All great design starts with a problem—and for students at GRPS Museum High School, that problem was right beneath them.
For years, students in the woodworking class endured uncomfortable workbench chairs with awkward geometry and painful pinch points. But thanks to a creative teacher, a dedicated group of students, and a grant from the Teacher Innovation Fund, that discomfort sparked a design revolution.
A Legacy of Design, Reimagined
Inspired by the iconic molded plywood furniture of Charles and Ray Eames, woodworking teacher Alexander Lawton challenged his students to rethink classroom seating. Lawton, who has a passion for both beautiful craftsmanship and functional design, guided 20 students through a hands-on journey that blended tradition with innovation.
Using simple materials—tubing, plywood, and even an old-school hand planer—the students began shaping their vision. But this wasn’t just about building furniture. It was about learning to solve real-world problems through design.
From Skateboards to Seating
The project began in the school’s CAD class, where students first experimented with shaping longboards using vacuum bags to form complex curves. This hands-on experience laid the groundwork for their next challenge: furniture design.
Over two months, students immersed themselves in 3D modeling software, learning to translate digital concepts into tangible solutions. Their mission? To create ergonomic, comfortable seating that would transform their own classroom experience.
Prototypes with Purpose
Working in teams, the students designed and built five prototypes. Each chair was a product of collaboration, creativity, and countless hours of sanding, shaping, and refining.
“It was fun sanding and finishing the cuts with woodworking tools,” said Evan Peterson, a 10th grader involved in the project.
Sebastian, another student, was surprised by the results: “It was unsuspecting for a chair—wow, it’s comfortable!”
A Classroom Transformed
The final pieces weren’t just functional—they were beautiful. And more importantly, they were a testament to what students can achieve when given the tools, time, and trust to solve problems that matter to them.
Lawton couldn’t be prouder. “I’m proud of all the work and level of quality my students have created,” he said.
From hard seats to smart solutions, these students didn’t just build better chairs—they built a better way to learn.
