Experiential learning

Students showcase handcrafted chairs in design-build course

handcrafted, upholstered accent chairs on display. There is a write up titled "the making of a chair" next to the display.
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Estimated Read Time:
1 minute

The Making of a Chair: Fundamentals of Craft and Furniture Production was an intensive 6-week summer design-build course where students explored the complete process of furniture creation—from initial design concepts to the construction of fully upholstered accent chairs.

Led by instructors Nicole Marion and Kellen Deighton, the course gave students—Brigette Pacholok, Jana Scheffler, Morgan Fraser, Paula Ceron, Nick Sagenes, and Quinn Kinahan—an opportunity to work hands-on in collaboration with leading Winnipeg furniture manufacturers: Palliser Furniture and EQ3.

Over several weeks, students engaged in the full cycle of furniture production, gaining insight into design development, ergonomics, material selection, upholstery and woodworking techniques. The course culminated in the fabrication of a functional chair.

A student uses a sander on a piece of wood.
Two people work on a wooden framework with metal springs in a workshop.
A student sanding down wood that will be part of a chair.
Fabricating the frames and wood designs for the chairs.

Partner collaboration and experiential learning

The success of the course was made possible through the generous support of Peter Tielmann , President and CEO at Palliser Furniture Ltd, Jim Hunt Chief Retail Officer EQ3/Palliser and through the direct collaboration with the Palliser R&D teams; including Nelson Travassos, David Sousa, Anthony Klassen, Jaclyn Hoffmann and many more. The Faculty of Architecture’s technical team—Shaylyn Plett, Shaun De Rooy, and Jon Watts also played a vital role, providing students with the technical expertise needed to bring their designs to life.

Two students hold stuffing that will be placed inside a completed chair.
A completed, upholstered chair displayed in front of a white backdrop for a showcasing photo.
A student taking a photo of a completed, upholstered chair on display in front of a white backdrop.
Fabricating and setting up for photos.
Students sit on their completed chairs on display at the EQ3 store.
Students sit on their completed chairs on display at the EQ3 store.
Students display their hand-crafted chairs.

The partnership and hands-on learning highlight the power of academic-industry collaboration and confirms FAUM’s commitment to experiential learning in architectural education.

This unique fusion of design and craftsmanship is on public display in a curated exhibition at EQ3 Store from June 19 to June 27, 2025. Visitors can view the innovative and skillfully crafted chairs, each a unique reflection of its designer’s aesthetic vision and newly honed craftsmanship.

By

Faculty of Architecture