dicot lounge chair
a seating solution for active relaxation
The dicot lounge chair is an attempt at embodying the elegant and efficient way that nature organizes matter. In contrast to the way that humans build furniture, by fabricating and assembling disparate elements, I tried to create a form that could have emerged from a single point, or seed. I imagined the chair synthesizing itself from the materials of its environment; becoming ergonomic and inviting as it conforms to the genetic blueprint it evolved in conjunction with human involvement.
The entire chair was sculpted by hand. It is made of red oak and finished with mineral and danish oil.
design of the base
The removable seat and backrest attach to the base by slotting into tapered dovetails. Further support is provided at two additional points on the front legs for the seat and the whale tale for the back rest. The three points of unfixed contact allow the pieces to move slightly, letting them conform to your body while remaining stable. This was also intended to make it easier to transport and contribute to the feeling that the chair is a dynamic, living piece of furniture.
process
I intended the DLC to afford active sitting as opposed to passive sitting. I wanted the chair to provide comfort and support, while promoting good posture and a conscious state of mind. Cushy recliners are the archetype for passive seating. They give so much cushion that you can sit, lay or slouch any which way and feel at ease. They let you lose yourself in them. With the Dicot, I am striving for a seating experience that lets your body relax while keeping you grounded. It aims to elevate your state of mind while keeping your awareness in your body. Through the act of active relaxation, your body and mind are oriented upward and forward, rather that puddling downward and back.
