AUDI R18 ultra chair by clemens weisshaar + reed kram at design miami/ 2012
SHARE AND PROMOTE YOUR WORK
since 1999, home of design culture, designboom has been the world'sfirst online magazine. we welcome readers to submit projects. START UPLOADING
first image
'R18 ultra chair' by clemens weisshaar and reed kram
all images courtesy of AUDI
the 'R18 ultra chair' by clemens weisshaar and reed kram of kram/weisshaar first made its debut as a prototype during
milan design week in april 2012. at this presentation, the seat was outfitted with sensors emitting electronic signals
which collected data from sitters, monitoring their response and behaviour with it - a technology which is similar to that applied
in test labs at AUDI for developing racing cars (you can see designboom's coverage of the interactive installation and testing here).
the carbon fibre and aluminium sheet metal construction weighs only 2.2 kilograms
gathering data from more than 1,500 testers, weisshaar and kram worked together with engineers of AUDI 's lightweight construction centre
to analyze the information recorded and have fine-tuned the design - its namesake from the 'R18 ultra racing car which competed
for AUDI in 24 hours of le mans this year - since its initial trial. taking into account lightweight construction technology,
ensuring an efficient and sustainable use of resources and materials, the chair's structural data has now been optimized to offer
maximum stability and comfort through a minimal use of materials - utilized in locations which best suit their properties.
the result is a carbon fiber and high-strength sheet aluminium construction which is one kilogram (2.20 lbs) lighter than its first iteration,
weighing in at a final 2.2 kilograms (4.85 lbs).
'R18 ultra chair' presentation at designmiami/ 2012
'the technology was used for an item of furniture for the first time and allowed us to depict the forces at play in the chair,'
explains designer clemens weisshaar. in addition, dr. karl durst, an engineer in fiber-reinforced composites at the
AUDI lightweight construction states, 'we combined the strengths of the materials in such a way that their weaknesses
are no longer important.'
the final 'R18 ultra chair' is being presented at designmiami/ 2012 in a special presentation which documents the design process
during the chair's various stages of development, giving insight into the designers' work.
design process behind the AUDI 'R18 ultra chair' by clemens weisshaar and reed kram
video courtesy of AUDI
OK.. so most of the objects made by Audi are beautifully designed.. but that chair is absolutely hideous.. sorry
A lot technology, effort, time and money to produce an UGLY chair that does not look to be comfortable.
Does the word WASTE come to mind?
an interesting design exercise – with a questionable end result, which visually is appealing in the brutalist vein, hardly seems ergonomically appropriate. I hope I am wrong, it had to cost a shit load….
This chair is beautiful , the shape, edges and aggressive line makes it look not so ergonomic,but i had the pleasure to experiences seating on the chair and is as light as a paper and and as ergonomic as any other chair in the wold. Very good work from the design team and the engineering as well