Category: Designed by Tord Boontje

Rough and Ready Chair

Tord Boontje

Rough And Ready DIY Chair by Tord Boontje
Rough and Ready Chair

Designed by Tord Boontje
Published in Fall 2019

Tord Boontje’s visually striking Rough and Ready Chair utilizes a simple engineering trick, enhancing the strength of the brittle square frame by placing diagonal wooden pieces all around it. Its aesthetics are defined by whatever wood or spare blankets you happen to have on hand. The full assembly process takes up to 2 hours to complete, and the cost of parts really relies on how much you happen to already have. The design is also relatively easy to manipulate in order to make a bench or a stool.

Rough And Ready DIY Chair by Tord Boontje
Rough And Ready DIY Chair by Tord Boontje
Assembly

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1     Measure and cut the following lengths of 1in x 1in (34mm x 34mm) wood: 2 pieces 33.5in (847mm) long, 2 pieces 18in (460mm) long, 2 pieces 18.5in (470mm) long, 2 pieces 18in (454mm) long, 2 pieces 21in (538mm) long, 4 pieces 15in (380mm) long, 1 pieces 13.5in (340mm) long, 1 pieces 17.5in (440mm) long, 1 pieces 14in (350mm) long.
1     Measure and cut the following lengths of 1in x 1in (34mm x 34mm) wood: 2 pieces 33.5in (847mm) long, 2 pieces 18in (460mm) long, 2 pieces 18.5in (470mm) long, 2 pieces 18in (454mm) long, 2 pieces 21in (538mm) long, 4 pieces 15in (380mm) long, 1 pieces 13.5in (340mm) long, 1 pieces 17.5in (440mm) long, 1 pieces 14in (350mm) long.
2     Lay a 33.5in (847mm) long piece vertically. Horizontally, position one 18.5in (470mm) long piece 17.5in (440mm) from the bottom of the 33.5in (847mm) long piece. Then horizontally position one 18in (454mm) long piece 4in (104mm) from the bottom of the 33.5in (847mm) long piece.
2     Lay a 33.5in (847mm) long piece vertically. Horizontally, position one 18.5in (470mm) long piece 17.5in (440mm) from the bottom of the 33.5in (847mm) long piece. Then horizontally position one 18in (454mm) long piece 4in (104mm) from the bottom of the 33.5in (847mm) long piece.
3     Drill and countersink one hole where each horizontal piece overlaps with the vertical piece.
3     Drill and countersink one hole where each horizontal piece overlaps with the vertical piece.
4     Twist a screw into the holes to join the two horizontal pieces to the vertical one.
4     Twist a screw into the holes to join the two horizontal pieces to the vertical one.
5     Position one 18in (460mm) long piece under both horizontal pieces. Use the end of a spare piece as a spacer, and drill + screw the 18in (460mm) long piece to the 18.5in (470mm) long piece. Make right angles between all 4 overlapping pieces, and add one more screw to complete the square. Place and screw a 21in (538mm) long diagonal piece for stability.
5     Position one 18in (460mm) long piece under both horizontal pieces. Use the end of a spare piece as a spacer, and drill + screw the 18in (460mm) long piece to the 18.5in (470mm) long piece. Make right angles between all 4 overlapping pieces, and add one more screw to complete the square. Place and screw a 21in (538mm) long diagonal piece for stability.
6     Repeat a similar process as in steps 2-5, making a structure almost mirroring the one made in steps 2-5 (the diagonal piece placement is not mirrored).
6     Repeat a similar process as in steps 2-5, making a structure almost mirroring the one made in steps 2-5 (the diagonal piece placement is not mirrored).
7     Leaving 1 width of wood space on either side of the frame, position a 15in (380mm) long piece 4.5in (116mm) from the top of the frame. Secure in place by drilling two holes and adding two screws.
7     Leaving 1 width of wood space on either side of the frame, position a 15in (380mm) long piece 4.5in (116mm) from the top of the frame. Secure in place by drilling two holes and adding two screws.
8     Place another 15in (380mm) long piece across both 18.5in (470mm) long pieces, and against the 33.5in (847mm) long pieces, flush with either side of the frame. Secure in place by drilling two holes and adding two screws.
8     Place another 15in (380mm) long piece across both 18.5in (470mm) long pieces, and against the 33.5in (847mm) long pieces, flush with either side of the frame. Secure in place by drilling two holes and adding two screws.
9     Place another 15in (380mm) long piece across both 18.5in (470mm) long pieces, and at the very front of the frame, flush with either side of the frame. Secure in place by drilling two holes and adding two screws.
9     Place another 15in (380mm) long piece across both 18.5in (470mm) long pieces, and at the very front of the frame, flush with either side of the frame. Secure in place by drilling two holes and adding two screws.
10     Place another 15in (380mm) long piece across both 18in (454mm) long pieces, and 3in (80mm) from the front of the frame, flush with either side of the frame. Secure in place by drilling two holes and adding two screws.
