Furniture Design Research Articles

Analyze the physical interaction between the user and the furniture design to optimize comfort and functionality

The physical interaction between users and furniture is pivotal in determining comfort and functionality, particularly in environments where individuals spend extended periods, such as offices, homes, and public spaces. This study aims to analyze how different furniture designs impact user comfort, postural stability, and long-term usability. By employing a hybrid research framework combining observational studies, simulations, and advanced technological tools such as motion tracking, pressure mapping, and biomechanical sensors, the research provides a comprehensive evaluation of user-furniture interaction. The study involved 178 participants with diverse demographic backgrounds, allowing for a broad range of body types, ages, and activity levels to be examined. Key findings indicate that ergonomic features such as adjustable seat height, lumbar support, and reclining mechanisms significantly enhance comfort, particularly when customized to the user’s anthropometric profile. For example, adjustable seat height reduced pressure on the thighs, improving comfort by 8.5% over prolonged periods. Additionally, lumbar support was the most compelling feature in alleviating muscle strain, improving overall comfort by 9.0%. The analysis of long-term comfort revealed that postures supporting dynamic movements, such as using a standing desk, maintained higher comfort levels over time compared to static postures like leaning forward, which showed a marked increase in muscle fatigue. Postural stability analysis showed that sitting at a 90° angle provided the best balance of stability and long-term comfort, with a usability rating 8.4. In contrast, leaning forward exhibited the lowest postural stability and the highest discomfort, making it unsuitable for prolonged tasks.

Lost and found: a 100-year-old educational neurosurgical film by Thierry de Martel, pioneer of French neurosurgery.

Exchanges in medical practice are necessary for training. The use of movies for promoting medical practice was introduced in the late 19th century. The authors analyzed an unidentified movie titled Trepanation for Rolandic Zone Tumor (Trépanation pour tumeur de la zone rolandique) stored at the Établissement de Communication et de Production Audiovisuelle de la Défense of the French Ministry of Armed Forces. This silent black-and-white movie, lasting 15 minutes and depicting the removal of a meningioma, did not contain information or a legend. The surgical tools used were those developed by Thierry de Martel. The furniture and interior design shown in the film corresponded with the Vercingétorix Clinic that this surgeon had acquired in Paris. A publication from 1922 contained 14 pictures taken from the movie presented in this paper and referred to a movie directed in 1911 by Thierry de Martel. This is strong circumstantial evidence that the film was directed and the surgery was performed by Thierry de Martel at the Vercingétorix Clinic in Paris, France, in 1911 while using the technology of the Gaumont company. This is a contemporary testimony to what surgical practice was over a century ago, and it illustrates how movies were, and remain, a unique way to learn and teach medicine.

Effects of vr-based interactive interior design on the emotional and mental health of office worker

ABSTRACT From the perspective of the evolution of the concept of health, the purpose of mental health is to achieve better living conditions, higher adaptability and development level, and also the best combination of physical and mental well-being and social well-being. According to the literature, the region and privacy of office interior design, the comfort and convenience of office furniture, the charm of office environment and individuation all have an impact on the mental health of office workers. Interactive interior design based on virtual reality can improve the office environment, thus improving the work efficiency and productivity of employees. A comfortable office environment has a positive impact on physical factors for office workers, which is beneficial for improving their mental health. This paper aimed to study how to analyze and study the impact of interactive interior design based on virtual reality (VR) on the emotional and psychological health of office workers. In this paper, the impact of VR interior design was evaluated by fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method, and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to quantify the weight. In the experiment part of this paper, through the analysis of the questionnaire of the office workers in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, and the comparison of the experimental data, it can be known that before the experiment, the control group and the experimental group were both very healthy, and after the experiment, the psychological health of the two groups was very healthy, which was 0 and 4 people. It can be seen that the psychological health of the workers in the experimental group has changed significantly. This paper studied the influence of VR interaction design on worker’s emotion from the experimental point of view and proved its influence on employee’s emotion from the empirical point of view, which had certain reference significance for future research.

