Monobloc 2.0 - the world's most common chair, 3D printed from ecologically sound materials

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The project aims to examine the Monobloc Chair, with more than 1 billion examples sold the world's most common chair, under a new set of paradigms, utilising ecologically sound materials, distributed production and 3D printing. How do these new conditions inform the shape and the functional performance? Is it possible to create a Monobloc Chair 2.0 to showcase the potentials of a post-CO2 economy? The Monobloc is the world's most common chair, with more than 1 billion examples sold. Initially launched as an upmarket product in France, it is nowadays universally used in a variety of contexts. Its generous form alludes to an upholstered armchair, a symbol of wealth and contemplation. Its well rounded edges offer a high level of comfort, for people of varying sizes and shapes. The chair is light, easy to handle and can be stacked. It is durable, easily cleaned and can be left outside.The Monobloc's wide distribution is certainly owed to its unbeatably low price: one chair costs about $1. Produced in large numbers, utilising an industrial injection moulding process, it is currently made from Polypropelene.The project aims to develop the Monobloc, a strong icon of a globalised world, further, in relationship to a new set of paradimgs:1. Ecologically sound materials: Circular, non-fossile materials can be biologically degraded or fully recycled at the end of their functional life, without a loss of performance2. Decentralised Production: Regional (computer-controlled) production facilities induce lower transportation emissions, can utilise locally available materials and potentially allow for area-specific alterations of form3. 3D Printing: Thermoplastic 3D-printing is characterised by a layered, non-homogenous build-up which requires adapted design and construction strategiesThe project encompasses the following work packages:1. specification of functional, technical, aesthetic performance factors2. research and identification of suitable, 3D printable materials3. research of historical and current approaches to furniture in plastics (via Vitra)4. design and physical testing of various 3D-printing sample parts (load testing, weight/strength ratio)5. design of various structural detail designs (vertical-horizontal connection) using FEA6. physical testing of various structural detail designs7. conclusively, specification of relevant geometry and process parameters8. iterative design and prototyping 1:1 (using large format 3D printing)9. optional testing of ageing properties10. conclusion and final 1:1 prototypesIntroduction to Monobloc Chair on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monobloc_(chair)

Project Idea Metadata

• Project Idea Name: Monobloc 2.0 - the world's most common chair, 3D printed from ecologically sound materials
• Date: 3/21/2022 12:21:49 PM
• Administrators:
  • Yves Ebnoether

Project Idea Description

The Monobloc is the world's most common chair, with more than 1 billion examples sold. Initially launched as an upmarket product in France, it is nowadays universally used in a variety of contexts. Its generous form alludes to an upholstered armchair, a symbol of wealth and contemplation. Its well rounded edges offer a high level of comfort, for people of varying sizes and shapes. The chair is light, easy to handle and can be stacked. It is durable, easily cleaned and can be left outside.

The Monobloc's wide distribution is certainly owed to its unbeatably low price: one chair costs about $1. Produced in large numbers, utilising an industrial injection moulding process, it is currently made from Polypropelene.

The project aims to develop the Monobloc, a strong icon of a globalised world, further, in relationship to a new set of paradimgs:

1. Ecologically sound materials:

Circular, non-fossile materials can be biologically degraded or fully recycled at the end of their functional life, without a loss of performance

2. Decentralised Production:

Regional (computer-controlled) production facilities induce lower transportation emissions, can utilise locally available materials and potentially allow for area-specific alterations of form

3. 3D Printing:

Thermoplastic 3D-printing is characterised by a layered, non-homogenous build-up which requires adapted design and construction strategies

The project encompasses the following work packages:

1. specification of functional, technical, aesthetic performance factors

2. research and identification of suitable, 3D printable materials

3. research of historical and current approaches to furniture in plastics (via Vitra)

4. design and physical testing of various 3D-printing sample parts (load testing, weight/strength ratio)

5. design of various structural detail designs (vertical-horizontal connection) using FEA

6. physical testing of various structural detail designs

7. conclusively, specification of relevant geometry and process parameters

8. iterative design and prototyping 1:1 (using large format 3D printing)

9. optional testing of ageing properties

10. conclusion and final 1:1 prototypes

Introduction to Monobloc Chair on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monobloc_(chair)

The project aims to examine the Monobloc Chair, with more than 1 billion examples sold the world's most common chair, under a new set of paradigms, utilising ecologically sound materials, distributed production and 3D printing. How do these new conditions inform the shape and the functional performance? Is it possible to create a Monobloc Chair 2.0 to showcase the potentials of a post-CO2 economy?