Summer 2025
Furniture Design
A minimalist steel rocking chair designed to encourage gentle movement while balancing comfort, portability and long-term use.
Steel Rocking Chair
overview
The chair was designed for my father, with the aim of encouraging gentle movement throughout the day while providing a comfortable place to sit and recover. The design needed to feel visually light and minimal, while still acting as a statement piece within the room.
Portability and longevity were considered throughout the project. The chair can be moved between indoor and outdoor spaces, removable cushions allow worn components to be replaced, and rubber strips beneath the steel rockers protect flooring and soften the contact between the frame and ground.
deliverables
Furniture Design
Human-Centred Design
Metal Fabrication
Prototyping
01 — Design & Development
Developing the chair around movement, ergonomics and a restrained structural language.
about
Early development explored the relationship between the rocking geometry, seating position and overall proportions of the chair. Sketches and models were used to refine the form while considering comfort, ease of use and how the chair would sit within its intended environment.
The design evolved toward a simple steel frame with a clear visual rhythm, balancing structural efficiency with a minimalist aesthetic. Details such as the armrests, cushion placement and rocker profile were refined alongside the overall form.
02 — Fabrication & Refinement
Translating the concept into a full-size steel frame through fabrication, fitting and refinement.
about
Steel was used to create a strong and durable frame while keeping the construction visually simple. The fabrication process required careful control of dimensions, joins and alignment so the rocking motion remained smooth and the chair felt stable in use.
The workshop photographs follow the curved components, jigs, welding and fitting of the frame. Bringing these parts together at full scale allowed the relationships between the rockers, seat and armrests to be resolved as a working piece of furniture.
03 — Final Design
Bringing movement, comfort and longevity together in a finished chair designed for my father.
about
The finished chair pairs a minimal steel frame with removable cushions, giving my father a comfortable place to sit and recover while encouraging gentle movement. Its open structure keeps the form visually light while allowing it to act as a statement piece within the room.
The chair can be moved between indoor and outdoor spaces, while replaceable cushions support long-term use. Rubber strips beneath the rockers protect flooring and soften contact with the ground, bringing the practical details of comfort, care and longevity into the final design.
nicholas elton
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