Innovative School Chair Concept Redefines Repair and Customization

A new chair concept, known as Carrousel, designed by Thibaud Rollet, aims to revolutionize the way we think about school furniture by prioritizing disassembly and repair. Unlike traditional chairs such as the legendary Mullca, renowned for their durability but difficult to maintain, Carrousel embraces a design that allows users to easily replace parts and even 3D print components at home.

The Carrousel chair draws inspiration from the classic silhouette of nostalgic school chairs while shifting the focus to user-friendly assembly and maintenance. Its construction features a bent or laminated wooden frame that supports the legs and backrest, while horizontal traverse pieces bear the structural load. The seat and backrest consist of separate panels, each secured with four screws. This design allows for repeated removal and reattachment without damaging the wood or stripping the threads.

3D printing plays a significant role in the Carrousel concept. Users can create replacement or customized parts to refresh the chair’s look. The covering L-shaped pieces that fit over the joints between the frame and the seat or backrest are particularly suited for 3D printing. By allowing users to change colors, textures, or shapes, the design encourages personal expression and customization, transforming a functional joint into a canvas for creativity.

The visible screws and straightforward joinery send a clear message that Carrousel is intended to be taken apart and reassembled. This openness is intentional, as it invites users to engage in the maintenance process. The aesthetic of the chair highlights its assembly rather than concealing it, fostering a sense of ownership and encouraging individuals to refresh worn panels or experiment with new parts.

By providing an easy way to swap out a backrest or change covering pieces, Carrousel aims to enhance the emotional connection users have with their furniture. When individuals invest time into customizing or repairing their chairs, they are less likely to discard them due to minor issues. This shift from a focus on indestructibility to an emphasis on repairability could significantly reduce furniture waste.

The Carrousel chair concept represents a broader trend in design philosophy, suggesting that future everyday furniture may prioritize ease of maintenance and personalization over the traditional notion of lasting durability. This approach not only extends the lifespan of furniture but also promotes sustainability, potentially keeping more items out of landfills than conventional methods of construction.

In conclusion, Thibaud Rollet’s Carrousel chair concept challenges the status quo of school furniture design by redefining the relationship between users and their furniture. By emphasizing repairability and customization, Carrousel not only promises to enhance user experience but also contributes to a more sustainable future in furniture design.