"Strata reimagines the everyday step stool as a bold statement of modern design. With its striking X-shaped profile and sculptural silhouette, Strata seamlessly integrates into any living space as both a functional tool and an artistic object. It elevates the mundane into the memorable—designed not to be hidden away, but proudly displayed. Whether you're reaching for a high shelf or simply appreciating its architectural presence, Strata brings thoughtful aesthetics and purpose into perfect balance."
The final outcome of the Strata project was a product that explores how visual design can redefine household utility. Most step-stools are not aesthetically interesting causing them to become an eyesore or get hidden away from view. Strata breaks away from this trend by being both eye-catching and useful; furniture shouldn't have to be kept out of sight––its design should positively impact the space it's used in. Constructed from CNC cut plywood and steel dowels, the stool emphasizes rhythmic repetition through slatted surfaces and angled planes. The interplay of light and shadow across its structure enhances its visual depth while reinforcing its layered geometry, thus creating a bespoke artpiece that is as beautiful as it is utilitarian. This design was created in collaboration with another designer as a group project.
The project brief was to design and construct a two-step step-stool, and after conducting research to inform our design process we established that our stool needed to be sculptural. We investigated various shapes and silhouettes, before coming up with the X-shaped cross section. Fusion 360 was used to create the CAD files necessary for CNC cutting of the 31 separate pieces, before the stool could be assembled.