AI
Designed by:
Starck P
Co-Designed by:
-
Designer:
Philippe Starck
Co-Designer:
-
Country of Origin (Designer):
France
Date of Design:
2019
Date of Manufacture:
2019
Decade:
2010s
Region:
Europe
Significance:
First production chair designed using AI
Manufacturer:
Kartell
Country of Origin (Manufacturer):
Italy
Material:
Technopolymer
Process:
Injection moulded
Monobloc:
Yes
Cantilever:
No
Renewable Carbon:
Yes
ERPR Score:
10
ERPR Rating:
Average
Weight:
3.9
Note:
French industrial designer, Philippe Starck designed the injection moulded chair using prototype generative design software developed by Autodesk.
Originally developed for engineering solutions, AI software mimics the growth structures of bones and trees to optimise strength in designs. In contrast to additive 3D printing, the process starts with a virtual cube and subtracts matter to model an efficient form to fulfil the defined parameters. The design process is more akin to working with mechanical techniques with wood rather than moulding with plastics. Al created the rough shape of the design but human intervention refined the finished product and ensured the chair is stackable.
Despite combining leading-edge AI software with recycled material in a monobloc, Starck’s chair only achieved an ERPR in the average range. The design is promoted as being made from 100% recycled ‘thermoplastic techopolymer with mineral filler.’ While that might sound impressive to unsuspecting customers, the chair is actually made from mixed plastic production scraps, perhaps more accurately described as factory floor sweepings (with negative consequences for the chair's end-of-life prospects). Although the AI Chair can stack three units high the chair is shipped in cartons containing only two units, bringing down the score for transportation. As a monobloc there are no alternative versions of the model available and colour choice is restricted to five options.
Image Credit:
Kartell