Located on the 6th floor, this exhibition showcases the work of 8 students in professor Nick Perrin's Prototyping (DESG 3010) course. This course is part of the core curriculum of the Design Program in the School of Architecture and draws upon foundational design skills that are established in studio prerequisites to explore form-making through the development of physical prototypes. Students first analyze precedents, work to develop concepts, uses, and formal qualities to be tested on their own design. The iterative process includes material studies, physical and digital model-making, construction drawings, and varied fabrication techniques. This work informs the final prototypes, which simultaneously present a level of resolution and a potential for refinement.
Students in the Fall 2024 Semester were tasked with making a Portmanteau, with the following constraints:
-All wood used will be 3/4” Thick Plywood
-Projects can not use more material than a 4’ x 8’ sheet
-NO GLUE - All pieces must be joined with mechanical fasteners or friction joints
Portmanteau relates to 2 distinct design objects. The word is the combination of the French words porter, meaning carry/wear and manteau, meaning coat/mantle. It describes a piece of luggage with 2 seperate compartments, or it describes a hatrack. In linguistics portmanteau describes a new word that combines two words to relay a blended meaning of the constituent parts. Lewis Carroll introduced this understanding of the word in the book Through the Looking Glass (1871). What forms might occur if we take two distinct pieces and combine them? As Prototyping explore the relationship between Design and making, a Portmanteau provides many possible outcomes.
"That’s So Metal” reimagines plywood as a flexible, segmented design. Using a single 4x8-foot sheet, I employed a CNC router to create triangular wood segments, joined with pieces of laser cut twill fabric and over 800 screws (hence the title), transforming plywood from rigid to dynamic and adaptable.
Blending rigidity and flexibility, the design invites unexpected interaction. Through digital fabrication and hands-on construction, it highlights the potential of materials and the design process as an open-ended system for creative exploration.
"Comfy?’, is a piece that mixes sculptural art with furniture. ‘Comfy?’ takes inspiration from the issues revolving around hostile architecture, a subsection of architecture that tries to push the houseless out of public spaces. This piece attempts to be a conversation starter and a critique of the issues such as useability and the logistics of hostile architecture. The piece is angled at eleven degrees while the seat sits at zero degrees. Planks are held together by friction joints and wedges.
Flip Seat is an example of a Portmanteau, a combination of 2 distinct design objects, a chaise lounge and a table. The design is sleek, minimalistic, and functional, with clean lines and an emphasis on form following function. The chaise lounge and table are designed as one sculptural form, with the tabletop straight-edge contrasting the curves of the lounge. Designed for compact outdoor spaces, this piece maximizes utility without compromising style. Its flexible structure allows for easy rearrangement to suit individual or shared usage. Feel free to sit but please be gentle!
The modular display easel is visually inspired by the Space Age Design Movement. The goal of this piece is to reimagine an easel as an object of visual merit rather than just as collateral to artistic endeavors. The easel consists of two triangular pieces that are secured with a bridle joint. Each circular ledge is comprised of 8 individual shelves, four of which can be moved at two-inch intervals throughout the piece, creating a shelving display when not in use as an easel.”
The Games Table is a multifunctional coffee table that doubles as a game table. It features a sleek wood-finish surface for everyday use and a felt-lined side perfect for card games, chess, or checkers. With ample storage for game pieces and cards, it keeps everything organized. Its form allows 4 players to comfortably sit on the ground and engage in competition. A functional and chic addition to any home, it seamlessly transitions from a coffee table to a game table for endless entertainment.
The Split & Sit is inspired by a necessity for space-saving and multi-functional furniture. This would be ideal for city living, dorm rooms, or any other space-constrained area. In its resting state it takes the form of a small bench. It can then be transformed into two chairs with an end table. The seat of the bench is removed and folds into the table, then the back rests fold up creating the chairs.
Table For Two is a bar stool set designed without the use of fasteners, emphasizing the beauty and functionality of traditional joinery techniques, specifically dado joints.The design prioritizes the efficient and intentional use of a 4’ x 8’ plywood board, resulting in a spatially conscious creation. This piece invites users to appreciate the material’s natural qualities and the ingenuity of traditional woodworking methods in a modern context
The Sunday Chair is a multifunctional design that merges the comfort of a wide seated chair with the convenience of a side table. The table cantilevers on the side, supported by its arm that runs through the back of the chair’s legs. The Sunday Chair is constructed using only friction joints, and no hardware, emphasizing structural simplicity and functionality. Perfect for a living room, study, or kids’ room, the Sunday Chair invites you to sit down and relax with a book, do homework, enjoy a cup of tea, or entertain children with story time or a coloring book.
