Purpleheart Chair
Purpleheart, Poplar, Copper Pellets
May, 2023
This occasional chair utilizes equilateral triangles with smaller surface areas to encourage users to adopt a “perch position,” where their knees sit lower than their hips, allowing both feet to remain flat on the floor. Crafted from vibrant Purpleheart and richly hued purple Poplar, the chair boasts a colorful, dynamic aesthetic that sets it apart. The design features bold colored, primary shapes, reflecting a strong connection to Memphis style—evocative of the iconic design trends of the 1980s.
Process
Due to the high density of Purpleheart (approximately 55 lbs/ft³) in comparison to Poplar (approximately 38 lbs/ft³), the large curvilinear pieces connecting the chair’s seat and back cause the chair to lean backward. To solve this imbalance, a hollow cavity was drilled out of the front leg of the chair and filled with copper pellets to weigh it down.
