Knus Chair - Denmark Study Abroad

“Knus”, which translates to “Hug” in Danish, was created to be a beautiful seating option using Scandinavian design principles of integrating simple yet impactful features. This chair has very inviting form language, focusing on using round contours which naturally feel welcoming. The back support of the chair extends out to a slightly larger radius curve than the seat, almost appearing as it is inviting the user to sit in it with it’s arms open - like a hug.

I designed and constructed this chair through a summer abroad in Copenhagen at DIS Denmark, studying under Tina Christensen and Erling Christoffersen.

Skills Necessary:

Scale model making, sketching, full scale drafting, confidence in the woodshop, laminating wood, bending wood using molds, human factors, upholstery, using the traditional method of soaping the grain of the wood

Problem solving, decision making to best enhance the design, user testing

Considerations for the Project:

·Want to design a seat around a circle, how to make that feasible with human factors and ensuring that there is stability of the chair (no tipping, and no chair legs in the way of where human legs naturally go on seating)

·Need to make sure back support is comfortable, need to determine what angle and height is best suited for project

·Keep the upholstered seat removable. You never know when something might spill on the seat and stain it, or if a pet’s nails might tear a hole in the fabric, so it needs to be easily replaced