Kinematic Coupling Chair, Formwork-less Concrete Chair
Design by: Naïve Practice

Introduction

Naïve practice is a philosophy that seeks design practices which acknowledge and invite diverse agents to participate in the design and construction process in architecture. According to this philosophy, the profession of architectural design has developed a narrowly professionalized scope. The separation between design, engineering, and construction has imposed limitations on potential and imagination in the building process. Therefore, this practice aims to reimagine the industrial and legal framework of contemporary architectural practice. This perspective understands architecture as a form of interaction, a mechanism and process involving the participation of multiple architectural agents. Through projects and research, naïve practice engages in a creative and collaborative effort, requiring active involvement and careful coordination among uneven construction sites, uncertain materials, and the unquantifiable skills of craftsmen.

Kinematic Coupling Chair

Design Intent

Kelvin and Maxwell designed and mathematically demonstrated that minimal point contact between two objects ensures better positional accuracy. This principle reinforces why ball contact joint systems are used in mechanical engineering. The precision of a kinematic joint is achieved by constraining the degrees of freedom of the moving axis. However, this stool design follows a different approach.

The terrain shaping joint system allows for a greater range of motion, including sliding, rotating, and shifting, while still enabling the user to find a stable position. This simulates how people discover comfortable points and positions through movement, adjustment, and stabilization. There is no perfect fit or ideal shape for human comfort. Instead, this stool provides an ongoing opportunity to seek a subtle state of comfort through repeated movement and adjustment.

Dimensions: 280 × 280 × 495 mm
Materials: Cypress wood (top seat), Concrete (bottom seat), Oak (legs)

Formwork-less Concrete Chair

Design Intent

In concrete construction, formwork often accounts for more than 50 percent of the total cost, making it an expensive and decisive process. This study investigates methods of producing concrete objects without traditional formwork. Traditionally, formwork defines the geometric expression, an idea that prioritizes form over considerations of material properties and construction. By removing this constraint, the research explores whether previously unknown material properties and new expressions of concrete can be revealed.

The process of making the stool begins by creating a base to temporarily hold the wooden legs, which are tied with steel reinforcement. The concrete mixture is then poured over this assembly and allowed to flow down under gravity, similar to lava. The final shape is determined entirely by gravity and the viscosity of the concrete. Although this means precise geometry cannot be replicated, the process can produce a series of consistent stools within predictable parameters. This fabrication method raises questions about the possibilities that emerge when architects relinquish control of exact geometry and instead work closely with the material properties and the making process.

Dimensions: 330 × 330 × 500 mm
Materials: Concrete (bottom seat), Oak (legs)