Star Stool Design

Brief: To design a stool for an alfresco cafe that weighs 2kg or less and measures 400mm by 400mm by 400mm. It must be aesthetically pleasing, ergonomic and able to stay steady on potential uneven surfaces.

Stage 6. Takes the weight of this builder.

I thought if this stool could take a heavy tradie full of pies and red bull,  then it would be perfect for the cafe society it has been specifically designed for.

Stage 6. Time to add a seat!

 I have wrapped heavy duty elastic cord around the base, it has created a whole new dynamic for the stool. When situated in a room, the stool, with lack of an opaque seat, does not obstruct and sits harmoniously with other pieces.

 The simple black colour ensures that this design won't go out of favor anytime soon.

Stage 6. Powder Coated Satin Black

 

Back from the powder-coater's and the star stool is looking schmick as! There has been a tossing up over recent weeks whether to put a ply seat on top, but seeing as how good the finish has come back, I have decided that thread leather or cord would be more appropriate. Due to the triangular frame that the leather or cord will have to be wrapped around, it will create an interesting inconsistent aesthetic, when contrasted with the mostly consistent frame.

 Alan's insistence to clean it up was definitely a battle I'm happy he won!

Stage 6. Final frame, 6mm steel rod, heat bent and welded.

So after weeks of designing, concepting, planning, researching, sourcing, lots of waiting around trying to net over extended workshop staff, trials and errors and a large amount of frustration, the star stool has finally been realised. I have heat bent and weld it with the help of the workshop boys and my friend Erin.

Why is it called a star stool you ask? Well as you have already observed it is made up of many small triangle, but the real reason is because when it stacks, the seat of the first stool nests to the joins on the legs of the second, creating a star-like shape, when viewed from above.

My good friend Alan helping to smooth out our rookie weld job, he wanted it done properly and didn't fancy our changes, so he stepped in the smooth things out.

Stage 5. 1:5 Perspective and Exploded General Assembly Drawing

Three extra vertical legs had to be added. 8mm rods (which were used in the initial prototype) would have made the design stronger, however it would then have not met the strict weight restrictions, so the design has been evaluated with strength and the overall weight in mind. The extra supports did not obscure the concept intent of the star-like shape and have therefore been a success.

Stage 4. Heat Bent and Welded Model. 8mm steel rod, test model.