Prediction of the Future Trends of Housing Project Development with Modified Delphi Technique

This research was initiated to study the trend of the housing projects in the next ten years (2022-2031), with the applied Modified Delphi Technique. The research was conducted by interviewing five experts with more than ten years of knowledge and experience in design, construction, technology, location, and marketing. The gathered trends were applied to create questionnaires in order to conduct two rounds of surveys to assess the consensus level of ten experts with at least ten years of experience in the real estate industry, according to the consensus analysis method from the Modified Delphi Technique. Thirteen trends were found from the study. There are four design trends: more beautiful façade, soundproof wall, universal design furniture, and universal design house building. In addition, eco-friendly materials and modular construction systems were found to be construction trends while smart home device installation and active air flow technology were found to be technology trends. Regarding the trend of the project location, the projects tend to be located in areas expanding into the suburbs. Finally, four marketing trends were also reported: Virtual Reality utilization in sales presentation, advertising to reach more customers, inviting social media influencers to play a role in reviewing projects, providing credit consulting services and refunding of reservation money if a customer’s loan is not approved. The results of the study provide information to all parties involved in planning strategies and operating a business in developing housing estates in the future.

Towards digitalization of the circular economy in the furniture industry

Fashionable, cheap furniture of questionable quality is often used for short-term economic gain. If the furniture is not liked, it is quickly discarded. The need to reduce CO2 emissions, dwindling resources and social and political demands contradict this practice and require the implementation of closed-loops material cycles and the introduction of circular business models. A systematic literature review and a case study were conducted to provide a comprehensive overview of current circular economy strategies (e.g. reuse, refurbishment and recycling) implemented in the furniture industry in relation to various key activities of platform companies. As part of the case study, interviews were conducted with stakeholders and experts from the furniture and interior design industry. The European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform was also consulted. The literature review and the case study show that the furniture industry is in a state of transition. By incorporating designs that allow for improved remanufacturing, refurbishment and reuse, companies in the industry are increasingly starting to consider circular economy patterns. Increasing digitization and servitization are driving new circular business models. Another key finding is that digital platforms are suitable for connecting stakeholders such as manufacturers, service providers and consumers, taking into account the relevant business models. The study also identified motivations, barriers and requirements for the implementation of circular and digital business models in the furniture and interior design industry. There is still a large gap between what can be achieved with a circular economy and its actual implementation.

Application of 3D Printing Technology in Furniture Construction.

In recent years, 3D printing technology has become very important in many fields of science, manufacturing, design, medicine, aviation, sports, etc. Furniture design and manufacturing are also not left out of this trend. In this study, the results of bending moments and stiffness of joints of thin structural elements connected by 3D printing with polylactic acid (PLA) connectors are given. The connectors are newly developed, and information on their strength characteristics is lacking in the literature. Ten joints were investigated, made with 9 and 12 mm plywood and 6 mm MDF. The tested joints constructed by 3D-printed connecting elements show a high strength under arm compression bending load, between 44.16 and 24.02 N·m. The stiffness coefficients of joints with 3D-printed connecting elements are between 348 and 145 N·m/rad and are higher than those of conventional detachable mitre joints but lower than those of glued ones. The type of filling of the hollow section of the connecting elements and the wall thickness influenced the joints' strength and stiffness. Reducing the width of the connecting elements from 40 to 30 mm and the inner radius between the arms from 2 to 1 mm does not significantly affect the joints' strength and stiffness coefficients.

Жиһаз индустриясы үшін мамандар даярлаудағы инновациялық цифрлық шешімдер

In the context of the rapid development of technologies and changing market requirements, this approach is becoming increasingly relevant, as it contributes to the formation of creative and innovative specialists. The purpose of the study is to analyze the use of digital design and design thinking in the educational process, as well as to assess their impact on the formation of professional competencies of students. The paper examines modern practices and methodologies, including the use of 3D modeling software, virtual reality and other digital tools that allow students to interact with real-time projects. The study used interactive multimedia tools, digital methods of graphic design, and virtual experiences adapted in the learning process. The results of the analysis show that the integration of digital technologies into training not only increases the level of student participation, but also contributes to the development of critical thinking, teamwork skills and the ability to solve practical problems in furniture design and production. These conclusions indicate the need to adapt educational programs to modern requirements and challenges, and also open up new opportunities for the use of innovative teaching methods in the furniture industry, which, in turn, can contribute to increasing the competitiveness of specialists in the labor market.

