FYP Presentation 1 Feedback

These are the feedback that i received during my first FYP presentation.

Jeffrey: “Spend the time to research more about what kids in different stage will do as the things that you presented is just an assumption.”

Peer: “Experiment on the transformable products, as many people kind of think that this is wat we can do, do. Instead for those are more experience on, free some initial ideas that you can improve on.”

Dr. Chalit: “The selection of material should be durable material, have to define clear about transformation, to let people appreciate the long life of the product, or appreciate the aging of material.”

Based on the comments given by the various professors, I have gained a better insight on the amendments I need to make in order to produce an all-encompassing transformable furniture. First and foremost, I have to be very explicit in identifying the different stages of a child’s life and what the child will primarily be doing at each respective stage. Next, I have to further research on transformable products for added inspiration, while also keeping in mind the type of material used. The material used has to be specifically durable for it to be able to last the entire lifespan of the furniture.

Research on Campeggi

I was asked to research on this Italy furniture company Campeggi, a furniture company that was famous in transformable furniture but mainly were transformable sofas. One of the furniture from my previous research is from Campeggi as well. So here are the furniture that I am interested in.

Lieve

Lieve is a table that has a chair hidden in beneath. It was designed by Giulio Manzoni. This piece of furniture intrigues me in the way it conceals the chair, making it a plausible idea for me to develop on. Using my project as context, I can adopt the idea by possibly incorporating a baby changing table that folds into a normal sitting chair.

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Link: http://www.campeggisrl.it/en/products/lieve

 

Foresta

Foresta is a sofa bed that can change in extraordinary way, designed by Sakura Adachi . The coating is fixed into a triangular structure which actually functions as a sofa. You can sink yourself onto the elastic fabric which holds your body perfectly. Opening the zip, a bed with a LED light appears. You can close yourself inside by zipping back the fabric to achieve a cozy, sheltered space. Foresta can be uncovered and dismantled like a typical tent for easy transportation.

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The shape of this furniture is interesting especially for kids as they can perceive this as their “secret hideout” where they chill, play games or even sleep. While the idea is refreshing, I do not feel it is very feasible as it lacks a transformation element. Furthermore, the comfort of the “hideout” may be compromised due to its rigid structure.

Link: http://www.campeggisrl.it/en/products/foresta

Gilbert & George

Gilbert & George is designed by Denis Santachiara. A big pouf composed of two elements perfectly fitting together, drawing a line that suggests different uses.  If necessary, the ottoman turns into a couple of independent seats or even rocking chairs. Not identical but symmetrical, just like two artists who work together as a collaborative duo Gilbert & George.

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This furniture is exceptionally eye-catching due to its modular structure. It allows for easy rearrangement into the desired configuration for the user, while still maintaining a degree of style. This is especially suitable in Singapore homes where space is one of the biggest constraints.

Link: http://www.campeggisrl.it/en/products/gilbert-george

Lazy Basketball

Lazy Basketball is a metal structure chair with back made of synthetic net. It has a simple and winding shape which ends with a real bang: a funny colorful basket. Designed by Emanuele Magini.

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The piece of furniture incorporates the element of sports into its design. With the hoop attached to the back frame of the chair, it allows for children to play basketball. However, this could be dangerous as children tent to get carried away playing, without realizing if anyone is sitting on the chair or not. Nevertheless, this furniture gives me an insight on how to tap into the sports element, by allowing a transformation from an everyday-furniture into a simple sports equipment.

Link: http://www.campeggisrl.it/en/products/lazy-basketball

Pisolotta

A simple armchair that reminds a fantastic creature, designed by Denis Santachiara. Between its claws it squeezes a pouf which, at the right moment, can be released to be used as a footstool or  the pouf opens up revealing an emergency airbed for a never ending hospitality.

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The shape of this furniture is pretty fascinating as one would never expect to have a infatable airbed hiding inside the circular piece. The airbed is accompanies by a silent hand pump as well as an electric inflator which i find extremely useful. On the whole, the choice of colors and the unconventional shapes make it perfect for children. One thing to note however, is that the main piece of chair becomes unstable after the circular piece is taken out and this could pose potential dangers.

