INSTRUCTOR: Craig Labenz, Artisan
COURSE: Furniture Construction
PROJECT: Hans Wegner Folding Chair
This class is FULL.
The project for this class is inspired by one of Danish master Hans J. Wegner’s most important and iconic works, the Model 512 folding chair. It was originally produced for Wegner by master cabinetmaker Johannes Hansen in Copenhagen during their golden period of collaboration that also produced the China chair, Wishbone chair and Round chair at the end of the 1940s.
In this class, students will use mills, drill presses, table saws, jeweler’s saws and files to cut, shape and build the chair frame. Students will also learn how to bend wood for several chair components. They’ll incorporate traditional joinery techniques and hardware to enable the folding chair functionality.
After applying finishes to the wood, students will weave the chair seat and back using a fine beading needle and thread to replicate the original rattan.
Our goal in class will be to complete one chair. Ambitious students will have the opportunity to make a second set of parts that can be used for either another chair (to be completed at home), or used as extra components so the best can be chosen for their chair.
This multidisciplinary class is intended for intermediate students and will be challenging because of the fine detail and fluid shapes of the chair frame, the precision construction required to enable the folding chair functionality, and the fine weaving of the chair seat and back. Besides experience with power tools, ideally, students will have some experience with a jeweler’s saw. Petit point or weaving experience would be helpful, but is not required. But the ability to thread a very small needle is important.
TIME: 48 hours. Students can expect to finish the chair frame construction and much of the weaving in class. Some final weaving might need to be completed at home. Ambitious students that attempt a second chair will need to finish it at home.
POWER TOOLS: Table saw, drill press, shaper/mill
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate–advanced
MATERIALS FEE: $150 to be collected at school