Furniture Gang

Plexi Shelves - Prototype 1

2011-12-05T20:16:00.001-08:00

Salmon Light - Prototype 3

2011-10-17T19:01:00.000-07:00

Wood finishes - Maple, Cherry, Walnut

Laser cutting by - http://www.bbiitt.com/ in Austin, TX

Cost - $350

Satellite Chair

2011-03-17T13:26:00.000-07:00

It seems that it is time for furniture that is wired, illuminated, heated, etc. to match up with all the electronics and computers that surround us these days. The chair is a version of integrated and exposed utilities in a simple reference form. This is in the long list of future pods like the Eero Aarnio Ball Chair and The Sonic Chair.
Inspiration Image - We were checking out a nasa radio telescope/dish in australia a couple of years ago and i was thinking it would make a nice chair scaled down.

Initial sketches

Outdoor Sleeper

2010-11-27T17:02:00.000-08:00

Tiny House Version 1

2010-09-15T22:46:00.000-07:00

Level 1 Plan L1-384 Deck-192 L2-144 Total-528

Design rationale - It is organized around a small plan with only the essential elements following the small house concept. The deck faces south to allow for passive solar heating of the house. A storage spine is the main organizing principle with a hall and spaces feeding off. I have separated out toilet and shower for an improved bathing experience.

Level 2 plan L2-144

The loft level has a simple bedroom with a window seat and built-in closets. The south facing wall is a wrapping window that could allow for roof access.

I stumbled across Jay Shafer's website (http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/) a couple of years ago and have been intrigued about the idea ever since. There has always been a market for RVs, trailers and small prefab pods but I think this is starting to address a new potential for high quality and authentic materials in a micro house that can be mobile.

Pallet Pavilion

2010-09-13T22:04:00.001-07:00

Concept rendering of pallet pavilion. I envisioned a small (6x9) covered outdoor space to break up a standard suburban backyard. This model could be easily transformed into a four season space with the addition of windows and doors.

I started out with 27 salvaged pallets off of CL. This is a continuation of my pallet reuse ideas. I believe that every yard should have a little pavilion or gazebo for relaxing. The total project cost was around $65 in screws and outcut metal roofing. It has a certain swiss family robinson look.

The wood slats are scraps from Creative Woodworking NW

Prototype 2 - Salmon Light

2010-05-23T21:01:00.000-07:00

I have uploaded these more demonstrative photos of the light minus all the glue, sawdust and background stuff. The photos are courtesy of rhianna at accio photography. The photo above is a photoshopped over exposure of the light. It is more along the lines of the lighting concept that we had in mind. See the photos for a more detailed view of the hanging option and the lighting effect from the desk option.

SF Maker Faire

2010-05-19T16:20:00.000-07:00

The salmon light is now available for purchase on Ponoko. It comes in a range of materials from colored acrylic to veneer plywood. We have also been making it out of wood veneered plexi with the help of Dave at Architectural Prototypes. Dave (Architectural Prototypes link) has helped to get the first mdf and the first wood veneer on plexi options produced and has been very helpful in recommending materials and suppliers for different components.

We have two options ($105, $350) for purchasing the light depending on whether or not people are interested in assembling the light themselves. The cheaper version is flatpacked much like ikea products to save on costs. the other option is to have it shipped fully assembled and ready to plug in. Ponoko has recently selected us to be part of their maker faire display in San Fran this weekend, so if you're in the area check it out. The maker faire version is out of the ivory acrylic.

We used the extra space around the light on the plexi sheets to make some tiny salmon smolts. I then assembled the smolts into an illuminated mobile.

May 22-23 in San Francisco

http://www.makerfaire.com/

Ponoko Materials

http://www.ponoko.com/make-and-sell/materials

Salmon Light - Prototype 1

2010-02-24T11:35:00.000-08:00

Laser cut prototype 1 - The material is a mdf board. It shows the form, the spacing between layers and the light spill between each layer. See the plexi/veneer sample for light transmittance.

