Indian Journal of Arts of Journal Indian S Form A- , 2015, , PERSPECTIVE S Fo R
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Indian Journal of Arts PERSPECTIVE International Quarterly Journal for Arts ISSN 2320 – 6659 EISSN 2320 – 687X © 2015 Discovery Publication. All Rights Reserved Bio-structural analogues in furniture : transforma- tional potential of chair design as can be found in Rafflesia structures Publication History Received: 7 July 2015 Accepted: 14 September 2015 Published: 1 December 2015 Citation Fu Chew Xiang, Zulkifli B Muslim, Mohd Sharizal Dolah. Bio-structural analogues in furniture : transfor- mational potential of chair design as can be found in Rafflesia structures. Indian Journal of Arts, 2015, 5(16), 53-65 53 Page BIO-STRUCTURAL ANALOGUES IN FURNITURE : TRANFORMATIONAL POTENTIAL OF CHAIR DESIGN AS CAN BE FOUND IN RAFFLESIA STRUCTURES Fu Chew Xiang1 , Zulkifli B Muslim2and Mohd Sharizal Dolah3 1Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia, [email protected] 2Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia, [email protected] 3Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia, [email protected] ABSTRACT. The aim of this literature review paper is to explore bio- structural analogues in furniture, focusing on discovering the transforma- tional potential of chair design as can be found in Rafflesia structures. The rationale behind this research problem is to bridging the gap between Trans- formational Design Theory, Rafflesia morphology and plant analogues chair design. By incorporating a qualitative design methodology and a critical and comprehensive review of a range of recently published literature sources (until December 2014) addressing various issues related to the transforma- tion process , Rafflesia Azlanii and plant analogues chair, hence this re- search unearths insights about the Transformation Principles, macroscopic and microscopic morphology of Rafflesia endemic to Malaysia resources, and discussion on the latest plant analogues design. It is hoped that the anal- ysis , as captured in this paper, will highlight the different transformation process in chair development. The paper will be of interest to researchers in the areas of plant analogues design, enable learning environments, in gener- al. Further, the finding of this paper demonstrates how the analysis of aca- demic literature sources has been combined with commentaries and opi- nions on the journals and articles to develop this literature review. Therefore it fulfills an identified information/resources of Transformation Design Theory, design analogy of Rafflesia and chair to offer practical help to stu- dents/academicians/ designers starting out a plant analogues design direc- tion. It is a very useful source of information and impartial advice which its contributions may be commercialized and influence learning and teaching strategies in higher and further education specifically institutions that are considering the use of Rafflesia cellular structure in chair design. Keywords: Transformation Design Theory, Transformation Principle, Raf- flesia, Rafflesia morphology, plant analogues design, chair design, Malaysia identity design, transformer, design analogy INTRODUCTION The comprehensive review of the literature outlined the definitions on three main factors affecting the study, namely transformation principle, Rafflesia flower and plant analogues in relation to each. The paper explores bio-structural analogues in furniture, more specifically focusing on discovering the transformational potential of chair design as can be found in Raf- flesia structures. This review will analyse transformational design theories, Rafflesia mor- phology and plant design analogue. This literature review is structured in a few phases (table 1). 54 Page Table 1. Phases of Literature Review. PHASE I DEFINING PROBLEMS/GAP This section identifying the research gap as the point of departure for further study and it helps to formulate the research questions. Science, Technology and Design Multiple studies have been conducted to fill up the gap between science and technology, in a recent study (Bokova, 2010) also promoting the world leaders to invest in science and tech- nology in order to support sustainable development. These studies progressing in a way that is likely to result in success, the positive benefits of science and technology can be seen in latest “new blood” (Barras, 2015) found by the UK National Health Service whereby this artificial blood made from stem cells could replicate real blood by 2017. The researcher see a close relationship between design, science and technology from the studies above and realises the benefits of formulating new theories to develop existing chair structures. However, little did the researcher knows, not many studies have been conducted for furniture design that can hear about a hybrid of science and transformation technology. A bio-structural analogues furniture that deserves research recognition is unique and highly valued in sustainable furniture design. A variety of biomimicry (nature-inspired solutions) are available in the furniture market however detailed documentation in recording the design analogy and its process are hardly found. Therefore, it has shed light on an even bigger ques- tion on why this research study must be conducted. Recapping S. Rajasekar (2013), research acts as the fountain of knowledge and give guidance to fill up the gaps and providing answers to questions. This research study not only providing guidance for chair structures design, it also identify the morphological analogy of Rafflesia and transformational theory. Despite the result in success the researcher had been carrying on regardless. The research will lead to new lifestyle and makes the chair design pleasant and impressive (S. Rajasekar, 2013). Motivation. This section will address the following research questions: What is design through transformation and how transformation facilitates chair design? How is analogue defined? What are the advantages and disadvantages of an ana- logue chair design? What are the benefits of creating a new Rafflesia plant structure/form analogue chair and how can we achieve it? Research Question No.1 and 2 sought to address the design through transformation approach- es to draw an analogy between Rafflesia plant structure/form and chair design. The latter re- 55 search question provides insights about the characteristic and growth principle of Rafflesia structure/form endemic to Malaysia resources; transformation process design theory that may Page influence the analogy between Rafflesia cellular structure/form and chair design as a Malay- sia identity product; also its benefits and guidelines to students/educators/designers of using Rafflesia cellular structure as an analogy that facilitates the development of chair design. PHASE II LITERATURE REVIEW This section will review the research subjects in the context on the transformation design theory, bio-structural analogues structures, Rafflesia morphology and design analogy in de- tails. Transformation Design Theory and its Principles An established research by Brandon (2007) notably the transformation theory, encapsulated in a set of transformation principles. Collectively, these principles when embodied singly, creating a transformation. These transformation principles would constitute a developing theory of design for transformation (Carolyn, 2006). The following examples adopted from Vikramjit Singh (2009) bring out different sets of mechanical transformation derived from the transformation principles. Consequently, these principles aid to the trans- former chair as raised in the Research Question No.1. a. b. c. Figure 1. Examples of Expand/Collapse. (Source: Vikramjit Singh, 2009) a. b. c. Figure 2. Examples of Expose/Cover (Source: Vikramjit Singh, 2009) 56 Page a. b. c. Figure 3. Examples of Fuse/Divide (Source: Vikramjit Singh, 2009) From the above , it has clearly defined the meaning of the transformation principle with particular examplar from chairs, natural analogies and products. It is evident that chair design grows over a period of time and becoming more advanced, complete , would develop and develop fast with the potential of transformation theory. Innovation in Design through Transformation Preliminary observations by Jason Weaver (2010) claimed that transformation makes things truly portable. These products that transform are now called transformer in this paper. Transformation design theory works well with the furniture piece in order to enhance its features and make it a value-added home piece. Apart from its original function (a surface to be seated), this theory has given the chair a new function with its portable characteristic. A transformer by Sebastian Errazuriz, has successfully showed the unfurlable side of a slatted cabinet. Users have the alternative ways of opening the Wave Cabinet (Figure 4) by pulling back one of the many slats along its length to make an opening (Howarth, 2014). Hence, this cabinet has set a new lifestyle and trend which the beauty in it is the dynamic movement from the cabinet opening, it could be an inspiration for other furniture design. Figure 4. The Wave Cabinet by Sebastian Errazuriz (Source: Howarth, 2014) Why Transformer Vikramjit Singh (2009) had carried out studies identifying the analogies in existing nature, patents, and products in different settings and cicumstances based on their roles in general transformations to support his hypothesis as the element of innovative design process. This has shed a light on the importance of transformational chair design in which the researcher attempts to establish the transformation