Sustainability02The Project

The intent of this project was to choose a product on the market, disassemble it, and evaluate how it could be redesigned in a more sustainable fashion. The product I chose was a collapsible camping chair. Through research and conceptual development I designed a more sustainable solution for this product.

Part Count:: 848 connectors10 legs20 screws20 washers2 arms (12 separate pieces)1 seat (9 separate pieces)1 bag (5 separate pieces)

How can this product be more sustainable?//cut down on parts eliminate carrying bag and find a better solution for portability simplify legs//make more lightweight eliminate heavy material make chair out of one material//use friendlier materials what materials may release harmful chemicals when near a campfire use materials that may be easily recycled

Why is it popular?//Portability//Comfort

disassembly//material research01

03//Wendy Birchfield

Bamboo FiberPros:: requires less processing//uses less dye

than cotton//biodegradable

Cons:: usually requires importing

Organic CottonPros:: no chemical alterations//versatile

Cons:: decreases soil fertility//crops require

alot of land

HempPros:: produces 250% more fiber than

cotton//grows quickly//strong and durable

Organic WoolPros:: assures humane treatment of sheep//

eliminates synthetic pesticides on land and

animals

Reclaimed LumberPros:: recycled//can be bought locally//sturdy

Cons:: requires alot of clean-up

BambooPros:: grows quickly//durable//economical

Cons:: usually requires importing

Corrugated PlasticPros:: recyclable//flexible//lightweight

Cons:: less durable//synthetic

CorkPros:: fire retardant

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05//Wendy Birchfield

Folding MechanismsI researched many different folding mechanisms; some that were applied to furniture and some that were not. Researching these folding mechanisms not only informed the function of my design, but they also informed the aesthetics.

research//paper models

After researching these folding mechanisms I began the concepting phase of the process. I made several small paper and cardboard models throughout the concepting phase as a way of generating and solidifying ideas. I worked back and forth between drawing and paper modelling throughout concepting.

concepts01

07//Wendy Birchfield

This is the concept I pursued as the final direction. The original concept was made of one piece of corrugated material. It may be used in several different ways depending on its orientation. It may be used as a chair, a fort, or a sleeping mat. The chair can be rolled up and self contained for convenient portability but doesn’t depend on a separate piece of material to do so.

1 2 3

three directions//final direction

Throughout the refinement process I continued to make paper models. I arrived upon three possible directions and pursued them all before I decided upon the final direction.

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09//Wendy Birchfield

The final direction is made of one piece of corrugated material. At this point in the process I was unsure what that material was going to be. The two ends of the material connect to make a cylinder. The material is scored so that the seat easily falls into place. It rolls up and self contains, and can also lay flat and be used as a sleeping mat.

full-scale model

Full-scale assembly//final design01

Total:: 69 parts

Material:://Bamboo Fiber//Reclaimed Lumber

Material:://Nylon//Steel

//Plastic

Total:: 84 parts

compare & contrast

Unroll Slide Slide Stand

Clasp

11//Wendy Birchfield

SitFold

Full-Scale ModelFinal designThe final design is made of bamboo fiber, and reclaimed lumber. It is stitched together so that it may be easily disassembled and recycled. Apart from three metal connectors, the chair is completely biodegradable.

Settle Down