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Geometry of Curves and Surfaces in Contemporary Chair Design

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Abstract

In the present work, we focus on some of the current trends used in furniture design, from a dual point of view: differential geometry of curves and surfaces, and the existing perspective deriving from the usual techniques of computer-aided design. The contributions of architects such as Alvar Aalto, Mies van der Rohe, Marcel Breuer, Arne Jacobsen and Charles and Ray Eames to contemporary chair design are related to these techniques. Among them, we point out those which are performed by means of spatial geometric transformations of curves and surfaces, with an emphasis on ruled surfaces.

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Acknowledgements

The authors want to express their gratitude to Rocio Carvajal Alcaide and the Editor Kim Williams for the valuable comments and suggestions. All images are by the author unless indicated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Física y Matemáticas, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain

    Alberto Lastra

  2. Departamento de Arquitectura, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain

    Manuel De Miguel

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  1. Alberto Lastra
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  2. Manuel De Miguel
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Correspondence to Alberto Lastra.

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Lastra, A., De Miguel, M. Geometry of Curves and Surfaces in Contemporary Chair Design. Nexus Netw J 22, 643–657 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00004-020-00477-1

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