10     Place another 15in (380mm) long piece across both 18in (454mm) long pieces, and 3in (80mm) from the front of the frame, flush with either side of the frame. Secure in place by drilling two holes and adding two screws.
11     Place the 13.5in (340mm) long piece across both 33.5in (847mm) long pieces and 4in (104mm) from the bottom of the frame, flush with either side of the frame. Secure in place by drilling two holes and adding two screws.
11     Place the 13.5in (340mm) long piece across both 33.5in (847mm) long pieces and 4in (104mm) from the bottom of the frame, flush with either side of the frame. Secure in place by drilling two holes and adding two screws.
12     Place the 17.5in (440mm) long piece diagonally across both 33.5in (847mm) long pieces. Make sure the frame is straight on a flat surface. Secure in place by drilling two holes and adding two screws.
12     Place the 17.5in (440mm) long piece diagonally across both 33.5in (847mm) long pieces. Make sure the frame is straight on a flat surface. Secure in place by drilling two holes and adding two screws.
13     Place the 14in (350mm) long piece diagonally across both 18in (460mm) long pieces. Secure in place by drilling two holes and adding two screws.
13     Place the 14in (350mm) long piece diagonally across both 18in (460mm) long pieces. Secure in place by drilling two holes and adding two screws.
14     Measure and cut the following rectangles of 1/2in (12mm) thick plywood: 1 piece 18in x 15in (450mm x 380mm), 1 piece 10in x 15in (250mm x 380mm). Have these pre-cut at the store, if possible.
14     Measure and cut the following rectangles of 1/2in (12mm) thick plywood: 1 piece 18in x 15in (450mm x 380mm), 1 piece 10in x 15in (250mm x 380mm). Have these pre-cut at the store, if possible.
15     Place the 18in x 15in (450mm x 380mm) piece on the seat area and drill + screw it into place with 4 screws.
15     Place the 18in x 15in (450mm x 380mm) piece on the seat area and drill + screw it into place with 4 screws.
16     Place the 10in x 15in (250mm x 380mm) piece on the back rest area and drill + screw it into place on the 33.5in (847mm) long pieces with 2 screws.
16     Place the 10in x 15in (250mm x 380mm) piece on the back rest area and drill + screw it into place on the 33.5in (847mm) long pieces with 2 screws.
17     Not part of the original design: If you are using softwood that is relatively thin, you may need to reinforce the back area, so it doesn’t break under pressure. To avoid this, use softwood that is at least (34mm x 34mm), or use hardwood (like maple).
17     Not part of the original design: If you are using softwood that is relatively thin, you may need to reinforce the back area, so it doesn’t break under pressure. To avoid this, use softwood that is at least (34mm x 34mm), or use hardwood (like maple).
18     To make the seat have a nice angle, cut 3/4in (17mm) from the bottom of the back legs. Then fold a blanket to about 44in x 16in (1100mm x 400mm) and place it on the chair.
18     To make the seat have a nice angle, cut 3/4in (17mm) from the bottom of the back legs. Then fold a blanket to about 44in x 16in (1100mm x 400mm) and place it on the chair.
19     Wrap one side of your Hook and Loop (or Velcro), with the flat side exposed, around the top of the back rest twice.
19     Wrap one side of your Hook and Loop (or Velcro), with the flat side exposed, around the top of the back rest twice.
20     Pull tight, and insert a small piece of the opposite side of the Hook and Loop (or Velcro) underneath to secure.
20     Pull tight, and insert a small piece of the opposite side of the Hook and Loop (or Velcro) underneath to secure.
21     Repeat steps 19-20 to secure the rest of the blanket to the seat and the back rest.
21     Repeat steps 19-20 to secure the rest of the blanket to the seat and the back rest.
Index
Parts
Smooth Planed Pine Wood, 1in x 1in (34mm x 34mm)
*Any popular softwood can also be used, like Redwood. Metric measurements above are actual, not nominal, and availability may vary by location.
 
Quantity required: 2 pieces 32.5in (830mm) long, 2 pieces 18in (460mm) long, 2 pieces 18.5in (470mm) long, 2 pieces 18in (454mm) long, 2 pieces 21in (538mm) long, 4 pieces 15in (380mm) long, 1 pieces 13.5in (340mm) long, 1 pieces 17.5in (440mm) long, 1 pieces 14in (350mm) long
Plywood, 1/2in (12mm) thickness
 
Quantity required: 1 piece 18in x 15in (450mm x 380mm), 1 piece 10in x 15in (250mm x 380mm)
Flat Head Wood Screws, #6 x 1-1/2in (4 x 35mm)
 
Quantity required: 64
Towel or Blanket
 
Quantity required: 1
Hook and Loop (or Velcro), 1/2in (13mm) wide
Quantity required: 15ft (4.5m)
Tools
Hand Saw
Power Drill
Drill Bits
Ruler or Tape Measure
Screwdriver
Square (or flat object with 90 degree angle)
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