Khurachi 

In Semester 3, as part of my allied studies in woodworking, I worked on designing foldable objects using only wooden joinery, without any external hardware. This exploration led me to experiment with how folding could be achieved through joinery techniques, which shaped the start of my ideation. 

Basic form and joinery ideation for the chair

Ideation for wood joinery and chair  

Based on my ideation and the design concept, I started building the individual pieces. Each piece was made with accurate measurements that followed basic human proportions. This helped ensure that the design was practical, well-scaled, and suitable for human use. 

Pieces design

To better understand the scale and proportions of the design, I also created a scale model of the chair. This step was important because it allowed me to test the practicality of the design in a tangible form. While working on the model, I realized that the main joinery did not function as I had originally planned. I suspected this might be due to the limitations of working in a smaller scale, where accurately replicating joinery details becomes more challenging. Despite these issues, the scale model proved valuable, as it gave me a clearer sense of how the chair would eventually take shape and highlighted areas that needed further refinement.

Scale model

Later, I moved on to building the chair in a full 1:1 scale. The first step in this process was selecting the right type of wood. After considering different options, I chose a category of sal wood known as called Marandi. This particular variety is lighter than regular sal wood, which made the chair easier to lift, move, and fold, adding to its usability. At the same time, the wood retained the necessary strength and durability, ensuring that the structure remained sturdy without compromising on convenience.

I then began making the wooden pieces according to the dimensions I had drafted but realized the mistakes and made the required changes while actually making it in the wood; also added certain member to avoid the lateral falling . One of the critical tasks was creating the joinery in member C, which required a high level of accuracy and precision. This process involved carefully scraping and shaping the wood so that the other components could slot into it correctly. For the remaining pieces, precision was equally important, especially when cutting the circular forms and ensuring that the corresponding parts fit seamlessly into those slots 

After completing the individual pieces, I moved on to the assembly process. It was during this stage that I encountered several challenges. One of the main issues was that the chair was not able to stand properly in the form I had designed. Instead of holding its intended structure, it tilted and dipped down towards the floor. This revealed weaknesses in the stability and balance of the design, showing me that certain adjustments in joinery, alignment, or overall proportions were necessary to achieve the desired form.

To address the issue of the chair dipping, I first designed a pin that passed through member A, connecting it with the extended joinery of members B and C. My intention was that this pin would stabilize the structure and prevent the chair from collapsing downward. While it did provide some support, the dipping problem persisted. I then experimented with modifying the cloth component by applying it under tension, hoping it would help hold the chair in place. This adjustment improved the stability to some extent, but it was still not enough to fully resolve the issue. Finally, I decided to add an extra supporting leg to member B. This structural addition completely eliminated the dipping problem and gave the chair the stability and balance it required. 

I also carried out tests with different wood polishes as part of the finishing process.  By applying and comparing various finishes, I was able to observe differences in texture, color, and sheen, as well as how each polish interacted with the natural grain of the wood. This experimentation helped me decide on a finish that enhanced the aesthetic appeal of the chair while also providing protection to the surface, ensuring both functionality and a refined look. 

In conclusion, the process of designing and fabricating the chair involved a series of explorations, trials, and refinements—from drafting proportions and making scale models to resolving structural challenges during full-scale construction. Each stage, including the selection of materials, precision in joinery, adjustments to stability, and finishing techniques, contributed to both the functionality and aesthetics of the final piece. Through this iterative process, I not only achieved a stable and practical design but also gained valuable insights into how small details in proportion, structure, and finish can significantly impact the overall outcome of a furniture design.