STUDENT CHALLENGE: FORBO X EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY

The Cart Project

The Student Challenge

In September 2019, Professor Christian Blyt from the Emily Carr University in Vancouver approached Forbo Flooring Systems and Danish retail brand BoConcept about the possibility of doing a collective project with his third-year Industrial Design students.

Very quickly, a collaboration was formed that allowed his students access to Furniture Linoleum , a unique and sustainable material made by Forbo, and the opportunity to design and build a multifunctional cart for compact urban living spaces with close input from an international furniture brand.

The purpose of the project was to create a piece of furniture that can adapt to today’s compact living environment by providing multiple functions for the user through the juxtaposition of a static and dynamic state of movement.

In addition, the project aimed to address, and potentially find solutions to the environmental impact caused by the furniture industry by considering the life cycle of the product in its entirety.

BoConcept’s business model of clean, functional design and personal customization and Forbo’s furniture linoleum that is flexible, both literally and figuratively provided an excellent foundation for 6 three-person teams to start designing and prototyping. The overarching goal of the project was to utilize the best qualities of both companies to produce a design that is versatile, resilient, and ecologically responsible.

Over the 14-week semester there were three major presentations/critiques where the student teams formally presented their development to the partners and invited professional designers. From these sessions valuable feedback and suggestion was given that allowed the teams to develop their designs from 2D abstract concepts into a full-scale finished working prototype.

Curious to see the finished results? Click on the tabs above to view each finished prototype and read more on the design process.

Student Challenge Emily Carr | design process

B-orb

B-orb, for smart living

B-orb is a cart designed for multifunctionality through simple but thoughtful detailing, allowing urban dwellers to live smartly in their small spaces. A concept that aligns seamlessly well with BoConcept’s Scandinavian Design Style and Forbo’s focus on creating durable, sustainable products for a harmonious and healthy living environment.

B-orb is a concept developed by Jialin Meng, Suzanna Wu and Ruth Weng.
Materials used to realize the prototype are Forbo Furniture linoleum, solid wood, and plywood.

Congrego

Congrego, bringing people together

Congrego is the Latin word for gather or assemble. The intent of this project was to create a multifunctional cart that brings people together. It is perfect for entertaining company with a fold out table extension and the two stools. The stools can double as shelving when not in use and the cart has a middle area that is great for magazines, books, and other small items. The linoleum adds an accent of colour that contrasts nicely with the warm wood.

Congrego is a concept developed by Joana Palma, Katherine Percy, and Sarah Rostad.

Materials used to realize the prototype are Forbo Furniture linoleum, bent plywood, and plywood.

Duplo

Duplo, a transformable design

Duplo is a transformable cart made up of different living surfaces incorporating a purposeful contrast with Forbo’s furniture linoleum that communicates an effortless shift from work to relax for modern urbanites living in compact living spaces. Through careful consideration the design team has strived to achieve desirable sustainability through quality, durability, while establishing an emotional bond between the user and our design.

Duplo is a concept developed by Carolina Marques, Jasmine Whelan, Whitney Fu

Materials used to realize the prototype are Forbo Furniture linoleum, solid wood, bent plywood and metal.

Jack

Jack, elevating the user experience

With the concept of Jack, the students aimed to address today’s small-space urban living challenges through the concept of mobility in furniture that brings a new dimension of functionality and form. Jack is adaptive to different environments and activities within the home elevating the user experience while not sacrificing sustainability.

Jack is a concept developed by Naomi Boyd, Tuyen Hoang and Chayan Aravena.

Materials used to realize the prototype are Forbo Furniture linoleum, solid wood, and plywood.

Perch

Perch, an artery for ecological change

Perch is a gesture towards functional sustainability, create rituals within the home, and can manoeuvre itself through oscillating environments. This visually balanced cart, made intentionally for small and flexible living spaces, will act as an artery for ecological change within the furniture industry and allow for rhythmic interpretations of how we interact with the everyday objects that surround us.

Perch is a concept developed by Ajra Doobenen, Connor Budd, and Sabastian Hach.

Materials used to realize the prototype are Forbo Furniture linoleum, solid wood, and bent plywood.

Re-veil

Re-Veil, a reflection on daily emotions

Re-Veil tells the story about the user’s reflection on their daily emotions through the act of concealing or revealing of the planes while playing with the geometric shapes. In doing so, making this cart a functional and sculptural piece that can support different activities throughout the home.

Re-Veil is a concept developed by Emily Pan, JingYi Yang and Queena Lyu.

Materials used to realize the prototype are Forbo Furniture linoleum, bent plywood, plywood, and solid wood.

Tempo

Tempo, an exploration into the sounds

The Tempo is an exploration into the sounds one encounters in the kitchen and throughout the process of making and enjoying a homemade meal. The form takes inspiration from a musical instrument, and serves as a central hub from which the user composes their meals, from the rhythmic percussion of knives on a cutting board to the satisfying crunch of greens being prepped for a salad. Tempo seamlessly blends the enjoyment surrounding food in a clean and simple design built around sustainable living.

Tempo is a concept developed by Ayako Takagi, Donnie MacNeil, and Nicholas Samson.

Materials used to realize the prototype are Forbo Furniture linoleum, bent plywood, and plywood.

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