Structural design and experimental verification of a thin-walled plastic chairs based on the finite element method

This study focuses on the design and preparation of a thin-walled plastic chair, and its mechanical properties were investigated by high load, cyclic load and drop impact. The finite element method (FEM) was employed to accurately evaluate the chair’s safety under these forces. Additionally, the effects of important structural parameters on the loading process in different states were investigated. Furthermore, a solid plastic chair prototype was created for experimental analysis. The findings revealed that increasing the thickness of the key structural parameters enhanced the safety properties of the chair under various load conditions. Optimal results were obtained when both dimensions were set to 5 mm. The deformation errors in FEM, experimental strength analysis, fatigue analysis, and drop impact analysis were measured at 3.7%, 3.6%, and 11.7%, respectively. Similarly, the stress errors were determined to be 5.9%, 5.2%, and 6.5%. These results suggest that the structural design of the chair demonstrates excellent reliability. Studying the crucial structural parameters of a plastic chair can provide valuable insights for the scientific design and safety evaluation of thin-walled furniture.

Continuous Casting Tundish Dead Volume Study by Physical Modeling and Computational Investigation

Flow efficiency in a two‐strand continuous casting tundish is studied by analyzing the residential time distribution (RTD) curves in a small‐scale tundish water model using a conductive NaCl solution tracer. The velocity fields in the tundish water model are measured by particle image velocimetry, which is used to validate the results of the mathematical model in the article. It is found that the tracer concentration has a significant impact on the predicted dead volume fraction in the RTD analysis. Validated mathematical modeling of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology is performed to explore the root cause of the defective results in the RTD analysis. It is found that the flow inside the tundish is sensitive to density variations caused by the injected tracer. A denser tracer will stay lower in the tundish by gravity and flow out of the tundish more quickly. A proper tracer concentration in the water model experiments is discussed to visualize the dead volume and improve tundish furniture design efficiently for future work, a new method using CFD modeling is proposed in this article, which can directly demonstrate the dead volume's location.

Design redistribution: the role and involvement of craftsmen in the embodiment of design in the Indonesian rattan furniture industry

ABSTRACT This article explores the roles and positions of craftsmen in the design development within the Indonesian rattan furniture industry. Positioned as subcontractors, craftsmen play an essential role in the design development process, particularly in the exploration and interpretation of sketch drawings into prototypes that meet buyers’ specifications and gain their approval. This research utilised a phenomenological approach to explore the experiences of craftsmen in creating prototypes conveyed solely through sketch drawings. Rattan furniture design is generally dynamic and organic, characterised by numerous curves and complex forms that are challenging to depict accurately. Sketch drawings are rough and often lack proper proportions, scalability, standardisation, and intricate details, leading to varying interpretations of the prototype sketch drawings. Based on their experience and creativity, the craftsmen create prototypes solely by referring to sketch drawings. Consequently, there has been a significant collaboration between contractors and craftsmen as subcontractors in the design process. This research is part of an initiative aimed at recognising craftsmen as marginalised participants in small business entities, highlighting their contributions and rights within the collaborative design process.

Thomas Sheraton (1751–1806) Leading Furniture Designer, Baptist Preacher and Polemicist

ABSTRACT Thomas Sheraton was born in Stockton-on-Tees in 1751 and died in poverty in London in 1806. He was arguably the greatest influence on English and American furniture styles at the end of the eighteenth century and for most of the nineteenth century because of his works on cabinet-making, and his influence was also felt on the European continent. He was also a religious polemicist and an ordained Baptist minister, publishing pamphlets on spiritual regeneration, baptism, and the relationship of the Christian to the state. This article, based partly on Sheraton's own works, traces his career both as a furniture designer and as a Baptist pastor and polemicist and deals with evaluations of the man and his work by writers in the United Kingdom, the United States, and France.

