Limited edition of 12
Coffee table, Aluminium, W56cm x L115cm x H48cm, 2007
In nature, bees are able to build lightweight, structurally optimised and extremely efficient beehives. This is through a natural process in which each chamber pushes against surrounding chambers, resulting in an optimal shape and position within the hive.
A similar process also occurs in cells. For example, in a human body, groups of cells push and pull against one another, eventually establishing equilibrium and creating an optimal structural form as a group. This process can also be found in other biological forms.
A self-form finding surface tension membrane study has been carried out for this project in order to generate an optimised and enclosed shell surface following building methods that can be found in nature. A structural analysis program was used to simulate and locate stress points in order to strengthen weaker areas. Similar design processes can also be found in nature where cells tend to cluster more in areas where there is a structural weakness and less so where it is not necessary.
