INDUSTRIAL / FURNITURE
Almaz Stool
The brief was a set of stools that could be built quickly and repeatably. Most stools separate seat and base through material or form, and we set out to avoid that. Starting from a folded paper model, we developed a bent sheet-metal form using negative space and thoughtfully revealed hardware to create moments of visual intrigue, with a modular leg system that kept assembly of all three stools efficient.
ROLE
Industrial Designer
TEAM
Zach Kennedy + Alex Munro
TIMELINE
2 months
MATERIALS
Oak, powder coated sheet metal, turned spacers
DESIGN GOALS + INSPIRATION
Intention of Form
The design should consider intention of form, creating a sense of thoughtfulness and wonder openly
Repeatable Process
Since a set of stools were to be created, the building and assembly had to be time efficient and repetitive
Disk Seat
Several stools use the idea of a separate seat and base through material choices or form, but the goal was to avoid this common approach
IDEATION
Would be a large footprint if at a typical stool height
Having a modular leg system would allow easier assembly of 3 stools
Interested in doing something a little quirky
THE TURN
Coming from the concept of a hexagonal form, this simple folded paper model became the starting point of the final concept
A FULL SCALE MODEL AND TESTING
01
The gap tested at different widths to ensure a comfortable sit, free of any notable pressure points
02
The stool's surfaces were kept uninterrupted, with Visible hardware intentionally avoided, only revealed through the gap as a subtle detail
03
to emphasize the negative space Between the panels, we tested the gap at different widths to see how much light each one let through
The spacers were tested for strength, for a shape that fit the stool's design language, and for how much light they let through the gap
FINAL ASSEMBLY
SPACERS
The spacers located at the top had reliefs on the backside to accommodate the screw heads that held the seats to the sheet metal.
A STOOL COLLECTION
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