RARA : Rover chairs : an adventure in adhocism : an exegesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Design at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract

This practice based research explores the nature of opportunity availed by an adhocist strategy employed in seating design. It is inspired and sustained through a focus and reflection on Ron Arad’s Rover Chair, 1981. Characteristics of adhochism such as opportunity, heterogeneity and value are unpacked through case studies. Seating concepts developed through research practice are examined. RARA (Ron Arad: Rod Adank) incorporates the appropriation of design and cultural references as a part of a hybridization strategy. It considers the role of immersive experience, physicality and affective design in the development of a body of work tethered to a design precedent. It postulates that by pursuing the pleasure of design through a practice of playfulness, humour, irony and compulsiveness, diverse and creative solutions to seating may be found.