Frame and Form

At first glance, this chair may seem out of a science fiction film, but in reality it is a real design inspired by the work of the teacher Antoni Gaudí. The chair and stool, designed by Dutchman Bram Geenen, use the same structural design methodology used by Gaudí in 1900, hanging chain models that reproduce the most effective geometries arches, vaults and domes… The catenary curve.

When a chain hanging from two points describes a curve shaped by the force of gravity, this is catenary, the curve that best withstand the stress of hanging chain. When we invest this curve we get the perfect geometry to resist compression weight by, in other words the most efficient bow. Gaudí used this powerful idea to design their churches and today employs Geena furniture to provide an elegant structural performance. Under these lines, an interesting video on the process of design and use of the techniques of Gaudí.

the gaudi stool and Gaudi Chair are composed of two materials, carbon fiber and nylon. First, the substructure is manufactured by white nylon selective laser sintering (selective laser sintering) which allows ‘3D printing’ complex direct digital model, what is known as ‘rapid prototying‘. It then applies ‘skin’ carbon fiber that creates a picture taken with the geometry of the catenary curve models. The thin layer is responsible for transmitting the user charges to work effectively under compression while the substructure nylon handles provide the necessary resistance to bending and avoid buckling Blade. This small object hosts a wealth of structural knowledge that allows it to meet their aesthetic functions and resilient with only 1000 grams.

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In this link you can experience real-time 3D models and model strings yourself the Gaudi Chair. (Design Explorer)