People, Places, and Perceptions: Assessing Spatial Quality Attributes of Urban Third-place With Projective Survey

Urban third places, such as cafes, parks, and plazas, are integral to the social fabric of urban environments, providing spaces for informal social interaction outside of home and work. This study explores the spatial quality attributes that define these third places and their influence on user perceptions and experiences. By employing a projective survey, a qualitative research method utilizing ambiguous stimuli to reveal deeper user sentiments, the research identifies key characteristics that contribute to the desirability of these spaces. Findings highlight the significance of physical, functional, and social dimensions, including furniture design, spatial layout, and opportunities for social interaction. These attributes are shown to vary significantly across different age groups, with notable differences in preferences between younger and older participants. The study's insights inform urban designers and architects on creating inclusive, vibrant third places that enhance urban livability and economic vitality. The research underscores the need for a human-centric approach in urban design, emphasizing the importance of accommodating diverse user needs and preferences to foster a sense of community and well-being in urban settings. By understanding the nuanced relationships between spatial attributes and user perceptions, the study contributes to the development of more effective urban design strategies.

Shipping Considerations and Furniture Design: A Study for Achieving Economic Competitive Advantage

Shipping Considerations and Furniture Design: A Study for Achieving Economic Competitive Advantage

Investigating the Use of 3D Printing and the Integration of BIM in Manufacturing Furniture Units

Abstract 3D printing is an emerging technology and one of the main aspects that can help in its success is BIM (Building Information Modelling). Despite recent interest in this topic, research indicates that to date no framework is in place that highlights the integration of BIM with 3D printing technology in the furniture design and production industry. This research delves deep into the use of 3D printing with the aid of BIM tools to produce furniture units. Through an analytical and experimental approach, this study aims to develop a conceptual framework that integrates BIM within the 3D printing process of small-scale furniture units. To gather data, the existing literature has been reviewed thoroughly and a framework was developed and adopted in the experimental study; where a BIM software was used to simulate a piece of furniture and measure the printing process against a set of criteria such as cost, material, and energy consumption. Results of the experiment were analysed and validated by applying comparative analysis between the interview with an expert in the interior 3D printing field and the results of the simulation. The research provided key aspects to be considered in the 3D printing of interior furniture pieces in addition to outlining the relevant limitations as well as the possible opportunities for further research.

THE MODEL OF ONLINE TEACHING AND LEARNING ACHIEVEMENT IN A NEW NORMAL OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN RAJAMANGALA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY PHRA NAKHON

This research focuses on studying the results of online teaching in the new normal to design online teaching media in the new normal and satisfaction of 3rd year students in the furniture design course for online. The method was researched by looking at each type of program information for online teaching, interviewing and analyzing it to determine the appropriateness for use as a teaching medium. The process of creating presentation media was selected from eight to one programs by interviewing Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and three teachers. Then, there was assessed online learning and teaching achievements using five level rating scale. The results showed that Google Classroom and Google Meet were the most suitable for online teaching and learning as they could create separated classroom clearly and conveniently. Google Classroom and Google Meet had the highest average (x̄ = 5.00, SD = 0.00). By comparing the pre-test scores with learning achievement scores of the sample group, it was found that the pre-test was at 15.29 (48.92%) and the post-test was at 24.82 (80.33%). The overall assessment of 62 students’ satisfaction was at a high level with an average of (x̄ = 4.08, SD = 0.50) The satisfaction with a high average was the use of online learning media, followed by online media and online lesson. The test scores had an average of (x̄ = 4.40, SD = 0.44) The satisfaction of Furniture Design subject had an average of (x̄ = 4.17, SD = 0.48), learning achievement of online lesson users with an average of (x̄ = 3.92, SD = 0.50) and the lesson content of online media with an average of (x̄ = 3.84, SD = 0.58) respectively.

