Design / Objects / Oak Vessels
oak wood, ink
November 2023
I created a series of oak wood vessels inspired by architectural forms, exploring fabrication techniques and material finishing. Each piece was finished using black ink and charring, emphasizing texture and surface quality. This project served as an exercise in form composition, design choices being made during creation based on intuition, focusing on balance and proportion while refining my woodworking skills.
Much of the initial ideation for this project was done by creating a series of ~1/30 scale models out of balsa foam. These models were instrumental in shaping the final design, allowing ideas to evolve naturally through experimentation and iteration.
After several foam iterations I then moved to creating larger models in 1/4 in. plywood, at ~1/10 scale. At this scale the construction of these models informed much of the final assembly process; the small bandsaw no different from the large one.
From one of the 1/10 scale plywood models, a full scale prototype was constructed from scrap wood. These models informed the ergonomics of the chair as well as visual proportion and structural integrity.
The first full scale model was then studied, critiqued and disassembled to form the second full scale model based upon that feedback. This one featuring seat foam.
The wood sourced for this project came from an architectural reclaim warehouse. Two ~16ft boards were found, then processed into pieces predicated on previous models. After consulting many experts the exact wood species remains unknown.
The final finish of the wood resulted from being planed, sanded up to 180 grit, then finished with beeswax orange oil blend and polished with a wax compound.
The finished product could be assembled with a mallet alone.