biomimicry: 3D-printed soft seat by lilian van daal

biomimicry: 3D-printed soft seat by lilian van daal
all images courtesy of lilian van daal

‘biomimicry’ by lilian van daal is designed as an alternative to conventional soft seating, which requires several different materials and processes to create the frame, padding, and covers. this sequence of events is labor-intensive and involves extensive transport, cutting waste and environmentally-unfriendly techniques such as gluing. the final result is a product that cannot be recycled due to the fact that the various parts can no longer be separated.

the form is based on plant cells

van daal studied structures from nature that combine multiple qualities in a single form. after performing this research, she used 3D printing to imitate these geometries as freely as possible. by manipulating the constructions, she has succeeded in realizing not only the base framework but also micro and macro support, ventilation, and the skin of the product using just one substance. with the manner in which the final model was created, the chair cannot be manufactured using the current mass production methods.

structure detail

a series of prototype structures support by 3D systems benelux were printed from polyamide, but the designer is currently analyzing the potential of using organic ingredients that would be more sustainable. producing furniture using this process does not require the use of poisonous adhesives and could also reduce emissions from transportation. it offers possibilities for local production and recyclability. the concept was envisioned by van daal for the hague’s royal academy of art.

the mesh has been analyzed for optimum stability

flexibility created by the structure 

miniature stress test

construction experiment

the form has been imagined using 3D modeling software

formal prototype

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.