Laser cut prototype 1 - desk light

Laser cut prototype 1 - hanging pendant light
Translucent plexi with wood grain highlighted
Plexi and veneer test piece
Version 2
Version 3
Version 3 light test rendering
Version 4 - playing with the gill definition
Version 5
Version 6 - form simplified and streamlined

framework website process

2009-12-24T13:02:00.000-08:00

greg drew a sketch of the possible home page but we were not quite sold on the idea. the first image is the first rendition of the matrix concept. greg liked that all the projects could be viewed at one time to give viewers an idea of the range. the next series of images are the stills of an animated process that reduces the number of options based on how you click through the options.

option 2 is the black background. it is nice how the images almost glow off the background. i have never been a fan of the darth vader black websites. the short clip below is a alternate option for the project pages layout. the dotted boxes at the bottom would be the images of the project.

6hr pallet bed

2009-12-16T21:23:00.000-08:00

much like my love of shipping containers, pallets are in the category of cheap and usable industrial products. i am of the lo-tek persuasion (the design firm and the william gibson fictional tribe) where using pre-made industrial artifacts can make more sense than crafting from scratch. see below for some pointers on achieving success in pallet projects.

i worked with the existing framing of the pallets to cut along lines that made complete structural elements. then it just became a process of linking and combining those modules into the desired form, in this case a bed with storage bays underneath.

photos courtesy of accio photography

the 6 hr. pallet bed - a little more sanding and it could look really nice. the adjustable feet are key for leveling out the height variations in the pallets. it is part of my ''concept to build'' philosophy of furniture design and crafting, less about a finished piece and more about a working model to explore the forms of these wooden lego blocks.

cost

$7.00 (6) adjustable feet

$0 7 pallets (reclaimed and recycled)

$4.00 sanding disks

$6.70 screws

total cost $17.70

speeditecture: 10 min cabin

2009-12-16T20:03:00.000-08:00

chris's eco hovel with some thermal massing strategies
ben's cabin designed around a tree courtyard
greg's bayou cabin

the crucial element of this team design session is a combination of all the major elements into one design. we spent another 10 min deciding on central organizing principles that could be combined.

the 1o min. cabin is an illustration of our latest team building exercise at framework design collective (the all inclusive remix of furniture gang). we wanted to create a regular social design session that would help foster collaboration.

orpheum vintage

2009-12-09T22:47:00.000-08:00

greg put together a nice package for a friend of ours as detailed above. it became a full exploration into the graphic identity of her vintage clothing sales. the wall graphic and business card logo (the eyeball tree) are derived from art deco borders and logo designs. consequently, we are thinking of starting another branch that explores hand painted signs, called the cowboy sign co.

fish light - phase 1

2009-12-09T15:56:00.000-08:00

1/2 to 3/4 process sculpture that will eventually be cast as a porcelain slipcast for fishy luminescence. we are planning on working with mudshark studios (http://www.mudsharkstudios.org/). actually, doing a one off porcelain cast is cheaper than i thought. i recommend that everyone rush out and cast porcelain objects. thanks to the recommendation from lisa at pigeon toe ceramics (http://www.pigeontoeceramics.com/) to get me in touch with mudshark studios. lisa does some magical cast mason jar lights.

concept rendering

an alternate design with laser cut slices like those CNC routed dinosaur sculptures. we are working on getting the kinks worked out to get in on ponoko (http://www.ponoko.com/) for sale and flatpacked.

Heavy Bench

2009-08-28T23:25:00.000-07:00

Why: Because I think steel and wood should be buddies.

Who: Shane o

Where: Portland, OR

Classic Car Rehash

2009-08-28T23:03:00.000-07:00

My brother and I have a '67 Pontiac Firebird that we occasionally work on. The backup plan (if we never get it to run) is similar to the concept rendering above. Yank out the engine and seats, put a bbq/cooking area in the engine compartment for a classic car backyard pavilion. In place of the seats, a new bed platform done in the same style as the original seats is put in the car interior with a working stereo and lights. Chop a sun/moon roof in the top and you have a micro guest house. The key is to make to car look flash, new tires and a good paint job and all working electronics including a heater but it becomes a feature of the yard, garage, etc. This is a continuation of greg's post about rethinking the car.

