31 March 2009

Tyred? Take a Seat

Ross Gardam introduces his 'Tyred' chair - putting the 'cycle' into 'life-cycle design'.

Product designer Ross Gardam has been busy refining prototypes and producing new products and concepts since taking out the Living Edge award in the 2008 Launch Pad competition for his ‘Flat Jack’ shelf.

With his company, Spaceleft, he has been collaborating with other designers and continues to produce stop-motion animation videos of his products.

Working with David Sevior, Gardam has produced the ‘Tyred’ chair. Made using a stripped ‘Delma’ chair. Discarded bicycle inner-tubes – sourced from local bike shops – are wrapped around the re-finished frame, creating a seat and backrest.

“In keeping with the Before and After theme 'Tyred', aims to give a second life to products which are at the end of their life-cycle,” Gardam says.

The inner tube backrest can be inflated or deflated depending on the user’s desired support.

The ‘Tyred’ chair is available in limited runs through Spaceleft for AUD$320.

Gardam is also in the process of finding a distributor for his Ply High Table (also a Launch Pad ’08 finalist). See the manufacturing process in another clip from the designer below.

spaceleft.com.au