The Student Union Building (SUB) is known for having a fairly large free lounging space for students and campus goers alike which many know it as the “campus living room”.
However, the space has been known for crowding, too dark, and outworn.
As part of a design graduates thesis , this project focused on redesigning the 2nd floor’s lounging environment by replacing the existing furniture with a more efficient ergonomic setup.
Design Brief
Create a design that:
Addresses Comfort and Ergonomics
Assists with student Social Health and Physical Fitness
Improves student Mental Health (reduces anxiety, stress and frustration)
Creates solutions for main student complaints:
Furniture needs replaced
Need more access to electrical plugs
Room feels too dark
Aligns with SUB’s mission of being the “living room” of campus
Warm, cosy, like a hug
Inviting, welcoming
Residential feel
relaxing
Modern, updated
Research | Student Union Building Scoring
Research
Using the live data that was provided by the graduate’s thesis, we were able to focus on the overall scoring of the space that achieved a 122 out of 226.
Points of focus:
Comfort and Ergonomics scoring low
Sleep and Rest scoring low
Research | Living Room Space Plan
Space Plan
Maximizing the efficiency of the space, the furniture sets will be replacing the multiple crowded circular tables and chairs that used to exist within the “living room” space (within the red box).
Ergonomics
Based on the ergonomic standard for sofa furniture, the existing pieces were measured and compared with the measurements provided by FutonLife’s The Geometry of Comfort. We also measured the existing furniture on the basement floor as reference.
Upholstery | Division12 Manufacturing Process
Furniture Manufacturing Research
A local manufacturer, Division12, provided us with in-depth information of their manufacturing process with a variety of materials. One of their methods include using bent steel tubing for support which influenced our design for legging.
Learn more about Division12 Here: https://division12.com/about
Upholstery | Fabric sample selection
Materials | Thread count selection
Materials | Powder-coated steel tubing | Bent plywood with Cherry veneer
Materials
When selecting our upholstery fabric, it was imperative to be aware that the higher the thread count, the more tightly woven the fabric is, and the better it will wear. Thread count refers to the number of threads per square inch of fabric.
From the selected samples provided by DesignTex, It was to be noted that pieces subjected to daily heavy wear need to be covered in tough, durable, tightly woven fabrics.
More about DesignTex Here: https://www.designtex.com/
Conceptual | Understanding Form and Function
Conceptual | Modularity
MoodBoard | Fitting the theme with SUB
Conceptual | Additional
Conceptual | Main Concept Idea
Conceptualizing
The lounge space is primarily used for social gatherings, studying, resting, and eating. In order to accommodate the multiple activities performed in the living room space, the designs prioritized modularity and comfort.
The colours also were to reflect the existing colour palette that fits the university campus theme, while still giving off the sense of nature.
COUCH CONCEPT
Sofa | Front view with table
Sofa | Front view combined seating
Sofa | Angled view combined seating
Sofa | Close view with table
Sofa | Top view separated seating
Separable Sofa
The Sofa can be combined to accommodate multiple people and provide a space for rest, while also separating into individual seats for those needing a smaller space. The middle seat also has a small section that allows the table to be closer than normal for those requiring a table for work. This is in response to users in the past who complained of back pains and difficulty of reach due to the previous set-ups height. The design also works with the existing tables in the Student Union Building, allowing other tables to be swappable.
SINGLE SEATS
Single Seaters | Top view with table
Single Seaters | Angled view with table
Single Seating
The separable seating mimics the same set for the large sofa set, while also having their own sections within the seat to have the table closer. The seating can also include separate pillows for cushioning, allowing users to rest in them within the 45 degree corner. To prevent previous issues with lower furniture damage from the environment, the design opted for bent steel tubing and bent plywood. This allows a better clearance underneath that will prevent kicking, and allow easier maintenance for custodians. The bent plywood would be covered in a white cherry wood veneer to match the existing furniture in the building. The bent steel tubing will also be fitted with rubber stoppers underneath to prevent floor scratching.
OTTOMAN & TABLE
Ottoman | Front view
Table | Angled View
Extra Seating and table design
The Ottoman and table design matches the same diameter, allowing them both to be interchangeable within the slots of the sofa and single seating.
Full Set
Full Set | 1
Full Set | 2
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