Why: Because I love the shape of classic cars and think they should be used for other purposes beyond transportation

Who: Ben Allee

Adult High Chair

2009-08-26T21:01:00.000-07:00

Why: "My design is essentially a chair with a tray that pulls from a side compartment, with a modern look and feel. The idea behind it is a take-off on high chairs made for kids - why not have an adult, nice-looking chair that can be used in lieu of a table, be put in any room, and can work as a somewhat portable desk for laptop use, dinner for one, etc. Kind of like school chairs with the tray on top, but again, more modern and lighter, with the option to put the tray down."

Who: Tina G, background in fine art and graphic design

Where: Topanga, CA

Great idea and thanks for the submission, Tina. Maybe the table portion could just be an add-on for any chair which would expand the number of people that could use your design. Feel free to send in any other designs you have been sitting on to share.

Astronaut Campfire

2009-08-26T20:57:00.000-07:00

We need some advanced planning because 2020 is sooner than we all think. With Virgin Galactic and space hotels and what not left to their own devices we'll end up with spaces designed by engineers. that means the difference between living on an oil rig or some sweet future systems dream scape. we need to start to define the needs and spaces on spacial settlement.

The space campfire might be an obtuse future projection of a need, but is indicative of a basic requirement for socializing. Besides, where are the future space boyscouts going to tell stories similar to: 'and the call was coming from inside the lunar module!'

Fire in space? I'm not too clear on the details, I'm not a scientist. What I believe is important is to make sure the basics of human habitation are covered. Can't you already taste those space dogs? I'm not sure what the recommendation of the augustine panel was but what else would you like on the moon?

Why: I have been listening to a lot of the 'space show podcast' and reading Philip K Dick, and I love any excuse to do some watercolor sketches. A special shout out to Dr. Space - Dr. David Livingston. Keep the dream alive.

Who: Ben Allee

Leaf Lamp

2009-08-26T20:11:00.000-07:00

Why: A combination bedside lamp and table support for books, clocks etc.

Who: Ben Allee, Furniture Gang

Chaise en bois

2009-08-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

who: Khaled Morgan, 25 years old, doing a masters in sustainable architecture in Milan

why: "I have an enormous interest in all the design's domains including furniture, industrial design and arts. I think they are all related to creativity."

where: Piacenza, Italy

We at Furniture Gang heartily agree with you, Khaled and appreciate your submission. Keep it coming.

Clothesline Pavilion

2009-08-24T15:30:00.000-07:00

I offer the designer series clothes line, half arbor and half clothesline. Why not make a space out of the zone for drying clothes? In Australia there is the ubiquitous pole clothesline that offers nothing and takes up space and plagues the suburban backyard. Why can't we intergrate this use in order to make a little space or define a boundary in the yard?

who: Ben Allee, Furniture Gang

why: Furnathon for me is about capturing those moments of design inspiration.

Furnathon 09 - Alternate modes of transport

2009-08-24T15:17:00.000-07:00

Furnathon 09 is off. Let the fun begin.

The furniture gang R&D department has been hard at work offering its own solutions to the sustainable transportation issue. Being in australia offers a rare insight into a potentially vast and inexhaustible resource of kangaroo assisted transport.

Note: Kangaroo in photo not to scale

furnathon 08 highlights

2009-08-07T19:44:00.001-07:00

It's furnathon season again. I thought that we would post some of the highlights from last year. The core idea of furnathon is to see what ideas you generate during the day in reference to design and then post them. But we are happy to have any ideas that people have developed on their own and would like to share. Consequently, the work varies from polished 3d models to simple sketches. Let's get those design engines revved for this year.

Justin H's (SFO) new furniture gang logo
Michael Mckenzie's smart spaces storage lounge
Inigo Ortiz Monasterio (Mexico) zero waste plywood designs
Inigo Ortiz Monasterio (Mexico) zero waste plywood designs
Shane O's (PDX) modular storage chair
Shane O's (PDX) modular storage chair
Ben A's (Australia) all in one furniture cabinet
Ben A's (Australia) tree couch
Shane's (PDX) ball and joint coffee table sketch
Designer X's refinished furniture concepts

Designer X's biodegradable plastics chair concept

Furnathon 09: Furniture & Design Marathon

2009-08-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

FURNATHON 09
August 24 - 30th

What:

An exchange of ideas for the exercise of creative expression, centering on furniture, product, and small space design.

