First

The design of 'First' stems from a love of symmetry and unique assemblies. Wanting to explore the experience of sitting in a chair that is reclined for leisure, as well as members that match, rather than settling for the conventional upright form. A scalene triangle where all the primary structure elements meet: the seat and back, front and rear legs, and the rear support joining the legs with the back. The primary seat function member of the chair is emphasized by end grain, creating a line with dark endpoints symbolizing the desire to emphasize the front and top supports for the main structural curve that connects the seat and the back together. Measurements of the maker's body were collected in order to customize the dimensions of the chair to the exact anatomical specifications of the maker’s body. All components of ‘First’ come from the same piece of maple, milled and cut in-house. The pieces were ripped down to ⅛” strips that were applied to an MDF formwork after being steamed, then steamed again and glued to the formwork to retain the shape. Traditional mortise and tenon joints were used to fasten all seat and seat back pieces to the framework, as well as the horizontal support members. Lastly, ‘First’ was protected and glazed in multiple coats of Danish oil with sanding sessions in between coats.