Phoenix

Yida CNC

Discipline:

Product

Location:

Taichung, Taiwan

Year:

2019

Description:

Why
The Phoenix Chair launches a series exploring form, mythology, and material interplay, inspired by the phoenix’s power and renewal. Its design, mimicking the bird’s resting wings and arched back, tackles blending symbolic elegance with functional strength.

Brief
We aimed to craft a sculptural seating piece that doubles as a bold throne, using parametric detailing and dynamic shaping to fuse artistry with utility, creating a striking interaction of light and texture.

Approach
Four components were precision-crafted and fused with high-temperature scorching, forming a seamless, flowing body envisioned in aluminum. Parametric feather-like patterns on the armrests add depth, balancing sharp rigidity with smooth grace through careful material manipulation.

Outcome
The chair merges myth and modernity, its projected aluminum form and intricate craftsmanship radiating authority and renewal. Light is expected to dance across its surfaces, making it a functional yet iconic spectacle.

Challenges
Crafting an organic, flowing shape that stays structurally sound was tricky—early scorching tests warped initial materials, forcing us to fine-tune heating and cooling for projected durability and fluidity.

Insights
Assuming simpler fusion methods would work underestimated the scorching’s complexity—I’d test cooling phases earlier next time. The process proved parametric design’s power to elevate symbolic furniture, inspiring the series ahead.

Product Details
Projected Dimensions: w95 x d88 x h108 cm
Material: Aluminum

Process

The Phoenix Chair project started with digital design, sketching parametric patterns on software to mimic phoenix feathers with sharp, layered textures for the wings. We modeled the chair in 3D, focusing on an arched back and flowing armrests, adjusting angles to balance elegance and support. Early renders looked promising but needed physical testing.

Next, we crafted four aluminum components, using a mill to carve feather details and a press to shape curves. High-temperature scorching fused them, but initial attempts warped the metal, so we fine-tuned heating and cooling cycles for stability. Hand-finishing followed—sanding edges, polishing surfaces—to enhance light reflection.

The project concluded with a 1:10 scale model, a precise aluminum replica capturing the chair’s mythic form. Testing the model confirmed proportions; it held firm, proving the design’s potential despite scaling challenges, setting a clear path for the full-sized piece.