Between Engineering and Craft - Lounge Chair
Viktor Hubbertz
HDK-Valand – Academy of Art and Design
This lounge chair was developed as part of my MA thesis, exploring how digital engineering tools can enhance a craft-based furniture design process. Using topology optimization and finite element analysis (FEA), I translated computational results into a manufacturable wooden object through material understanding, craftsmanship, and iterative prototyping. Built from steam-bent oak laminations, the chair combines traditional woodworking techniques with digital optimization to achieve structural efficiency and expressive form. The project proposes a workflow where engineering, design, and craftsmanship converge, encouraging more sustainable material use while preserving the value of skilled making and demonstrating the potential of computationally informed furniture design.