Swedish Wooden Boats, And Where They Are Going How would a boat builder build furniture?

Abstract

The project aims to investigate, analyze, and contextualize the rich historical and traditional craft of wooden boat design in Sweden. Through individual research, contextual investigation, material explorations, interactions with a broad community of expert and amateur boat enthusiasts, and the development of prototypes, the project sees its realization in three wood furniture prototypes. The process consisted of an investigation, analysis, and identification of theoretical influences and inspirations, culminating in finished results. It explores the traditional world of Scandinavian wooden boat craft, and aims to discover how the methods, techniques, and mentality of boat building can be used in applications for contemporary furniture design and construction. The project aims to demonstrate one way in which humans can continue to practice and promote traditional artistic practices and skill sets, while remaining relevant in a modern context. By applying such construction methods and techniques, the project provides an example of how the younger generation of furniture designers and makers can develop and nurture the wood furniture platform. The project embraces the idea that wood furniture can be designed and constructed more sustainably by moving away from the traditional single life cycle, and welcoming circularity, keeping a traditional wood craft alive. It provides insights and an understanding of the contexts that have influenced my design choices. It also presents a comprehensive explanation and justification of the practical application of these choices, following critical feedback, culminating in three pieces of wooden boat influenced furniture. Information on the history and background of Swedish and Scandinavian wooden boat design and construction, its current state, and the potential for this fading industry to positively influence furniture design are explored, responding to key questions, including: How can the characteristics of Swedish wooden boat building be applied to a contemporary furniture context? How can incorporating boat building techniques and aesthetics aid us in keeping a traditional Swedish craft alive, and what can we learn from this application? From a perspective of circular design, how can the knowledge gained from this project contribute to the Swedish furniture industry in terms of sustainability and materiality 3 The author’s approach, a summary of the documentation prepared, and a timeline for completion of the project, with details on the design, the design models used, and the outcomes of the project, with detailed descriptions and illustrations of the three prototypes - the Pettersson chair, the Archipelago Bench, and the Clinker Roll, are presented.