Project Overview

I had seen the need for a designer range of outdoor furniture that would be hardwearing enough to stand up to all elements of the Australian outdoors.
Originally adopted and described as “Coastal rustic,” Chris Knight Designs “Swell Sun Lounge” offers a statement design of coastal style mixed with rustic timber features suitable for all Australian Outdoor lifestyles. Clever use of the recycled plastic and Australian hardwood materials guarantees an extended life of the furniture. The sleek design, durability and ingenuity of this Sun lounge rocking chair is the driving force and inspiration for my Outdoor Furniture range.

Organisation

chris knight designs

Team

Chris Knight, Bianca Torrens, Bree Torrens

Project Brief

To design an outdoor furniture range that would stand up to our harsh Australian climate, it would ultimately have to distinguish itself to consumers with several factors. A unique and ingenious design, aesthetic appeal, functional ability and minimal maintenance are all incorporated into this project. The “Swell Sun Lounge” presents an expansion of the classic rocking chair and sun lounge, inspired by the calm protected waters of Hervey Bay. With this in mind, the oceanic elements are drafted through the aesthetic design highlighted by the white wave breaker. This unique design is further reflected in the soothing motion of gentle swells. The “Swell Sun Lounge” integrates precision axis construction, which allows for the continued gentle motion as if you are floating on the ocean. This project seeks to motivate the Australian consumers to invest in Australian designed and made product.

Project Innovation/Need

Today’s consumers are looking for an innovative enduring design and an alternative to the current market’s mass produced furniture. We design furniture that extends the style, comfort and popularity of the emerging outdoor room concept. The “Swell Sun Lounge” distinguishes it from other outdoor furniture by its unique shape, individuality and enduring quality. The chair is perfectly balanced to provide the consumer both a stable and mobile comfortable seat. The lengthening of the seat thereby converting into a sun lounge further allows the consumer to fully relax. The ‘coastal rustic’ feel is further inspired by a childhood memory of daytrips to the beach, scribing words into the sand. The consumer can create individuality and personalize the Sun lounge by the selection of inspired words and expressions by the incorporation of customized etched resin filled words into the timber. Significant consideration for the sustainability and durability of this project was examined and refined. The “Swell Sun Lounge’s” innovative design highlights and showcases Australian sustainable materials. The quality and materials used in this product assured consumers of both these aspects. The use of UV protected Hardwood timber and recycled UV plastic has been utilized for these reasons.

Design Challenge

The issues of the “Swell Sun Lounge” project faced were predominately practical and functional challenges, however I struggled to preserve a unique swell shape that maintained an understated beauty and simplistic design. To my frustration, I would leave a notebook beside my bed so that I could draw what I had imagined in my dreams the previous night. A series of prototypes were then drafted and constructed. My greatest hindrance was the rocking axis point of the chair’s rocking motion. This was pivotal as the final components had to balance with and without a person using it. The axis point and backrest were re-positioned several times. The practicalities of surviving the Australian climate presented the next challenge. The extreme climate conditions necessitated that all construction aspects had to withstand all seasons and elements. The incorporation of recycled plastic fulfilled these requirements and endures the poolside as well as being an eco-friendly product. The finishing process was again refined by the introduction of UV varnish to, not only protect the timber but the poolside consumer. Collectively, these were the key considerations that all components utilized were water resistant, UV stable, anti-rust and required little maintenance.

Sustainability

As this project progressed, the sustainability aspect evolved coincidently. In keeping with the theme ‘coastal rustic’ style, the “Swell Sun Lounge’s” base is constructed from an Australian plastic product made from 100% recycled HDPE plastic. The chosen colour white retains the clean coastal finish and can be adapted to any consumer’s outdoor room. The rustic design aesthetic was evolved through the introduction of Australian Mixed Hardwood. The beautiful array of mixed colours and blends showcases a uniquely Australian product that is sustainability sourced from the local sawmill. This sawmill has its own Australian Forestry Chain of Custody accreditation. In addition to the sustainable timber and recycled plastic, the sourcing and refining of the project guarantee’s that the “Swell Sun Lounge” is an economically and environmentally sustainable design and continues to generate a lower Carbon foot print for Australian conscious consumers.