Specifics:

7 days of design

Up to one idea a day submitted, per designer

Submissions can be sketches, models, renderings, or video.

Furniture Gang will promote designs on website and blog.

We may be so impressed that we would love to have you on the team.

Submissions:

We accept JPG, GIF, and PNG images, 8MB maximum size.

For videos; AVI, MPEG, Quicktime, Real, 100 MB max.

A blurb of what your design means to you.

Who you are, what you do, why you do it.

Your contact info.

Send to furnituregang@gmail.com

Legal stuff:

This is about creative expression and sharing design ideas. Designers retain any rights of ownership.

No entry fees.

View the website

Case Study 1 - Hawthorne Blvd Law Office, Portland, OR

2009-07-06T19:39:00.001-07:00

our redesign

client requests:

-separate conference space

-private office spaces

-open office area

-reception and waiting area along with a divider to the kitchen

graphic wall options

existing plan as apartment

existing condition of space

Animal Lights - Salmon

2009-06-07T14:34:00.000-07:00

3D salmon lights made of either porcelain or translucent plastic/resin.

Lighting Techniques

2009-06-05T11:27:00.000-07:00

thin wood veneered extruded triangle that would light up at the top section
A light concept of building model chandeliers. This one is a nod to corbu.
Animal light series. We are thinking of birds, schools of fish and of course the mighty buffalo.

We are turning over lots of new leaves at the furniture gang shop. We have decided to join the land of commerce instead of just building furniture for ourselves. We have started working with a Portland furniture shop on some new designs. See the images for our newest lighting designs.

Rendertown, USA

2009-05-17T15:35:00.000-07:00

Like the tiny house, I just had to get on the rounded-cube bandwagon. The half Swiss built-in bed, half future cube is a micro pod that satisfies all the elements of a new kind of furniture design.

The Rationale

Stuff is the new building block. We can satisfy our psychological desires by surrounding ourselves with the things we own, love and love to look at. The bed becomes a dresser that you sleep in. They combine like a bad genetics experiment. Iconic furniture pieces (table, chair, bed) become voluminous voids to stow your every possession. Why? Because the Fight Club mantra of “the things you own end up owning you” was wrong. What defines our existence is our ability to own and modify space. Also, I don’t want to get punched in the face and you want a place to put your 87 copies of InStyle Magazine.

As these shapes combine they grow into objects that redefine the bland storage boxes that surround us. Let the furniture germinate and produce an astounding array of new mixes and combinations.

Poditecture

2009-03-05T04:36:00.000-08:00

We like pods. Can't you tell? Here's another addition to the family.

See the Pixel Cowboy for more sketches.

The House Factory

2008-12-27T22:26:00.000-08:00

Mod Eco is the current pre-fab construction company in the middle of nowheres-ville Australia. If you've managed to get through the entire step by step slideshow of what we do there, then kudos. This shows the construction of our welded couch, nylon lamp, and other skullduggery that goes into making stuff just for the benefit of progressive design. The welded couch was made from the offcuts of the modular prefab construction process.

mod_wall

2008-09-08T10:06:00.000-07:00

Mod Wall is a system of integrated storage modules that can be arrange in numerous iterations to accommodate any sized living situation. Mod wall can be arranged along an existing wall creating a storage, media area, or in the middle of a room as a dividing wall, with functions that can be engaged from all sides. Potentially can include bed, kitchen utility and more.

Sleeker Model

2008-09-05T21:36:00.000-07:00

Same great styling as the previous model, but now with fins! Aren't you excited?? There is something vaguely deli-counteresque but it provides that much needed storage for trashy scifi novels and the beer can collection. You know you have them.

Storage Bed is a Hit

2008-09-05T16:34:00.000-07:00

This one is going in to production. The bossman's cousin wanted a bed. I had it designed and sent to the joinery shop the next day. We are on the fast track and using all the tools of the era; 3D modeling, digital 3D files to the manufacturer and CNC production.

Now why can't this be done with the building industry?

