Designing a wide range of furniture pieces based on a theme of perpetual motion, the students received regular input and advice from Cappellini executives. The school and company then selected nine of the most successful concepts for presentation at ICFF.
Student Jesse Trentadue showed his Timbre Chairs, which are made from oversized cylinders of ash wood and connected with traditional joinery techniques. Dana Oxiles showed Chipboard Stools, paper-based perches that have surprising strength, thanks to a series of folds. Wang I Chao presented Chair with Belly Button – a set of three seats that can transform stairs, piles of books, floors, or other chairs into new seating surfaces. Edward Hale showed his lacquer and powder-coated steel DMC-12 cabinet, and Li-Rong Liao presented the Folded Felt Table. Whether Cappellini might actually produce a few of the pieces remains to be seen – “We’re waiting for Giulio [Cappellini] to come take a peek,” said Trentadue.