Ceramic Chair Design Inspired by Patterns of Gerpertia, Monstera and Philodendron

Abstract

The research project of ceramic chair design inspired by patterns of Gerpertia, Monstera and Philodendron aimed 1) to test and improve the properties of Ban Kong local clay be able to withstand high temperatures to produce a ceramic seat pad; 2) to investigate characteristics of popular foliage plants including Gerpertia, Monstera and Philodendron to develop creative patterns for ceramic chair; and 3) to study patterns of round chairs for designing a ceramic chair inspired by patterns of Gerpertia, Monstera and Philodendron. The material used was clay for making braziers in Ban Kong Sub-district, Nong Ruea District, Khon Kaen Province, and it was compressed for the design. The patterns were designed by emphasizing feelings of softness and comfortability through using curves with natural tones and cool castes representing relaxation. It was expected that the design would make the product unique and useful simultaneously. The result exhibited that there were 6 ceramics seat pads including 2 round seat pads, 2 hexagonal seat pads and 2 octagonal seat pads with a diameter of 25 cm. and a thickness of 3.5 cm. The seat pads were formed through soil compression in plaster mold technique by using 60:40 grog and local-clay mixture. The semi-glossy coating used for the ceramic chairs contained a mixture of 20-percent limestone, 35-percent soda felspar and 25-percent kaolin by adding chrome-green and titanium oxide colors. The products were burned at 1,200 degrees in a completely combustion atmosphere (Oxidation Fire). It was elucidated that the local clay after mixing with grog could be formed using the soil compression in plaster mold having 3.5-cm thickness. The coating of the 3.5-kg round ceramic chairs revealed a few cracks; however, they were strong and gave a feeling of stability when seated.