Link: http://www.campeggisrl.it/en/products/pisolotta

Sneaker

Training equipment has a rather cold and technological design. Giovanni Levanti has gone in the opposite and unusual direction and has come up with a domestic and personal surface where we can do our training and stretching exercises. Sneaker (2006) is a jumping matwith an inflatable end to sustain your back when doing your stretching exercises. An upholstered furnishing which will involve all your senses thanks to its bright colors and to the nice texture of the cover.

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Trampoline with inflatable gym ball for interiors. The padding is in foamed polyurethane and polyester fibre and it is provided with a removable cover in a two-tone three-dimensional polyester.

I think Sneaker is very much suited to be a kids furniture due to its vibrant colors and interesting shapes. While this is not a transformable furniture, its idea of combining a trampoline with an inflatable ball is a potential idea I can ponder on.

Link: http://www.campeggisrl.it/en/products/sneaker

Chit Chat

Chit Chat is a low table composed by a set of 4 elements which can be used separately both as independent coffee tables or even as stools. Chit Chatis a flexible and versatile product which complies with everyday life necessity by adapting itself on the basis of the number of our guests.

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The structure of chit chat which assemble multiple chairs into a square table is interesting and very useful. Looking at the chairs alone, one would not expect them to be able to come together as a table. It has holes underneath the chairs which makes for smart storage of items like books and magazines. This again, is extremely useful in an average Singaporean home as space is of the essence.

Link: http://www.campeggisrl.it/en/products/chit-chat 

Siesta

An unexpected but very linear sitting, playing with the traditional city bench iconography putting it together with the most powerful symbol of relax, a tropical hammock. This relaxing gesture gives an even more dynamic, pleasant and comfortable mood to Emanuele Magini’s (2011) project.

A tropical hammock within a city bench, comfortable and unconventional. Green, white or light blue epoxy varnished metal structure, white nylon sprung base.

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Fiesta reminds me of the kids furniture piece, GRO^ (from my previous research) with the utilization of a hammock. So besides putting sports element into a furniture, a hammock bench or a swing element will be fun too if to be added in to the furniture piece. This furniture reminds me of the typical baby bouncer(with net) that we use, that maybe the product can start with a baby bouncer and later be switched into a mini swing for kids. And then it can be an ordinary hammock bench.

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Baby bouncer with net.

Link: http://www.campeggisrl.it/en/products/siesta

Inspiration – Transformable Objects

During my research on transformable object I realized that there are different ways to change thing on how it can be use:

  • By folding
  • Twist & turn
  • Modular pieces for you to play around
  • Unpack and reform into another different object
  • Make use of the shape
  • Expansion

Folding- EXOCET

This is Exocet, a new concept chair by Montreal-based designer Stephane Leathead. A chair that can be used in a variety of positions. The key to the versatility is the identical slats on the rotating cylinder, allowing the user to change the chair’s shape easily when the moment strikes.

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Link: http://quikdesign.co.uk/QuikPost/exocet-chair-stephane-leathead/

 

Folding – SeesawSEAT

Beside normal furniture, kids furniture was also one of the common things that I found while searching for transformable object. This is seesawSEAT bench by Dirk Ploos van Amstel. The bench is creatively deigned that not only to be a seesaw but also can easily be transformed into a space-saving outdoor bench that is perfect for relaxing in with a glass of wine at the close of a summer’s day. But this is still a prototype.

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The bench folds in the middle, by folding over one side the feet are joined in the “new” middle to create the pivot. Handles for both extremities are folded into the bench surface and can be pulled out to seesaw.

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It’s a SEESAWseat and when transformed into a bench, it becomes a seesawSEAT. Even the name is transformablecool. I still feel that this furniture is the unpack and reform kind of transformable furniture although i put it under the folding category as the description mention it “folds” into another object.

Link: http://www.dirkploosvanamstel.nl/en/portfolio/seesawseat/

 

Twist & Turn – Blandito

Blandito is a transformable furniture pad for lazy living, designed by Oradaria Design. The name sounds like KFC’s “Bandito” to me tongue-out. Anyway, this pillow could be folded, wrapped, twisted, you can turn Blandito into a cozy bed, sofa, a chair or a toy for kids. And it is 360° useful. The fuzzy mattress features a flexible frame, so there’s absolutely nothing in it that can cause discomfort. The cover can be taken off and is machine washable. This is a very interesting piece, and I am very impress by what it can be transform into as I would never imagine a simple round pad can be make into so many shapes and being use in many ways.

