andrew slorance reinvents the wheelchair out of carbon fiber
all images courtesy of andrew slorance

 

 

 

after suffering a spinal injury at the age of 14, andrew slorance decided that he would one day reinvent the wheelchair. after years of waiting for a revolution that never happened, andrew took matters into his own hands and set out to fulfill this dream by manufacturing a vehicle that would be as much about its design as its practicality. ‘I felt that wheelchairs were horrible medical devices, and couldn’t understand why companies didn’t advance their wheelchairs in the same way bike companies did with their products,’ says slorance. eventually, ‘carbon black‘ was born to change perceptions and advance the typical construction and aesthetic of its predecessors.

andrew slorance carbon black carbon fiber wheelchair
the design offers an optional LED system that clearly lights the path ahead for safe and confident night time travel

 

 

 

made by F1 engineers with durable materials, slorance aimed at reaching the active, independent user to whom style matters as much as functionality. as a result, carbon fiber was selected for the primary structure, as the chair had to be minimal and lightweight, as well as being robust enough for everyday use.

andrew slorance carbon black carbon fiber wheelchair
the full carbon fiber wheels are beautiful to look at and use 

 

 

 

the aesthetic is the result of a construction system built to enhance life as a wheelchair user. the ease of use principles in the project were then combined with the engineering requirements of the woven fabric. the monocoque-based structure can be tailored to bespoke measurements, maximizing strength while using the least amount of components possible.

andrew slorance carbon black carbon fiber wheelchair
the ‘carbon black’ logo shows the motion of hands pushing the chair

andrew slorance carbon black carbon fiber wheelchair
the unique brake system locks the hub of the wheel 

andrew slorance carbon black carbon fiber wheelchair
the slight curve encourages a natural, comfortable resting place for the legs

andrew slorance carbon black carbon fiber wheelchair
the components laid out

andrew slorance carbon black carbon fiber wheelchair
the construction is light and efficient

andrew slorance carbon black carbon fiber wheelchair
the minimalist backrest is adjustable for users of all ages and body types

andrew slorance carbon black carbon fiber wheelchair
the chair is compact when dismantled

 


video courtesy of andrew slorance

andrew slorance carbon black carbon fiber wheelchair
finite element analysis is used to create the strongest, stiffest chair possible

andrew slorance carbon black carbon fiber wheelchair
every chair is handmade by expert engineers

 

 

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.