In a two-week workshop at vitra campus in Weil am Rhein, we will develop and build twelve chairs for the landscape. The choice of a precise location during an excursion to the surroundings will set the premises for the drafts. Ideas for a specific use are developed and constructive necessities have to be taken into consideration.

We will implement the drafts in the vitra workshop building or directly on-site, where they will be presented and discussed in a final critique. Our approach to the task is explicitly experimental: the chairs are not required to needs of serial production or technical perfection. Well-grounded inputs inform about the choice of materials (wood, metal, textile, plastic) and technics (glueing, srewing, welding, sewing, casting) used in furniture building.

The Summer School is accompanied by an inspiring framework programme: At Vitra campus we will discover the production process of the legendary Eames Aluminium Chair as well as the Vitra test center and the furniture collection of the Vitra Design Museum. Visits of exhibitions and museum architecture in Basel complete the programme.

We strictly require an all-over participation of both the elective course and the elective thesis.

Elective course

Date: 18th June to 21st June 2018.
Location: Vitra Campus, Weil am Rhein / Basel
Task: Draft of a chair, developed for a specific use and location in the landscape.

Elective thesis

Date: 22nd June to 1st July 2018.
Location: Vitra Campus, Weil am Rhein / Basel
Task: Experimental implementation of the drafts in the workshop building or directly on-site. The projects are reviewed and discussed in a final presentation.

Administration

Costs: 650 CHF including accommodation in Basel, materials for the chairs, lunch at Vitra Campus, and excursions/guided tours.

The number of students for this course is limited to 12.

The course is held in German and English. Detailed information will follow after the application period.

Enrolment

Students are accepted based on a portfolio application. Please send your documents until 11th February 2018 to Max Leiß, leiss@arch.ethz.ch. Your portfolio should include 2-3 of your projects as well as a short motivation letter. You will know about your acceptance to the course by 19th February 2018.