Herman Miller: Ladder

Overview:

My project, inspired by human actions I observed in the De Pree House, intertwines emotions with space through material craftsmanship. Utilizing Sycamore, I crafted a staircase to touch transom windows to enhance interaction between family spaces. This transformative experience created shared moments for children and parents, discovering Herman Miller's brand history and viewing furniture as a medium for user interaction.

Timeline: 2023.1 - 2023.5

Tool: All kinds of Woodworking tools, Rhinoceros, Keyshot, Autodesk 3ds Max

Skill: Fly-on-the-wall observation, Brand research, Ideation, Design sketch, Prototyping, Technical Drawings, Woodworking, Rendering, Design validation.

Academic Project with Herman Miller

Design Question

How can furniture invite people to interact with architectural elements like windows and doors?
How can furniture be used to craft moments shared equally among families?

Herman Miller Research

Onsite Field Trip

Commissioned by Max De Pree, son of Herman Miller's founder D.J. De Pree, the Eameses designed a home in Zeeland, Michigan. To commence the process, Charles and Ray engaged the De Pree family, gaining insights into their daily life and interactions with furniture, shaping the design to meet their unique needs.

Inspired by Charles and Ray Eames, I envision Max De Pree's family interacting naturally with the space. Observing traces of object use, I seek new design opportunities.

Observation

Robert Propst pioneered innovative workplace designs, notably Action Office II and Coherent Structures (Co/Struc). Action Office II featured a mobile wall unit with interchangeable components, creating a flexible work environment. Propst's insights birthed the modern cubicle, promoting freedom and adaptability. Coherent Structures addressed broader challenges with an integrated system. Propst's visionary approach reshaped design across various applications.

Brand Research

Insights from research:

Reimagines furniture as architectural elements within a system
Introduces interchangeability as a key feature
Space as a fluid entity

Insights & Early Ideation

Concept Development

Design Concept

Formally inspired by the staircase and transom windows in the De Pree House—an exploration of vertical space and poetic architectural elements—my design endeavors to establish tangible connections between individuals and these emotive design elements. Working with Sycamore, a material naturally wind down present in the De Pree House, I aimed to capture the enduring memories of the Herman Miller founder with his children. Crafting a staircase from Sycamore and incorporating poetic, untouchable transom windows addressed the lack of interaction between family spaces. This design created a monumental experience where children and parents ascend together, sharing the breathtaking beauty of the space.

Mood Board & Inspiration

Materials

Naturally wind down Sycromore in De Pree House

58.27 (length) * 35.5(Width)* 50.33(Height)

Dimension

Wood Finish

Osmo matte

I used metal rod, ply wood, bristol paper for early model exploration

Early Iteration

Site Specific

The transom windows of De Pree House:
width (2’-4’’ around 1.67feet)
Above the ground(6’-8’’) 5 feet 4inch
From the ground to the top of the transom window is 7 feet
The dimension of thread: 6 inches
The riser for adult stair: 7 inches
The riser for children : 4.75 inches

Orthographic Drawing

Digital iteration

& Constructional drawing

Fabrication Process

1/4 Model & Full Scale Mock-up

The fabrication process begins with meticulously milling the wood to the desired thickness, followed by precise cuts using a table saw to achieve accurate dimensions. Half lap joinery is crafted using the table saw, with Sycamore dowels for reinforcement. Utilizing a CNC machine, the support horizontal parts of the ladder are cut out with precision. Finally, assembly is completed with a strong adhesive to achieve a flawless finish for the design.