Helene’s Process of Prototyping a Bamboo Lounge Chair
By | November 25, 2022 | Student Work -
Follow the journey of crafting a prototype for a lounge chair that includes a seat, a side table, and an ambient light during the 11-Day Build and Design Course.
Design Idea, Concept, and Inspiration
The idea was to create a lounge chair for the airport that could combine different furniture elements in one including a lamp for ambient light, a comfortable seating area, and a side table to enjoy whilst waiting for a flight at the airport.
Crafting The Bamboo Lounge Chair
I began by drawing out a sketch and creating a scaled structural bamboo model, this allowed me to see my idea in real 3D and make adjustments on a small scale. I was inspired by the fibonacci spiral, and the chair makes use of 22 vertical posts running along a spiral to mimic a seashell. The posts grow longer by 5cm incrementally where the backrest lands. The 22 transversal splits give the structure solidity. The structure was then brought together by weaving cut-up strips of rubber tires to create a square black and white pattern inspired by the Bali's traditional Textile “the Poleng”.
Challenges and Learnings
The most challenging part of the project was to use splits in 3 different dimensions to connect the 22 posts. The most rewarding part was learning that the black and white square pattern in Bali is a sacred pattern used on fabric that is wrapped around sacred trees and statues to signify harmony and balance.
During the entire process, I learned that during hands-on crafting managing your time and energy is key. It is normal to get annoyed during the process and it is ok to stop and take a break. I also learned that working with a partner is really valuable to bounce ideas back and forth and keep each other going and motivated. He helped direct my frustration into focus and perseverance.
The process of fabrication challenged my first idea and resulted in something different and surprisingly better than my initial thought.
JUNE 13-24, 2025
The 11 Day Bamboo Build & Design Course in Bali
In 11 days, we'll show you how to build bamboo structures we’ll share all that it takes to build with nature.
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The Bamboo Harvesting Course
The Bamboo Harvesting Course is an online step-by-step training to harvest and care for your bamboo clumps to ensure their longevity and productivity. This maximizes the potential of this beautiful grass as a rapidly renewable resource.Whether you are an architect, builder, or sustainability enthusiast, this mini course will enable you to utilize this rapidly regenerative resource as a durable construction material.It will help remove any fear or doubt about the durability of bamboo and help you build reputable bamboo structures that stand the test of time!
