goegl uses parametrics + 3D printing for customizable cork eyewear

goegl uses parametrics + 3D printing for customizable cork eyewear
all images courtesy of adrian goegl

during his time as an optician, adrian goegl learned that the user of eyewear and therefore also their opticians are pursued by the following problems: a spectacles poorly distribute their weight on the nose, glasses easily slide down the face, and over fifty per cent of the cases that are delivered with the eyewear don’t properly contain their frames. in response, the swiss industrial designer made it the goal of his project ‘oak & dust’ to design glasses for production with generative manufacturing.

the process began with the creation of CAD models in rhino and an algorithmic modeling plug-in called grasshopper. within this parametric environment, a random shape (closed spline) can be formed into a three-dimensional representation of a eyewear model. in addition, the parameters (a.o. measurements, connecting elements, inclination, pupillary distance) can be changed randomly. these features are crucial to the work, as goegl understands the potential for their computing capabilities to expedite the process: ‘with this project I wanted to design a serious and useful concept which enables us to use 3D-printers directly at the point of sale in optical stores. the focus of my project was not how exactly the form of spectacle frames should be but rather how these frames can be designed, manufactured, and sold in the near future.’

all of the components laid out

cork was selected as the ideal ingredient to give the printed frames more ‘soul’. due to its physical characteristics, it can solve each of the problems goegl identified. hypothetically, as a customer’s nose is being scanned, it’s negative can simultaneously be milled out of a small piece of the material to ensure a precise fit. afterwards, the bridge component can be placed in the frame without any need for glue and easily changed if necessary. the bark’s porosity makes it lightweight, keeping any indentations from being pressed into the surface of the skin. at the same time, it creates friction to keep the lenses at eye level. its insulating and flexible properties protect the glasses from scratches, hits, and extreme temperatures. if computer models of each pair exists, then bespoke cases may be manufactured as well. the customer can choose a form which he or she likes, and their eyewear will fit perfectly to their specifications.

milling the case

cork nose bridge being milled

prototypes ready for coloring

color samples 

goegl explaining his concept to the press

goegl and his work

sunglasses in use

rendering of the bridge from the back

rendering from the front

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.