  • Value: Average
  • Colour: Pinkish       

Solid European Beech                                                                                             

               
Solid Beech will be sourced from Matthews Timber in Vermont. They have over 45years experience in importing and local timbers. Stock will most likely be 150x25 @ whatever lengths are needed to construct the table top and the foot rest.



Leather                                                                                              

 







Leather was sourced from Lefflers leather in Kensington. After extensive research I found that vegetable tanned leather is the best type of leather to mould. Leather moulding entails submersing the leather into hot water until air bubbles stop appearing. Then the leather is clamped around a form and left to dry completely. After this process the dyeing of the leather can be carried out.          

Hardware                                                                                                                                                              




Hardware needed for the desk is minimal. Small 180 degree hinges are needed for the flip lid on top of the metal basket which is located underneath the table top. These hinges will be sourced from Hafele. They come in different sizes that suit various thicknesses of wood, for this application I chose “Zysa Hinge Brass Matt 180deg 14mm”.




Stainless steel 304 bolts are needed to connect main arm to table top. Hex bolts are the only bolt that’s long enough that I could find. 8gauge x 110mm is best suited to the desk. Although since the thread will be connecting to a threaded insert the hex head of the bolt has to be fabricated to a dome and a slit cut into it.

Joinery Methods                                                                                                                   


(Lap joint - But machined 45degree angles at all ends which holds each lap into each other, therefor making the overall joint stronger)


(Used dominos with Festool, efficient & quick!)



Finishes                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Lux flakes are all natural soap flakes (100% degradable & No added phosphorus). Soap finishes are suited to light timbers as it is a light white coating. Using soap as a finish is common with European timbers such as European beech and birch. The soap penetrates the timber while serving as a protective layer between it and the environment.  The end product is a finish that is soft to the hands and the environment.



Scale model                                                                                                                           





(1:6 scale model)
Used white cardboard and glue stick to produce a lamination shape. Made moulds out of plywood for main arms and back support legs. Simply cut cardboard to width and length then layered up around mould with glue and sticky taped it tight around mould.

Final Rendering                                                                                                                             


(Autocad/Solidworks/Photoview 360)
















 Furnitex 2011


 Melbourne Exhibition Centre - 21st July - 24 July












                           This design was a production from myself Rowan Turnham, 2011.