This chair was produced for and exhibit in 2001, its production was a vehicle to explore packing industry manufacturing techniques, to query weather or not more durable goods could be made from a process that typically yields ultimately discarded components. In addition it was an opportunity to explore 3d modeling software applications for the purposes of understanding when and how to render physical objects as nurbs models, polygon models and solid models, in the contexts of small run production through computer aided manufacturing processes.

SC380 was realized as a prototype by utilized high end, low end and even origami share wares software packages to develop the highly precise 3d models, Unfolded 2d CAD drawings and ultimately the CNC knife cut sample parts made by a local box making company in Southern California.

Although today many of the software packages incorporate many if not all the functionalities necessary to produce such a complex set of components 5 years ago this was not the case. As with many of our projects the resultant chair is more consequence of a study of a set of relationships than intended to be a discrete or refined design object.

Initially we intention to consider a small run production of such a chair that could be mailed as its own box and act as a 3d advertisement and public relations mailer for HPI’s design development expertise logistical issues including cubic freights costs, “no bid” responses form tool makers due to the complexity of the cutting dies we would have needed and most importantly the overwhelming bids on assembling costs brought an early end to the inquiry after the production of two prototypes.