Science plays an important role in developing new ideas and making more creative designs possible. Indeed, technological advancements have their input in the furniture industry, and thanks to computer programs that make it possible to sketch designs. Moreover, scientists have succeeded in synthesizing materials that are not readily found in nature; they have managed to go far beyond the traditionally-used materials.
Applying different scientific fields in furniture design gave room for more creative possibilities. For example, imagine a rocking chair consisting of two circles and a seat between them. It is physics that made it possible to determine the balance point to prevent the sitting person from falling.
Another example is making bookshelves with a self-contained chair and stool that can maintain their balance regardless of the number of books they carry. The chair serves as the basis for the design, where all the shelves are either horizontal or vertical and perpendicular or parallel to the chair. This item relies heavily on geometry and trigonometry to measure the angles, lengths, and locations.
On the other hand, computer programs create unique irregular designs. There is the Computer Aided Design (CAD) technology based on the concept of digital manufacturing; CAD files can control machinery through two approaches: computer numerical control and rapid prototyping. The former covers a scope of operations and procedures—such as engraving, laser cutting, lathe turning and wood routers—while the latter makes easy and complicated geometries through binding very delicate sheets of liquid or powder.
If you are not impressed enough yet, let me tell you that now we can use fungi to make furniture. Tables and chairs are made using mushroom composites that provide an alternative option to wood, plastic, and other materials. These products are natural, free of toxins, and compostable.
Production starts with adding mycelium* tissue to an agricultural byproduct that has a carbon base, such as cornhusks and sawdust; the mycelium uses said-byproduct to create a huge fiber web, which is later transferred into a mold. The fibers grow filling the mold, which is then placed in an oven to denature proteins and kill fungi. Mycelium can be shaped into myriads of forms and textures through manipulating temperature or carbon dioxide levels.
Mushroom furniture looks like rocks, but is only a little tougher than cardboard; by mixing with nutrients and other components, it can be strong like balsa wood or soft like cork. Wooden legs are added as a structural base. A marble-esque substance used for tabletops can be custom-made from bacteria that create calcium carbonate around sand grains. Adjusting the temperature or pH level, modifying the sand size, or even adding colors to the mixture can create different products ranging from bricks to tabletops.
The main problem facing the industrialization of this unusual furniture is that it is not commercial, since it is still too costly for production to compete with regular furniture.
Moreover, now we can create organic table legs. These are planted with a biopolymer bracket placed on the sprouting bamboo shoot. When it sprouts, it binds with the plastic as anticipated. Upon reaching the desired height, it is chopped and then soaked in natural rubber to make table feet. The plastic makes attaching the tabletop to the legs an easier and more simple process, which was typically a problematic task.
We also have the Orbit Chair which uses the human bone structure as the basis for its design. It was created with the help of a prosthetics company. The chair I is light and sturdy, and the seat and back are built as one piece. The rigidity is due to the two plywood layers that have a gap between them. They are then condensed into an intricate curved design. The design provides high strength compared to the weight ratio it can endure, and uses less resources.
Modern furniture industry relies on many aspects, such as computer designs and the use of different sciences to produce imaginative designs. New materials will keep coming up in response to continuous research and experimentation. Indeed, science and creativity provide endless possibilities that would definitely add smart and elegant touches to our homes.
*Mycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus, and is made up of white- or cream-colored fungal threads or filaments.
References
popsci.com
behance.net
thisoldhouse.com
blogs.scientificamerican.com
plus.maths.org