3D business cards, photoshoot

2008-08-27T03:49:00.000-07:00

For the folks that like to see things in action, these are the finished product for Furniture Gang. 'How to' instructions on the back, endless hours of paper-folding fun to follow. That is, if you haven't forgotten how to be a kid.

3d business cards

2008-07-13T18:08:00.000-07:00

The idea is finally becoming a reality. They are getting printed as we speak to impress the folks at Furnitex and other Australian manufacturers. It's time to show the design community how we roll.

Beetle Back Enclosure

2008-07-06T01:28:00.001-07:00

I had an image of a beetle form and decided it would make a cozy little pod. Maybe it could have some sweet hydraulic pistons to open the shell. Otherwise, the cool form without the creepy bits.

We'll continue to post ideas here and to use this site for Furniture Gang events.

furnituregang (at) gmail.com

Feel free to send us your ideas for posting in the blog. I'll try to give feedback and continue to make this site a place for the exchange of ideas.

Check back for:
-design your ideal workstation
-design your ideal office
-modern treehouse competition

Teeny Tiny House

2008-07-04T17:57:00.000-07:00

I just had to make a stab at a tiny house. If you are not familiar check out: http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/.

Apparently people can't get enough of these mini houses/large doll house houses. It is also a sensible question to wonder how small a living space can be and still be enjoyable to live. This version is roughly 152 sq ft. I tried another version with 66 sq ft.

Fatwall 2

2008-06-26T15:37:00.001-07:00

This is an alternate of a theme, see pre-furnathon 08 post of Australia inspiration. It is the idea of compressing all furniture into one space, sort of a Fifth Element space travel / sleeping in your chest of drawers concept.

Closet Puzzle

2008-06-26T14:30:00.000-07:00

Closet puzzle: A sheet triplay pine 4'x8 '(3 / 4 ") again under the principle of zero waste.

By Inigo Ortiz Monasterio
iomonasterio@yahoo.com.mx

Picnic Puzzle

2008-06-26T14:18:00.001-07:00

Picnic puzzle: In a piece of wood 3 / 4 "(4'x8 ') gives a picnic table under the principle of zero waste. The production is economic and simple.

By: Inigo Ortiz Monasterio iomonasterio@yahoo.com.mx

Dining Puzzle

2008-06-26T14:05:00.000-07:00

Dining puzzle: From a sheet of triplay 3 / 4 "(4'x8 ') yields a full dining room (1 table + 4 chairs ) under the principle of zero waste.

The production is economic and simple.

By: Inigo Ortiz Monasterio iomonasterio@yahoo.com.mx

SOF Turtle Shell

2008-06-26T12:46:00.000-07:00

SOF (Skin-on-Frame) Turtle Shell:

Multi-use, light weight; never leave home without your shell!
(click on image for higher resolution)

-The Big "O",
PDX

The Coffee Table

2008-06-26T09:01:00.000-07:00

The Coffee Table:
Not a whole lot to say about it. I just like the "tapered structure" concept as well as the potential for a nice exposed joint there all the horizontal wood meets the vertical piece. Enjoy,

The Big "O",
PDX

Modular Chair

2008-06-26T08:49:00.000-07:00

The Concept:
The Design:
Basically you could mass produce this module many times over. People can use them as a chair (2), love seat (4), or couch (6), or just an ottoman (1). If not against a wall the back can be used as shelves and under the seat you can store "stuff" as well.

Sorry for the late start; my sketchbook didn't have access to a scanner.

Alias: The Big "O"
City: PDX

Dinnerware & Furniture, Ideas about BioPlastics.

2008-06-25T21:40:00.000-07:00

I had another thought today about how to deal with the overcrowding in landfills (as it relates to furniture). The idea came to me as I was eating dinner. I bought food from a place nearby and I noticed that they had that nifty to go box that wasn’t just recyclable, it was biodegrable as well. Basically if my dinnerware ended up in the landfill it would biodegrade within a few months. It's strong stuff, microwave safe, just as good as the normal paper junk. I also noticed that it was pretty strong and I could imagine if you had enough of the material it would be just as strong as plastic.

