Children’s furniture, play and self-building: the legacy of Norman Cherner
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Abstract
This article analyzes the work of Norman Cherner as an integral architect-designer, focusing on his prototypes of children’s furniture and toys from the 1950s. It draws on his self-build manuals —"Make Your Own Modern Furniture" (1953), "How to Build Children’s Toys and Furniture" (1954), and "Fabricating Houses from Component Parts" (1957)— with particular emphasis on the one dedicated to children for its pedagogical and playful value. The study includes the analysis of his drawings and models, as well as the often-unrecognized role of his wife, Babe Cherner, in the creative process. The full-scale reconstruction of some of these children’s designs has made it possible to assess their relevance today and the technical challenges involved, especially for the users targeted by Cherner’s manuals.
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