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Link: http://alldaychic.com/blandito-transformable-pad-for-lazy-living/

 

Modular pieces – Moon

The Moon chaise longue, designed by LINA a Slovenian brand. The Moon element is composed of two separate parts that fit together tightly forming a block. Moon can be transformed into an easy-chair simply by shifting the upper part in the position of a backrest. You can also combine two or more Moon elements and form different compositions, such as a sofa, a combination of a table with one or more sitting elements, or a combination of four functioning as a bed. Arranging and re-arranging is quick and easy. The Moon elements are upholstered with a removable and washable fabric and can be kept clean even if children are using them as swings.

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Link: http://www.archiproducts.com/en/products/170745/lina-fabric-lounge-chair-pouf-moon-lina-design-d-o-o.html

 

Unpack and reform – Sosia Sofa

This is what I meant of unpacking and reform into another different object. Found this interesting furniture from a furniture web store, Emanuele Magini’s nutty “Sosia” sofa, produced by Campeggi. It is a bit of a sofa, a bit of armchair a bit of a bed, a bit of a zen place. It is a kind of multifaceted concept that the piece can transform into two armchairs, combine into 1 sofa bed and transform into a private intimate relax place. A modern sofa bed which transforms easily ad let you save space in your room. Design plays with metamorphosis to unite, separate blend and surprise. It is made of expanded polyurethane foam and covering in lycra fabric.

sosia-sofa

The shape of this furniture interests me the most as when the cloth is covered up it looks like the baby crib from Leander. It gives me the thought that as a baby crib, the material is not restricted to wood only and with flexible material, it can be easily transformable.

Link: http://www.core77.com/posts/19188/Emanuele-Maginis-Transformable-Sosia-Sofa-Doubles-as-Girlfriend-Mood-Indicator

 

Make use of the shape – GRO^

This is a simple kids furniture designed by Christian Troels and Michael Knap. It made of U-shaped veneers that can be used as different type of furniture based on your kids’ age. It can be transformed into a crib, rocking horse and balance board. This is very similar to my concept, furniture that can grow with the kid. But the maximum age is until 6 years old which I think there can still be more possibilities in using it longer as the piece is very unique.

Simple-Kids-Furniture-that-Transformable-as-Your-Kids-Grow

KRYPPEN^
0 -10 months

GRO^ is not just a piece of furniture, but more a frame that is following the child in the early years of its life. The first step is the crib to the newborns. It is hung on the frame, and allows the opportunity to rock the baby in two axes.

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SKIBET^
2 – 4 years.

When the child is around 2 years old, you can put up a seat in the frame. This makes a simple rocking horse, that have a very aesthetics graphic.

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BØLGEN^
3 – 6 years.

The third option you have is to buckle a balance board in the bottom of the frame. This gives a little more challenge and fun for the older children.

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Link: http://www.marvelbuilding.com/simple-kids-furniture transformable-kids-grow-gro.html

 

Make use of the shape – YiAhn

YiAhn (pronounced “e-ahn”) is not just ordinary bassinet. It can adapt to keep pace the changing needs of a growing child. Designed by Kang Chul Min, as a gift for his new born, this bassinet was designed to meet the needs of each growth phase of the baby. When the baby outgrows the bassinet, YiAhn can be reused as entirely different products after a simple process of transformation.

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Due to the fast growth of the baby, a bassinet itself can only be used only for three months. However, this bassinet can be reused as storage equipment (for example, as a toy bin and a mini bookshelf with drawers) once the first need (bassinet) is outgrown. As the toddler becomes a child, it can also be converted into a chair and table set for children. It is very easy to change the shape of the furniture; simple folding, with no use of tools, allows the piece of furniture to transform into new products.

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Link: http://www.tuvie.com/search/table+transformable

 

Expansion – Fan table

This is an unique transformable table designed by Mauricio Affonso, inspired by a hand fan. It made of over 400 birch slats and can be transformed into an array of different shapes and sizes so you can use it in many situations. You can expand it or transform it into circular table. The table’s adaptability gives users — especially those who live in small spaces, for example — the ability to modify the table to fit a particular occasion.

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Link: http://www.marvelbuilding.com/unique-transformable-table-inspired-fan-fan-table.html