Matthew Schott Industrial Designer
The "Baikal" Series of Furniture
Sophomore-Senior Year, Fabrication Study - Spring '20, Spring '21, Fall '22​
Fall '22 - 16 Weeks
Russia's Baikal region sees a cycle of thaw & freeze during the harsh winters. A frozen lake at the bottom of the mountains collects stones on its' surface. The sun's light warms their surface, and the ice around it thaws with time. Areas in shadow remain untouched. Gradually, the stones becoming suspended on delicate ice pillars.
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Jouney - Cycle - Support - Dignity
After initial ideation to capture the feel of the Baikal phenomena, a seating/posture rig was provided to students to measure themselves. These acquired proportions helped students to properly scale their final designs for best personal fit.
A base of standard office chair componentry ensures replication in a number of different colors and materials, while the main body consists of bent Birch plywood. This is done by steaming multiple layers of 1/8" veneer, forming them in a mold under pressure, re-wetting & applying a layer of moisture activated epoxy resin, and placing them back into the mold again.
The seat was made by first cutting a platform then adding threaded inserts. The inserts bind the pad to the final assembly. Foam padding is trimmed to size & glued to the platform, then cloth is glued to the pad, folded over & stapled in place.
An oscilating cutting tool allows for the creation of the foot rest and handle elements. The form is then trimmed, sanded, and finished with Butcher Block Oil. The final assembly is acheived with 4 Bolts threaded through the base into the seat.
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Spring '21 - Side Table - 4 Weeks
Prototype at 1/2 Scale, CNC'd Maple Plywood & MIG welded Tube Steel. Sanded & degreased prior to painting, mounted using low profile 3d printed brackets.
Spring '20 - Coffee Table - 8 Weeks
Prototype at 1/3 Scale, CNC'd Maple Plywood & 1.5" Dowels. Finished model is was Stained and Sealed .
