Phyllotaxis Modular Seating System

School of Visual Arts | New York NY

Project idea

Phyllotaxis is the radial grid structure usually found in plants like sunflowers or pinecones. The number of spiral lines going clockwise and counterclockwise follows the numbers in the Fibonacci sequence. This chair grows from the grid but transforms into a form resembling phyllotaxis with every interaction or intention by the users. The design of the seating aims for Sustainable, Economical, Ship-able, Compact, Multifunction, and Repairable aspects by implanting diverse manipulations of the cardboard.

Project description

The Phyllotaxis Modular Seating System is a cardboard seating that transforms space to nurture different social dynamics. It can be used in two modes: Concave mode creates an enclosed space that evokes communication among the groups and gives privacy to the space by enclosing high partitions of the backrest. A certain amount of transparency allows the people outside to know that the space is occupied. Convex mode is great for rest or individual activities. The backrest transforms to look like a tree, that is now opened and welcomes people to sit.

Technical information

The density of the grid in seating becomes different in each mode, and the density alters the people's perception of 'where to sit.' In concave mode, the grid is denser to the edge of the seating. People will believe the dense part is favorable to sit, which shortens their distance to sit closer to each other. The seating grid density shifts to be closer to the backrest in convex mode. The density will guide people to sit and lean on the backrest, like the role of a tree trunk. In each mode, the center point turns our body to be closer to someone next to us, or rotate ourselves to exclude communication and concentrate on individual work.