NOTCH
SUSTAINABLE FURNITURE EXPLORATION
Using aluminum sheet metal to rethink sustainability in the furniture space. This project is a new take on a floor lamp, where materials & processes were explored through the lens of sustainability. Additional furniture pieces to come.
industry issues
From start to finish, the furniture industry is not a circular economy. It uses wasteful practices from cradle to grave.
exploring solutions
Zooming out and taking a closer look at the assembly, construction, and materiality of the furniture creation process.
sheet aluminum
From there, I narrowed in on designing using sheet aluminum- due to its increased sustainability & potential for flat packing.
+ Aluminum is 100% recyclable and can be recycled again and again without degrading. Nearly 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today.
+ Aluminum is extremely lightweight, weighing less than 1/3rd as much as the lightest steel material.
+ It does not rust, and is highly resistant to corrosion.
aesthetic direction
Optimistic + Raw + Approachable + Clean
form development
As I dove into the ideation process, I gravitated towards forms with minimal hardware & bending, creating a more approachable and simple appearance + assembly experience. Interlocking the pieces together emerged as a viable concept.
From sketching, I began ideating through CAD & paper prototypes. I found that through interlocking the sheet metal pieces together, it created a sturdier structure and allowed for a rounded volume to be created.
final direction
Notch is made of a bead blasted aluminum, allowing the raw material to shine while having a softer finish. The slight reflective nature of the material allows it to take on hues from its environment, and seamlessly blend in to surrounding decor.
The lamp consists of 4 pieces of bead blasted aluminum, with an LED disc & cable that fasten to the underside of the shade using 2 PEM studs.
