The reconstruction of second-hand furniture and scrap metal : inspired by the architectural structures of deconstructivism

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to explore and create an understanding of how architectural structures. that adhere to deconstructivist design principles, can inspire the reconstruction of second-hand school fumiture and scrap metal. The planned pieces will continue to create an awareness of sustainability, by designing for reuse. These functional fumiture pieces of low tables and chairs will be handcrafted, appealing to a niche market, or specific spaces and they will act as expressions of contradiction. This research will act as an addition to a body of knowledge, where I will primarily focus on contradicting the traditional form and aesthetic of furniture design. I have decided to create these functional pieces to express a new possible direction of furniture design. The study context is a potential confrontational experience in that I want to challenge the conventional form and aesthetics of fumiture design. These pieces of fumiture will be placed in a niche market where they will exist as one-offs that are not produced for mass-consumption, as they will be individually hand-erafted. These days more and more people are attempting to live in a more sustainable manner by practicing to reduce our consumption of products and resources; reuse that which we have disposed of and forgotten as consumers and to recycle waste products and transform them into a feasible afterlife (Martin, 2010). The theory is focused on Sohaill Inayatullah's theory of "Futures Thinking", and this .theory is further supported by Victor Margolin's study of changing existing situations into preferred ones. The research further reflects on Jacques Derrida's theory of deconstruction, and this research is further supported by the theory of sustainability, by designing for reuse, with a focus on Ezio Manzini. Therefore, my research study is concerned with confronting and challenging the conformity that the form of furniture and its aesthetic adhere to.