I found this online which explains about the material:

Bioplastics are a new generation of biodegradable & compostable plastics, derived from renewable raw materials such as starch (e.g. corn, potato, tapioca etc), cellulose, soy protein, lactic acid etc., that are not hazardous in production and decompose back to carbon dioxide, water, biomass etc. in the environment when discarded. Cornstarch is currently the main raw material being used in the manufacture of bioplastic resins. Mater-Bi (main component corn-starch), and PolyActide (PLA) (made from corn-starch as well) are currently the 2 main resins (raw materials), being used today in the production of compostable & biodegradable plastics and are certified for compostability under standards set by international organizations. However, other resins are coming into the market made from potato starch, soybean protein, cellulose etc. Most of these are currently not certified for compostability, though some are for biodegradability. The field of bioplastics is constantly evolving with new materials and technologies being worked on and being brought to market.

So why not use this stuff for furniture? Especially the types of furniture that tends to be thrown away. Maybe things like childrens furniture? Shelving? Maybe its best suited for smaller objects, I don’t know.

here's what the dinnerware looks like
and here's my well-designed couch after being left outside for a few months. Super comfy.

Letterscape

2008-06-25T15:44:00.000-07:00

I was listening to Nina Simone the other day and thinking about words and letters. I thought there were some interesting shapes and combinations. I have just limited myself to English but Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, etc. might make some great combinations.

Note: at this point we here at Furniture Gang are unsure of who is posting. If you don't give some indication, then the opportunity to post on here is defunct. Name or alias, and city might be helpful for everyone. Thanks

Don't build another piece of furniture

2008-06-24T21:58:00.000-07:00

The Original
San Francisco (ork)
Public Transport (Copenhagen, London, New York tube)

I have had this thought for some time now and Ive done a bit of research on old furniture. It turns out that a good chunk of our landfills are filled with furniture and appliances.

It's clearly a problem. It's really interesting that people discard well built furniture for new pieces made of particle board, that are of a lesser quality. There are many reasons for this, like the older stuff looks like hell, or the upholstery is worn, or you get bored with it, etc. So I thought about how one could reuse older furniture. More particularly, how to keep it out of the landfill.

For one, I think we could stop accepting furniture at the dump. Garbage collectors should refuse to take it. Right now, I think its part of their collection duty if you leave it near the trash bin. Or we could start a supplementary collection, kind of like the recycling, or the once a month yard waste collection. There are probably more ideas floating around the internet machine. The opportunities for reuse are endless.

I've explored one solution. The main idea is that it's possible to tie together different structural differences with an common element. In this case, the upholstery. Whole living rm/ dining rm/ bedroom sets could be developed using this method.

This is one of those ideas that seems ridiculous or obvious, and maybe it is.

Structural Storage Wall

2008-06-24T05:27:00.000-07:00

Our walls have been lazy far too long. This approach serves the double duty of providing storage and support/division. The lattice structure could be doubled to allow for a gap for vision and sound blockage or a panel on the back face. A whole range could be developed with alternate shapes to cater towards an individuals geometric preference. Shigeru Ban had a similar idea with full height cabinets making up the structural support.

Concept Development, Branding, Initial Thoughts

2008-06-23T21:16:00.000-07:00

Day one:

What is furniture? Who is furniture? When is furniture? Where is furniture? Why is Furniture? I've tried to address some of these important issues in my submission.

What is furniture? It is everything around us. It is your bicycle, it is your bus ride to work, it is car, it is your plane ride.

Who is furniture? It is you and me.

When is furniture? It is NOW!

Where is furniture? Mostly at IKEA as far as I can tell.

Why is furniture? Because... Humans can't stand up for their entire lives.

Your friend-

double J

Let's Get Small!

2008-06-23T09:29:00.001-07:00

Los Sillones

2008-06-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

The ARMCHAIR: A simple solution with multiple alternatives

By: Iñigo Ortiz Monasterio - iomonasterio@yahoo.com.mx

Tree Hugger

2008-06-23T05:21:00.000-07:00

I'm going with the delightfully playful for the start of this designathon. I have been thinking about treehouses lately and this is a precursor to the furniture gang modern tree house competition to follow. The bands would be adjustable clamps that latch onto the tree without any permanent fasteners. with this system there could be any number of crazy combinations. I went with the simple tree couch form, access to the tree couch is via a rope ladder.

