Folding chairs are great in theory, but most traditional designs are often bulky and unwieldy in both folded and unfolded form — defeating the whole point of impromptu seating. Now Belgian design company Materialise.MGX has solved this folding chair dilemma with their beautifully designed One Shot Stool. With a little help from rapid prototyping production, they’ve created a chair that gracefully twists from a narrow staff into a functional stool in a matter of seconds. In the folded position, the One Shot Stool is barely larger than a walking stick, making storage and transport a breeze. Once unfolded, it provides a sturdy little seat that is as functional as it is engaging.
The brainchild of Patrick Jouin, formerly of Phillipe Stark’s studio in Paris, the stool is the product of a highly-specialized rapid prototyping process called Selective Laser Sintering, in which the stool and all its moving parts are cut from a single piece of material. Utilizing a special laser, the procedure churns out a 3D model which maintains its kinetic properties by integrating its hinges within its construction. The unique and compactable unit has been making waves since its debut at the Salon Del Mobile Milan in April 2006 and has been purchased for the MOMA NY Collection and the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum in New York.
12 Responses to “ONE SHOT STOOL by Materialise”
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SLS is a great tool for rapid prototyping, but you certainly don’t want to rely on it for production. Is this stool actually manufacturable in volume, I wonder? And is it strong enough for someone to sit on? No pictures to that effect.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the concept! Much nicer than the ubiquitous folding armchair you see throughout the summer. I just wonder whether it’s more art project than actual furniture.
beautiful design. though the edges look a little sharp to be hanging my legs over.
Love it! Do you know whether it is comfortable?
Please start putting prices with the articles, or state that prices/products arent available. I have searched the net and cannot find the price anywhere. Absolutely love the design.
Neat idea.. great design… BUT, is it just more ‘design for design’s sake’ ? If it’s as uncomfortable to sit on as it looks… what’ the point ?
Fascinating. What material do they propose to use, and how heavy is it?
i love this design but likechi kidev says, i would like to see prices. that is the only way to get anything off the groud. Looking at innovativ things is nice but the idea is to own these peices to improve and renevate your life style. Not to look and imagine if you had something like that cool stool i saw on the internet. its like the electric car, sure it would be great but where can we get one.
other than the smart car website lol
[...] Un’interessante novità nel settore delle sedute arriva dall’azienda belga Materialise.MGX, che ha prodotto lo sgabello One Shot Stool, progettato dal designer Patrick Jouin. Con l’ausilio della prototipazione rapida, è stata realizzata una seduta che in una manciata di secondi e con un’elegante torsione, si trasforma da piccolo cilindro in sgabello funzionale. Infatti quando è chiuso One Shot Stool è largo appena 11 cm e una volta aperto diventa una piccola seduta dalla forma accattivante. PUBBLICITÀ PUBBLICITÀ Lo sgabello è prodotto con un processo di prototipazione rapida chiamato Selective Laser Sintering (Sinterizzazione Laser Selettiva), in cui attraverso uno speciale laser e partendo da un unico pezzo di materiale, viene creato un modello 3D che mantiene le proprietà cinetiche integrando nella struttura stessa anche le giunture e tutte le parti utili al movimento. (via inhabitat) postato da pietro-cosca il mercoledì 13 dicembre 2006 in: [...]
I love the transformer aspect to the design. One handed operation is a great design feature also.
SLS is great for rapidly demonstrating ideas & concepts, but its structural integrity is only a fraction of an injection molded piece. If mgx evolved this into a sheet metal part it might have a chance … but that doesn’t fit their RP biz model.
hi there i am a student an jackhunt school peterborough and was wandering how do the centewralpeices of the chair all stay in place
they are beautiful, i sat on one when it was on show at droog design in amsterdam. very stable, very handy. and very expensive. also, due to the thing being built up in layers during the production process the finished product looks a bit like cuttlebone; very organic.
Hiyaa i am in dt with amy and sopphie looking at folding chairs and i look at this and i like this <3 !!