Development of wooden chair design utilizing Digital Fabrication that contributes to "MOKUIKU"

Abstract

This wooden chair has been designed using Digital Fabrication, a new manufacturing technology which is open to society. The aim of this chair design is to promote regional collaboration and local industry. We propose a design system that allows the selection of local wood in the form of regional standard timber (called “DOUBUCHI”), which is widely used throughout Japan, for the seat and backplate of the chair.
This wooden chair design was developed in a joint effort by industry, government and academia, and the authors integrated the entire design process from planning to concept making and production. The children who will shape society’s future will grow up seeing, feeling, and experiencing the appeal of Japanese wood culture with a chair assembled by their own hands -- in the spirit of “MOKUIKU.”