Exploring new materials
Implementation of new materials in existing product design was the name of the Master's Thesis in which The Wooden Chariot was developed. Driven by a passion for sustainability and materials, the project explored wood as a substitute to conventional materials
The Project & The Result
In collaboration with Thule, my thesis partner and I explored how wood could be implemented within a company that traditionally works with plastic and metal. Using the Thule Chariot Sport 2 Single as our canvas, we approached the challenge with both the product and the organization in mind.
The project resulted in a fully functional prototype, where the original aluminum frame was replaced with birch plywood, and the joint design was reworked to better suit the new material’s characteristics.
The thesis also provided insights into how such an implementation could take shape within an industrial context. Outlining what would be required for a smooth transition toward renewable materials.
Approach & Learnings
The project was carried out through three design sprints, each with its own focus area, Material Selection, Construction, and Appearance. With every sprint building on the results of the one before.
Conducting the Master’s Thesis at a producing company with strong experience in R&D provided valuable insight into the scope and depth of a real development process. It highlighted the balance between creativity, practicality, and production reality that drives successful design work.
Throughout the project, the use of material-driven design played a key role. Letting the properties and possibilities of wood guide the process opened up new ways of thinking. Where material, form, and function evolved together rather than separately.