Influence of Hotel Design on Guest Experience and Satisfaction in Kenya

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of hotel design on guest experience and satisfaction in Kenya. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low-cost advantage as compared to field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study indicated that aesthetic appeal, functionality, and comfort of hotel interiors significantly contribute to guest satisfaction. Elements such as room layout, furniture design, lighting, and color schemes can create a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere, enhancing the perceived quality of the stay. Additionally, common areas like lobbies, restaurants, and recreational facilities also impact guests' first impressions and ongoing experiences. The design must cater to diverse guest needs, offering both communal and private spaces that facilitate social interactions and personal relaxation. Moreover, incorporating local culture and unique design elements can provide a memorable and authentic experience, further boosting guest satisfaction. Sustainable and eco-friendly design practices are increasingly valued by guests, reflecting their growing environmental consciousness. Overall, a well-thought-out hotel design can significantly enhance guest experience, leading to higher satisfaction, repeat visits, and positive reviews, which are vital for the hotel's success in a competitive market. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Environmental psychology theory, services cape theory and expectancy-disconfirmation theory may be used to anchor future studies on assessing the influence of hotel design on guest experience and satisfaction in Kenya. Hotels should prioritize investing in visually appealing and unique design elements, especially in common areas like lobbies. Policymakers should encourage and incentivize sustainable design practices in the hospitality industry.

Research on willow furniture design based on Kano-AHP and TRIZ

Research on willow furniture design based on Kano-AHP and TRIZ

Personalized Recommendations Model Based on User Behavior Analysis in Computer-aided Furniture Design Teaching

Personalized Recommendations Model Based on User Behavior Analysis in Computer-aided Furniture Design Teaching

Emotional design and evaluation of children’s furniture based on AHP-TOPSIS

Children’s physical and mental health development is highly related to furniture and integrating the emotional design concept into children’s furniture design helps cultivate children’s personalities and promote healthy growth. The model framework of children’s furniture emotional design was constructed from the instinctive level, behavioral level, and reflective level. The comprehensive weight of the design factors was calculated using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and three schemes were designed according to the priority of the design factors. The evaluation matrix was constructed by combining the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), and the distances of each scheme from the positive and negative ideal solutions were calculated, and the optimal scheme was selected according to the relative proximity ranking of the three schemes. The experimental results verified the importance of the reflective level in the three levels of the emotional design theory and emphasized the key role of emotional design in children’s furniture. Therefore, the evaluation system based on AHP and TOPSIS is feasible, which can effectively reduce the influence of subjective factors, make the design decision more scientific, and provide a new reference approach for furniture design.

Relationship between Learning Environment Design and Musculoskeletal Disorders in Learners

Introduction: Students spend most of their day at school sitting in their classroom furniture which is not quite the right size for students. This can be uncomfortable and even lead to back pain, leg cramps, and other problems. Method: Students’ body size for good posture while sitting, include popliteal to floor height, elbow to seat height, thigh thickness, sitting height, buttock to popliteal length, buttock to knee length, elbow to elbow breadth, the width of bitrochanter, subscapular height, and sitting shoulder height, and one standing is stature. Similarly, dimensions of chair-with-table, like seat height, the upper edge of the backrest, seat width, seat depth, table length, table width, table height, backrest height, and footrest currently used in the classroom were taken. The study compared students' anthropometry data with the furniture dimension data to obtain a match or mismatch between them with the help of standard mismatch equations. Results: The study reported that the mean body measurements of males are larger than females except for the width of bitrochanter. Seat width, seat depth, backrest height, and the upper edge of the backrest showed high mismatch percentages in students when patronising chairs. Table length reported high mismatch percentages among students. Conclusion: Using the users’ body sizes for furniture design will reduce musculoskeletal disorders and improve users’ sitting position. The recommended dimensions in furniture design will ergonomically fit students’ anthropometric measurements.