Archetype — Steam-Bent Hardwood Dining Chair

Year: April of 2017 (Emily Carr University, Industrial Design Graduation Project)

Project: Archetype Dining Chair

Material: European Beech Wood & Black Walnut

Steam bending unlocks shapes that exist within the cellular structure of wood — curves the material would otherwise resist. Heat and moisture soften the fibres long enough to set a new form. As the wood cools, it holds. The effort disappears into the material, and what remains looks entirely natural.

The Archetype shell is steam-bent and laminated in two plies. The lamination adds structural integrity without adding visual weight — the chair stays light, the curve stays clean. The compound contour is not decorative. It follows the natural posture of the body, which is why the chair is comfortable for a long dinner without being oversized or obviously ergonomic.

The joint connecting the shell to the base is a tongue-and-groove reinforced with a tapered spline. The spline is the detail worth noting — it draws tighter as load is applied, so the connection strengthens under use rather than loosening over time. It is also visible, which was a deliberate choice.

The Archetype began as a study in form — classical proportions, human scale, a single consistent arch radius on all sides. It has since become the foundational piece of the Loui collection, available in European beech and black walnut.