SCHOOL PROJECT 2019
Trakk - Step Stool
Trakk is a step stool crafted from birch wood. It consists of three equal triangular surfaces that are rotated in different orientations, to create a stair-like pattern for ease of use. This also gives the step stool a slightly different appearance from every angle. The triangular surfaces are joined together through four cylindrical legs.
The whole step stool was crafted by hand from large boards of birch wood. Birch was chosen because it is a well suited material for furniture making, while also being in abundance in Norway; Only about 2,5 % of the annual growth is harvested.
Exploration with small cardboard models, arriving on a design with three triangular surfaces.
Trakk was made in the course Design in Wood, fourth year of industrial design, NTNU, Trondheim, 2019. The assignment was to design and build a step stool from wood, with emphasis on using joinery techniques learned in the course.
The triangular surfaces were cut from one large board, created by edge gluing four panels. The legs were first made square, then routed four times each with a quarter circle bit. The triangular boards are recessed into the legs, and an invisible dowel gives the joints extra strength.
The legs after being rounded and notched for the plates to fit inside.
A small hidden dowel makes the construction stonger.
In addition to clamps, straps helped when gluing all the parts together simultaneously.
Trakk looks different from all angles.
