yuji tanabe architects' TWINS-MDF chairs fit together like a puzzle

all images via Yuji Tanabe Architects 

a mass/void chair set, with a high yield rate 

To produce the ‘TWINS-MDF’ set, the team at Yuji Tanabe Architects extracted the backboard of ‘Surface’ from the inside of ‘Frame’ using EMARF’s Shop Bot (CNC router). The process required first a repeated study of the manufacturable range, drill width, and position interference of the joints. ‘It’s like creating a puzzle while searching for the greatest common divisors of each,’ explains the practice.

Finally, by studying each chair’s Medium Density Fiberboard trimmings, Yuji Tanabe Architects has achieved a high yield rate, exceeding 70%, with remarkably few offcuts in the standard Japanese 4×8 board size (1219x2438mm). The yield rate is the ratio of sawn timber obtained to raw wood. The higher the number, the lesser the waste.

You can view Yuji Tanabe’s original ‘TWINS’ project here

‘TWINS-MDF’ chairs produced at two different scales

‘Surface’ and ‘Frame’ represent a relationship of mass and void 

using Medium Density Fireboard (MDF) trimmings

close-up shot of the joints 

Yuji Tanabe Architects used a CNC router to shape the mass/void set 

1/5

 

 

 

 

 

project info:

name: TWINS-MDF / Chair
design: Yuji Tanabe Architects | @yuji_tanabe_architects

support: EMARF, VUILD, Azuma Plywood, Enokido Lumber 

— sizes — 

frame chair: 420×576×95 mm

surface chair: 335.3×491.3×869. 3mm

rabbit chair: 144×165×504 mm

cat chair: 59.3×116.3×419.3 mm

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom