nervous system creates fossil puzzles built from sealife-shaped pieces

design studio nervous system has created a series of new spiral puzzles in the shape of ancient fossils. working from the inside-out, the puzzles are pieced together in a swooping spiral to eventually form either an ammonite or a nautilus.

images courtesy of nervous system

‘ammonites are extinct cephalopods related to octopi and squid which roamed the seas from 200 million years ago to 66 million years ago,’ explains nervous system. ‘their fossils feature beautiful and intricate suture patterns where the walls of their shell meet the outside. the branchy shapes of the pieces are based on these patterns.’

meanwhile, nautiluses are cephalopods similarly related to octopi and squid that like the ammonite become larger and larger to accommodate the growing creature it houses inside.

in addition to the branch-like pieces that make up the puzzles, each one contains special pieces in the shape of seahorses and octopi. each one is made-to-order in new york from laser-cut birch plywood and feature a photograph of each fossil, which is viewable once completed.

‘our plywood puzzles combine the artistry of classic jigsaws with the possibilities of new technology,’ the studio explains. ‘we use custom software inspired by natural patterns to grow the intertwining shapes of the puzzle pieces. the organic forms are cut from plywood by a laser, resulting in a uniquely challenging puzzle crafted from premium materials.’

nervous system is known for its generative design creating jewelry based on algorithmic structures of plants and algae. it has also developed a dress made from thousands of unique triangular panels that move like feathers.

project info

studio: nervous system
product: ammonite puzzle, nautilus puzzle
price: ammonite – $45, nautilus – $90