Furnathon 2008: Furniture & design Marathon

2008-06-09T03:22:00.000-07:00

Why:
Exchange of ideas and for the fun of exercising creative expression.

Specifics:
7 days of design on June 23-29. One idea a day submitted via the blog. Submissions can be sketches, models, renderings, video, whatever. Don't feel like running the full race? It doesn't matter, send us any ideas and take part in the event anyway you want.

Submit:

Send us your stuff at furnituregang@gmail.com. We will post it here on the blog.

Prizes:
Custom Puma track suit with furnathon 08 logo to people's choice winner. Runners up get furnituregang t's. Maybe.

Legal Stuff:
This is about creative expression and sharing ideas about design, you retain any rights of ownership. We're not posting this stuff to make money off you.

Want to join furniture gang?:
We believe in strength in numbers, shared knowledge and skills. We would be glad to talk to you about your ideas and provide you with a venue for feedback and exposure. We are currently transitioning from garage manufacturing to online sales and distribution.

Joining Requirements:
Come up with your own version of the furniture gang logo. Do a self styled gang tat (just kididng) and send info to furnituregang@gmail.com

Furnathon 07 Highlights

2008-06-09T01:17:00.000-07:00

From the responsible to the realistic to the outlandish and playful. This is the mix from last year's furnathon. We look forward to this kind of inventiveness and creativity in the weeks ahead.

Greg's Post - Exploration of what we might do with all the useless car parts in the not-so-distant future. How can the wasteful excesses of our past be put to good use in the future?

Shane's post - Has any one else become tired of having to walk all the way to the kitchen to pour yourself a draft beer. I know I have. Thats where the beer chair comes into play. All you have to do is reach over to the arm rest to get a refill. It has two taps and you can store a couple mini kegs as well as a CO2 tank right there in the chair. And of course it does recline, complete with a leg rest.

Ben's post - Forget a plaid couch and standard table sizes, this is the fantastical to be enjoyed as a part of everyday life. The animals would be rendered in any number of materials suited to the function-foam, wood, metal, plastic. The idea is meant to challenge our understanding of standard furniture design and to incorporate a symbolic note of the natural. Why can't we climb up to sit on 20' giraffe couch?

Chris's post - I needed a computer chair and I needed somewhere to put my records. My space and budget are limited so I devised this. It will be made from cardboard salvaged from Costco. These could potentially be stackable units made from other materials, I suppose.

Backyard bunker, for those seeking the kind of solitude only 10' of dirt can provide. Bonuses include a space for reading and natural light.
The Mary Rasure chair series

Logo Number 3, WEST SIDE!

2008-06-07T02:19:00.000-07:00

I went with the West Side Story knife fight for this series. If you don't know what that is, then you're not a Jet all the way. The images are the progression of the graphic. Comments on which is best?

Australian Inspiration

2008-06-01T00:02:00.000-07:00

Here's a link to some of the design work I have done in Australia, aka Oz. Riding the train across country gave me plenty of time to model some of the drawings that plague my sketchbook.

The Pixel Cowboy

Fence Project

2007-07-14T16:23:00.000-07:00

I hope these images help to clarify what I was talking about. I figured I'd post on the blog to avoid getting rejected by your email for image size.

join the hive

2007-06-22T19:16:00.000-07:00

Peter Cook had a similar idea for a house, but I was thinking along the lines of just one room that is hollowed out to provide spaces for its use. Of course, there would be an absence of giant man-eating ants.

Record Chair/Stool

2007-06-22T18:24:00.000-07:00

I needed a computer chair and I needed somewhere to put my records. My own living space and budget are limited so I devised this. It will be made from cardboard salvaged from Costco. These could potentially be stackable units made from other materials, I suppose.

Pole-a-tecture

2007-06-22T17:45:00.000-07:00

Using the pole as a spring point, use components fill out the piece like a multifunctional tree. I originally imagined this as a forest of poles at varying levels. A wide array of components would be developed to attach to the poles to provide a system to fit any use.

