I was approached to develop a teak bench set to be used in a steam shower.
THE CHALLENGE
Teak was the only suitable choice of wood due to the brutal environmental conditions the furniture would be subject to. The layout of the shower required space to access a balcony door, limiting the bench’s width. It also needed to be as tall as possible since steam rises. The nesting bench eliminated the possibility of a cross brace for the legs. The client also wanted an adjustable back for a range of reclining options. And due to material supplied by the client I had to be extremely efficient with which pieces used the thicker, more structural stock. Together these requirements made for a challenging build.
THE DESIGN
It was important to me to have the back to integrate seamlessly into the design. A slight arch to the top of the backrest allows for a ledge to lift from. I also needed its construction to be extremely robust without feeling overly monolithic. Collectively the benches have 184 mortise and tenons.
USE CASE
MY CONTRIBUTIONS
I served as senior designer on this project. I worked under the direction of Mark Goetz to bring the project’s collaborative elements together into a unified visual language. This included the organization and integration of Herman Miller’s harmonic tilt platform, creating assets for Dr. Walker’s ergonomic development and implementation, form development, upholstery detailing, and coordination with the Geiger team from concept selection through final tooling.
END RESULT
The end result of this collaborative effort was an internationally recognized and multiple award-winning product, the best of both worlds: Taper.
THE AWARDS
