Project Overview

Barrel stool or side table is a utilitarian little object that uses reclaimed paint tin closure clamps to fix 16 individual staves without glue into a solid object.

Organisation

Craft Design Realisation / Studio Henry Wilson

Team

Tom Fereday

Project Brief

Entirely made in Australia, reuse of existing systems or innovation, reach a variety of price points, efficient to ship and easy to build. These are just a few of the limitations I set myself when designing the barrel stool.

Along side these the obvious considerations such as strength, material honesty and environmental impact have also been addressed.

Project Innovation / Need

This little barrel is made from thin, scrap size material. When it is machined accurately and aligned with the correct forces it creates a strong robust object.

The 40L paint tin closure clamps used to 'bundle' everything together were destined for the rubbish pile. Now the beauty and function of the noble little mechanism is put to new use as a clamp to hold sixteen individual staves in place without glue.

Design Challenge

The market needs honest furniture that will last a lifetime and is constructed in a way that people can understand. It is important for users of things to be engaged with their construction in order for them to create a bond.

Sustainability

Utilising what is essentially scrap sizes of timber is a great way to clean up the workshop and use material efficiently. By not using glue in the construction and making new use of the discarded paint tin closure clamp this object has considered it's environmental impact from the beginning.

The coopered barrel form has proven itself as well resolved method of construction. It is important to make objects which will last, both formally and structurally. That for me is sustainable.