Based on that piece of wood set into the rear of the seat, it does not look like the maker understood wood at all. It is on account of that piece of wood that the seat has split down the middle.
I wouldn't even say student, as that would suggest a teacher. And one would hope the teacher would have stopped this practice before any cherry was wasted upon it.
It was the '70's, man. Teachers were hands-off in a lot of cases. Wouldn't want to suppress anybody's individual creativity by saying no, you know. That would send, like, negative vibes.
Anyway, dig that leg/base rig with a central rocker rail (?) No wonder the seat is so deeply sculpted. It has to be to keep the sitter in it!
Before 3D computer modeling, architecture schools include furniture making /woodworking as part of the program to learn and develop skills, understanding different materials and how things are put together using both hand and power tools. Some are more successful than others. Model making was part of the design process not just to make pretty display objects.
This chair could be an example of that, most studio made furniture will probably be branded by the maker.
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