Main Project Part 2

For my main project this semester, I set out to create an Adirondack-style chair, originally envisioning it built from old skis my dad had collected since the 1980s. This chair was meant to celebrate our shared love of skiing and the retro, adventurecore aesthetic of 90s ski culture. I planned to surprise my dad with the completed chair as a gift, bringing his long-held idea to life. However, early in the process, I discovered my dad still wanted to use those skis for a project we could eventually do together, which led me to pivot my design in a new direction while maintaining a personal and rustic aesthetic (Image 1 and Featured Image).

The new idea was to build a chair entirely out of wood, using materials sourced locally. My neighbor was having a tree removed, and I saw an opportunity to upcycle its branches and trunk sections into usable lumber (Image 2).

This shift moved my aesthetic from retro ski culture to something more natural and rustic, inspired by mountain cabins and organic textures.

My design process followed several key phases. Exploration began with rough sketches and CAD models of the original ski chair concept. This early stage helped clarify proportions and structure, even though the materials later changed. One of the images I included in my final documentation shows the tree I used to make the chair, highlighting my connection to local, repurposed materials.

Next came skill acquisition. I hadn’t worked extensively with raw, uneven wood before, so I spent time researching how to strip bark, sand irregular surfaces, and cut logs into usable pieces. I practiced these techniques using smaller branches before moving on to the larger sections.

The project then moved into a looping phase, where I continually adjusted the design as I learned how the raw materials behaved. Certain branches were too soft or irregular, so I altered the size and shape of various chair components to accommodate what the wood would allow. An example of a raw piece of wood that I used to make of the pieces of this is shown here (Image 3).

During this period, I also did my shopping at a local hardware store, picking up bolts, screws, and sanding supplies.

Fabrication was the most intensive phase. I started by using an axe to cut the larger logs into rough lengths. Then, I used a band saw to refine these pieces into usable parts for the seat, backrest, and legs. Each stick of wood required sanding to remove bark and splinters. An image included in my documentation shows one of the sticks I processed, illustrating the transformation from natural branch to chair component. I carefully planned where each cut and hole would be made, similar to building a small log structure. The assembly was done by drilling pilot holes and fastening the pieces together with screws and bolts.

For documentation, I photographed each step of the process, including before-and-after images of the tree, the individual sticks, and the final chair. The last image in my presentation is of the completed chair itself, showing its rustic, handmade character.

In conclusion, while my project started as a nostalgic nod to ski culture, it evolved into a reflection of my connection to natural materials and local craftsmanship. I wish I had been able to incorporate a moving element like a rocker base, which was part of my tentative plan. In the future, I might revisit the idea of adding ski elements, perhaps replacing the backrest with repurposed skis to blend both aesthetics. For now, the chair will live on my family’s deck, a functional reminder of this project’s journey and the value of adapting designs to unexpected challenges while preserving personal meaning.

Chat GPT was used as an aid in the writing of this article.

Works Cited:

Image 1: A picture of my main product.

Image 2: A picture of the tree.

Image 3: One of the stalk pieces I used in the design of this product.