YEAR: 2024
CATEGORY: Furniture Design, Secondhandwerk, Upcycling
ROLE: Concept, Design, Construction
CONTEXT: Submission for The Architect’s Chair, an open international design competition by Buildner
CLIENT / TYPE: Competition Project
TOOLS / MEDIUM: Readymade objects, second-hand furniture parts, hand tools, woodworking, photographic documentation
OUTPUT: Functional chair, swivel chair, photographic documentation

Junk Chair

Repurposing existing objects makes design more accessible and sustainable, fostering a deeper connection with everyday items.

Challenge
The competition asked participants to design a characteristic chair that reflects an individual design approach. The challenge was to create a functional and expressive piece of furniture without relying on new materials or complex production methods.

Approach
Junk Chair is based on the idea that existing objects can become the starting point for accessible and sustainable design. Instead of designing a chair from scratch, the project combines found and second-hand parts from different design contexts: an old plywood chair, reconstructed classic armrests and the base of a modern stool.

Process
The chair was built by testing how different readymade components could work together structurally, visually and ergonomically. The process focused on simple construction, direct making and the visible logic of assembly. The final object keeps its hybrid character. It does not hide its origins, but turns them into part of the design.

Result
The result is a functional swivel chair with a gas lift, armrests and a flexible seating position. It combines the familiarity of an old wooden chair with the mobility and adjustability of an office chair. The object was documented photographically and submitted to The Architect’s Chair competition.

Reflection
Junk Chair explores how furniture can be designed through reuse rather than replacement. Its value lies in the combination of existing parts, simple construction and everyday usability. The project shows that design can be practical, personal and sustainable without becoming overly polished or exclusive.