02
Sustainability
The 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.
01 disassembly//material research
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
03//Wendy Birchfield
Why is it popular? //Portability //Comfort
Part Count:: 84 8 connectors 10 legs 20 screws 20 washers 2 arms (12 separate pieces) 1 seat (9 separate pieces) 1 bag (5 separate pieces)
Bamboo Fiber Pros:: requires less processing//uses less dye than cotton//biodegradable Cons:: usually requires importing
Organic Cotton Pros:: no chemical alterations//versatile Cons:: decreases soil fertility//crops require alot of land
Hemp Pros:: produces 250% more fiber than cotton//grows quickly//strong and durable
Organic Wool Pros:: assures humane treatment of sheep// eliminates synthetic pesticides on land and animals
Reclaimed Lumber Pros:: recycled//can be bought locally//sturdy Cons:: requires alot of clean-up
Bamboo Pros:: grows quickly//durable//economical Cons:: usually requires importing
Corrugated Plastic Pros:: recyclable//flexible//lightweight Cons:: less durable//synthetic
Cork Pros:: fire retardant
01 research//paper models
Folding Mechanisms I 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.
05//Wendy Birchfield
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.
01 concepts
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.
01 three directions//final direction 1
2
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.
09//Wendy Birchfield
3
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
design 01assembly//final Full-scale
Unroll
Fold
Slide
Clasp
compare & contrast Total:: 84 parts Material:: //Nylon //Steel //Plastic Total:: 69 parts Material:: //Bamboo Fiber //Reclaimed Lumber
11//Wendy Birchfield
Slide
Sit
Stand
Settle Down Model Full-Scale Final design The 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.