Leftovers Chair

Species: American red oak, American alder, American hard maple, American white oak, American walnut, American black cherry, American soft maple, American hickory, American pecan
Designer: Lauren Davies
Born: Brighton, 1982
Photographer: Mark O'Flaherty

After studying illustration at Brighton University, Davies worked for four years as a set designer, and also had her own design company doing photo-shoots and window designs. It was frustration with the temporary nature of the work which led her to apply to the RCA, where she has just completed her first year. She wants, she says, 'to create products that have more of a lasting life'.

Leftovers ChairTHE DESIGN
Davies' interest in food and cooking led her to design a chair that could be described in the form of a recipe. It is made up from a variety of American hardwoods that are imported to Europe, several of which are nutbearing species. The seat, made by Windsor chair specialist Sitting Firm and subsequently shaped by Davies, is 'pickled' with vinegar, the legs are 'smoked' and the spindles of the back are 'flavoured' with fruit essences. The whole design is based on the form of a kitchen chair with the seat built up from offcuts of numerous timbers. The legs are of hickory, chosen because of its strength and straightness, and also because this use suits the fact that it is only available in relatively small widths. The 'H' structure joining the legs is in the related timber, pecan. Maple was used for the spindles, and the hoop of the back is in straight-grained cherry. The flavourings, which supply colour, include saffron, paprika, blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, beetroot, blackberry, pomegranate and onion skins.

LIFECYCLE CONSIDERATIONS
Using offcuts to build up the seat would reduce the footprint of this chair by employing ‘free’ waste materials, but this was not allowed for in the LCA. Processing had a high impact on this chair, largely due to the steam bending of the back and the use of a blowtorch. All treatments are natural, from the vinegar which brings out the tannins, to the fruit and spice flavours. Some of these may prove to be fugitive in light – Davies was eager to carry out more tests. The form of the chair is classic, and this sturdy object should have a long and - dare we say - fruitful existence.


Click to view the impact assessment and/or short film for Leftovers.

 

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