Bronze Furniture Design · 2024
Misfit Chair
by Chanhee Kim
- A' Design Award 2024 Bronze Winner in Furniture Design
- Awarded April 15, 2024
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 13,627
- Verification code 7010BEAD0F · Verify this award
About Misfit Chair
Misfit is a wooden chair designed to support varied seating postures. The chair is made of beech wood and finished with satin varnish, which reveals the natural color of the material. Curved rear legs connect to a semicircular backrest shaped by lamination bending. The legs, backrest and crossbars meet at different angles and form a balanced whole. Mortise and tenon joints and wedged joints provide stability and durability. The semicircular backrest supports the spine and also serves as support when the user sits sideways.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The Misfit Chair is characterized by curved rear legs connected to the handle of the backrest. The legs, backrests, and crossbars all meet at distinctive angles, contributing to its unique design, and reflecting the unconstrained spirit of the current generation. Mortise and tenon joints ensure stability and wedged joints enhance durability, especially in connecting the backrest and rear legs. The semicircular backrest adds aesthetic appeal and allows versatile seating.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 695mm X Depth 705mm X Height 805mm
- Tags
- chair, chair design, furniture, Gen-Z, woodworking
- Production Technology
- The backrest was made through lamination bending, and all legs and crossbars were pulled out from angled wooden rods converted into round wooden rods through a router table. The frame consists of a half-lap joint, and the seat is also fitted to the frame. Satin varnish is used for an overall finish to stand out for beech wood's unique beautiful natural color.
- Design Challenge
- The most challenging aspect of the project was securely connecting the angled and intricate joints. As someone who had only been learning woodworking for just over two years, creating this chair posed a significant challenge for me. However, after numerous trial and error attempts, I successfully achieved sturdy connections for all the joints. This experience left me with the lesson that perseverance in the face of challenges can lead to success.
- Project Duration
- Started in March 2023 in Seoul. Finished in December 2023 in Seoul.
- Operation Flow
- The semi-circular backrest provides firm support for the spine, allowing users to sit in various positions comfortably. For instance, even when the user twists their body at a 90-degree angle, the portion that served as an armrest now functions as back support. This aligns with the concept of a perversed, unconstrained generation, offering the functionality of being able to seat in diverse postures.
- Research
- This project aimed envisioning the element of good furniture and setting the direction for my future work. Studying historical pieces, I found that great chairs often express stories of their time through unique, functional forms. Similarly, as a member of present era, I believe my designs should reflect the narrative of my generation, making them distinctive and something only my generation or I can achieve Through this project, I tried to explore individuality and beauty of present generation.
- Inspiration
- In general, older generations are more likely to perceive younger generations as crooked misfits. However, In my opinion, The quirkiness of the younger generation does not represent rebellion but can be interpreted as an authentic journey of self-discovery and embracement of individual freedom. With this in mind, this furniture features legs, backrest, and crossbars meeting at entirely different angles while coming together in harmony, reflecting the spirit and beauty of the current generation.