Show RCA 2011: here's another project by Royal College of Art graduate Ki Hyun Kim: a balsa wood dining chair that weighs just 1.3 kilograms, making it even lighter than Gio Ponti's famous 1.7 kilogram Superleggera chair.
The chair is made of compressed balsa wood protected by hardwood veneer to give it structural stability and a tough outer shell, while keeping it much lighter than Gio Ponti's 1957 effort.
The chair, and a ladder made using the same technique (see image below) can be seen at Show RCA 2011 in London until 3 July.
See also: Alternative Alarm Clock by Ki Hyun Kim
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The text below is from Ki Hyun Kim:
1.3 Chair
In starting to design a wooden chair, I looked at the properties of woods.
What intrigued me most, was balsa wood.
Balsa is a hardwood; but very unique. It grows fast, is light in colour, with a very soft, warm texture. Most surprising is its weight, as the lightest of all woods.
Exploring this material, my process is based on reinterpreting craft techniques combined with developing alternatives to industrial methods.
Although seemingly disparate, the combination retains a commitment to experiment, challenge and innovate.
The chair intends to reflect practical considerations, in terms of production, use and everyday beauty, as well.
I wanted to hatch ideas on my own, experiment with forms, materials and techniques.
Material.
Balsa wood + Veneer + Lime wood
Dimension.
390 x 420 x 780 mm
Weight.
1.28 kg