Beer Chair

2007-06-21T19:19:00.000-07:00

Has any one else become tired of having to walk all the way to the kitchen to pour yourself a draft beer? I know I have. Thats where the beer chair comes into play. All you have to do is reach over to the arm rest to get a refill. It has two taps and you can store a couple mini kegs as well as a CO2 tank right there in the chair. And of course it does recline, complete with a leg rest. If this doesn't get you starting you're own home-brew habit, I don't know what will.

the lawn sailor

2007-06-21T12:40:00.000-07:00

The lawn sailor is a celebration of the outdoors. Inspired by my time as a buckaneer in northern California. The forms are meant to be simple to suggest relaxation and being sheltered.

Tubular

2007-06-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

This is Erin Lauer's submission for Furnathon. Paper tubes are used in this piece to store yarn for knitting. The use of paper tubes seems to be a common theme for furnathon 07

Chairs of Destiny

2007-06-21T12:13:00.000-07:00

This is Mary Rasure's chair collection. Most of these deal with a pun about the use of the chair. All the drawings were rendered on six pack cardboard. Obviously the inspiration.

Post-Auto Furniture

2007-06-20T23:48:00.000-07:00

Consider this an exploration of what we might do with all the useless car parts in the not-so-distant future(?). How can the wasteful excesses of our past be put to good use in the future?

Bike Chute

2007-06-19T19:07:00.001-07:00

Where is the spot to ride my bike into the river? That was the question I asked myself today. The solution was the bike chute. As you can see, it does require some guerrilla techniques to saw off the railing but still is very reasonable.

The backyard bunker is for those seeking the kind of solitude only 10' of dirt can provide. Bonuses include a space for reading and natural light.

#2

2007-06-18T22:41:00.000-07:00

Well, can't beat the animal furniture, but here's a quick crack at some seating, storage things. Same module is repeated, can stack on top of each other to provide a nice little shelf, lined up in a row to lay down on. THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!!!!!!!!!!

Lets get the ball rolling...

2007-06-18T21:50:00.000-07:00

So this is a quick and simple one. I actually thought if it yesterday at the rebuilding center. I had always thought it would be cool to use a used door for a piece of furniture. I was thinking of making a bookshelf but a normal sized door is too big. Then I saw the bifolds for $3 each. For $9 plus a few 2x4s (the rebuilding center has some really nice reclaimed CVG fir) you have yourself a pretty easy, cheap, but good sized bookshelf.

furnathon '07 begins

2007-06-18T20:45:00.001-07:00

Animal Collection
Forget a plaid couch and standard table sizes, this is the fantastical to be enjoyed as a part of everyday life. The animals would be rendered in any number of materials suited to the function-foam, wood, metal, plastic. The idea is meant to challenge our understanding of standard furniture design and to incorporate a symbolic note of the natural. Why can't we climb up to sit on 20' giraffe couch?

Furnathon 2007

2007-06-10T20:05:00.000-07:00

Furniture Gang is a design/build furniture consortium in Portland, Oregon. Our outreach department has initiated an invitation to everyone to take part in out 5 day Furnathon; June 18-22. here's the reasoning and specifics:

Header: After months of solitude, working away on our private projects for our own gratification... furniture gang would like to reach out.

Rules: Create a new piece of conceptual furniture each day for five days to be displayed any way you like. Each night the entrees will be posted for review on our blog for review by the community.

Reasons: We need more chances to do no holds barred design just for the fun of it.

It's a practice in free form design without the restrictions of reality.

It's a race to see what you can come up with on a daily basis.

It's a challenge to how we live and occupy space and to explore those flashes of inventiveness that usually get ignored or unexplored.

the image that started it all

2007-06-10T20:02:00.000-07:00

The prison tat logo that sold us on the name Furniture Gang. Logo design created by Robert Funk and yes, those are his real hands. In case you're wondering what this logo would look like on a half shirt, see image below. Our current t-shirt supplier is American Apparel. Both logos are available for t's and a third mystery logo is on its way. Shirt requests can be routed through us, just send an email. Our Myspace page is also where we have a selection of our work displayed. Stay tuned for interviews of the furniture gang members and the start of Furnathon '07.