A wide shot of a ceramics studio, featuring students working with pottery wheels and other tools.

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Lee Weitzman

Lecturer

Contact

Bio

Instructor, Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects (2008). BS, 1975, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI; BS, 1979, Western Michigan University; MFA, 1981, University of Illinois at Chicago. Concurrent Position: President, Design Director, Lee Weitzman Furniture. Exhibitions: NeoCon, Chicago; Sculptural Objects Functional Art, Chicago; Chicago Furniture Designers Association, Chicago; Hokin/ Kaufman Gallery, Chicago; Milwaukee Museum of Art, Milwaukee, WI. Awards: Architectural Society of Interior Designers, Illinois Design Excellence Awards; NeoCon Spec Awards; Smithsonian/Washington Craft Show Award for Excellence; State of Illinois Governor James Thompson Purchase Award.

 

Courses

Title Department Catalog Term

Description

This digital-analog studio affords modeling and prototyping for furniture and other objects at environmental scale. Students construct prototype objects for living while learning a diverse range of technical and process options for making at scale in materials including wood, metals, plastics, fabrics and foams. Focus on fluid improvisation in prototyping designs both by hand and using CNC and other integrated fabrications technologies.

The course explores the systems work of Enzo Mari and Gerrit Rietveld to understand simple construction and scaffold mechanisms for creating quick prototypes. We watch an array of craft and wood engineering videos to understand manufacturing and fabrication techniques, and how prototyping takes place in furniture businesses.

There are three major assignments, each yielding a unique piece of furniture. Naturally, the scope and scale of the projects increase as the semester moves forward. Additionally the course includes two day-long charettes to deliver specific skills and two field trips, to a furniture manufacturer and to a furniture show room.

Class Number

1276

Credits

3

Description

This digital-analog studio affords modeling and prototyping for furniture and other objects at environmental scale. Students construct prototype objects for living while learning a diverse range of technical and process options for making at scale in materials including wood, metals, plastics, fabrics and foams. Focus on fluid improvisation in prototyping designs both by hand and using CNC and other integrated fabrications technologies.

The course explores the systems work of Enzo Mari and Gerrit Rietveld to understand simple construction and scaffold mechanisms for creating quick prototypes. We watch an array of craft and wood engineering videos to understand manufacturing and fabrication techniques, and how prototyping takes place in furniture businesses.

There are three major assignments, each yielding a unique piece of furniture. Naturally, the scope and scale of the projects increase as the semester moves forward. Additionally the course includes two day-long charettes to deliver specific skills and two field trips, to a furniture manufacturer and to a furniture show room.

Class Number

1306

Credits

3