A corrugated cardboard bench which is stronger than an ant (prototype)
paper prototype of a corrugated card-board bench
For my upcoming “Magic-benches” project (in which I will install conceptual urban furniture in public spaces around me), Rashmi taught me how to make a bench which is as strong as an ant :) Here she makes a prototype with simple paper. I will be trying to implement the same design with corrugated cardboard.
Immediate learning: the bench is as strong as an ant, maybe more. It can bear wiights many many times its own weight without collapsing. For installing the cardboard-version on the streets, I may need to tie it down with stones?
The fingers and the design + knowhow of the chair belongs to Rashmi (http://cityspinning.org/author/rashmi/).
20 photos
 Step # 1: Divide the sheet of paper or corrugated cardboard into many equal parts. |  Step # 2: Now fold the sheet across half the area of each part. |  The folds need to be “cater-pillar” folds, or maybe like a origami fan. |
 Complete folding the entire sheet in the way described. |  completion… |  Step # 3: Measure and divide the folded sheet into three parts. Two parts of legs of the bench and the middle part for the seat area. |
 Step # 4: Fold the folded sheet across the borders of the two leg areas firmly. Fold in bother directions possible. One is trying to get the zig-zag marks of the folds to register and show. |  Step # 5: Darken the zig-zag fold marks on the opposite side of the folded paper sheet with a pencil. |  keep darkening till you are done |
 Step # 6: Pinch each zig and zag :) to create ridges like the ones seen in the picture above. |  Step # 6: Fold across the ridges so that each adjacent ridge meets. Each adjacent plane across the ridge will be alternatively up or down. |  Ya, if my descriptions are cryptic, make sure you end up with something like this. |
 Lo and behold! The bench is ready. (Did I miss a step?) |  it stands |  Evidence: The bench is as strong as an ant, maybe more. |
 Making a belt for the seating area. |  The belt, step 2. |  the belt, detail |
 the belt, detail |  the belt, attached |
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