Furniture Design for Speech Day 2025

Task

During the Senior School speech day Mr Grindlay, Khun Taya Teepsuwan, Mr Groves and a guest speaker sit on a chair on the stage for approximately 90 minutes. They currently sit on a very basic chair that is not designed for that length of time as it is at the wrong angle and is not that comfortable.

Therefore, your task is to design and make a 'bespoke' chair (and possibly side table(s) for speech day 2025. You could have the same design x 4; four different designs; one design and 3 other scholars use theirs etc. You can look to use any materials (exotic hardwoods, brass, resin, leathers, etc.) and, if needed, we could go to an outside company to have parts made i.e. metal legs / frame etc. 

Eventually these chairs will be used in the new auditorium (2026) when that has been built and they will be on the stage. 

This is a great opportunity for you to design and make something amazing, which will be recognised.

Below I have attached some images and links to some great furniture design through history as well as contemporary Furniture designers (past students) John Reeves, Jake Barker, Tom Lawson. I have also attached links to Anthropometrics which are so important in the design and comfort of a chair. I also have a book in my workshop all about this if you want to look at it.

Inspiration - Reeves D

Anthropometrics 

Chair design

Barcelona chair - One of the most famous and iconic chair designs in history. Designed by Mies Van Der Rohe in 1929, for the King and Queen of Spain to sit on during an exhibition. It is still in production today and still lokks modern.

The Wassily chair designed by Marcel Breuer in the 1920's. Another iconic design and still in production today. 

Eames lounge chair and ottoman designed by Ray and Charles Eames designed in 1956. This is the height of luxury and is an incerdibly comfortable chair. All to do with the seat angles, combination of materials and styling. 

The Papa Bear chair designed by Hans J. Wegner has a solid wood frame with velvet upholstery provides a comfortable easy chair that gives you a warm hug!

The LC2 Poltrona chair designed in the 1920's by the great designer and architect Le Corbusier. Typically this has a chrome plated tubular frame with luxurious leather upholstered cushions inside the frame i.e. so you see the skeleton of the chair.

ReevesDesign

The work below is from the designer, based in Vietnam, John Reeves. John (a past student) has been recognised as one of the world's most important furniture designers. He has a wide range of furniture (many award winning) and his design work is very contemporary. Click on the button below to see more of his work. 

Links