The Prism Chair
Solo Project
For the community, by the community.
Mini Factory
Metal Work
Community Design
What is The Prism Chair
It is a chair made up of a number of prism shaped structures, assembled in a particular way. Given its design, it can be transformed into different shapes. It is meant to be placed in public spaces and be altered by the users of the space.
Composed of just one material and made using very basic manufacturing techniques, it is very easy to replicate. This approach was chosen so anyone can build a prism and attach it to the existing structure, thereby making it a collaborative piece.
How does it work?
The design is inspired by the snake cube children’s toy which is made up of multiple prisms attached in series, rotatable of two axes. This allows the toy to be shaped into numerous forms with the twist of individual prisms. One can add as many prisms as one wants in series and increase the number of possible shapes.
Design Process
The project was inspired by the words:
Community,
Transform,
Play,
and Geometry.
Context
It is a common phenomenon for structures in open spaces such as parks, to become centres of activity as people tend to gravitate to the level difference in space. Such structures are used for sitting, meeting, socialising, and become a target of graffiti among other things.
Building on that sense of community, I wanted to build a chair that interacts with multiple people at once. Like graffiti on walls, done on top of existing art, one can build upon the work of previous contributors by adding their own prism and transforming the whole project.
Transform, Play
The gallery shows some ways in which the prisms can be assembled to transform the structure into different forms. This playful element allows one to make the chair their own by adding a twist to it.
Build your own Prism
Materials required:
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Mild Steel Angle ( 25mm x 25mm x 3mm) : 3.5 metres
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Aluminium Angle ( 25mm x 25 mm x 3mm) : 100mm
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Aluminium Strip (25mm x 3mm) : 500mm
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Pop Rivets (4mm x 11mm) : 20 pieces
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M8 nuts and bolts
Downloadable guide coming soon.
Build Instructions
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Imagine a prism as two isosceles right angled triangles joint by three spines.
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Cut the mild steel angles according to the following dimensions:
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4 x 350 mm (sides of isosceles triangles)
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3 x 300 mm (spines connecting the two triangles)
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2 x 460 mm (bases of isosceles triangles)
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Angle the 350 mm pieces so they can be assembled into a 90˚ angle as required.
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Angle the 350mm and the 460mm pieces such that they can form the two 45˚ angles of the triangle.
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Cut aluminium angle as well as strip into 40mm pieces. These will serve as the joints for all the metal pieces.
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Drill 4mm holes into edges of all pieces where they will be joined with other pieces.
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Use aluminium angle to make the 90˚ angle with the 350mm mild steel pieces and pop rivet it into place. Pop rivet the central spine onto the same angle. Repeat on the other side.
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Use 40mm aluminium strip for all other joints and pop rivet into place.
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Add 8mm x 8mm holes on all sides of the spines, spaced 17.5 cm from the centre of the spine.
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Use M8 nuts and bolts to add your prism to existing structure.
