NOWlab creates 100% recyclable, biodegradable glacier table and stool

within the depths of alaska’s mendenhall glacier, flowing water rolls gently over the barren ground. as temperature rises from the surface, it impacts the glacier roof, causing surreal, spontaneous cave structures. the interior is a microcosm, representing the infinitely turning water-cycle. though beautiful, the phenomenon is a troubling reminder that day by day, the glacier is slowly fading away to nothingness.

mendenhall glacier, alaska, USA 
image courtesy of atlasobscura | all images courtesy of NOWlab

in 1942, the juneau icefield research program began monitoring the numerous glaciers surrounding the city; including mendenhall. sixteen years later, in 1958, the mass was recorded as having lost 1.75 miles (2.82km). while that might not seem that bad, estimates believe that the glacier had receded only 2.5 miles (4km) in the preceding 458 years — around 1500. 

underside of ‘glacier’

after becoming familiar with the world altering issue of glacial melting, NOWlab started what has become an on-going research project to investigate natural processes, their applications in design, and how gained knowledge can be used to form products as optimally as possible. ‘glacier’ is a 100% recyclable and biodegradable sculptural stool/table, that emphasizes a new school of thought, development, and construction.

the object can be used as a table, stool, or sculptural piece

‘glacier’ has an integrated three-dimensional periodic microstructure, which provides maximum structural performance without burdening the object with weight. the configuration was created through computer-based simulations able to detect the location of peak stress points and actively adapt the geometry in response. the object is produced in cooperation with bigrep and their ONE.2 machine, which is capable of printing at a scale of up to 1m³.

‘glacier’ is fully recyclable/bio-degradable 

detail 

the internal structure is optimized to deal with any potential stresses 

‘glacier’ is extremely light 

the table is produced by NOWlab in cooperation with bigrep 

each ‘glacier’ is created with an additive 3D printing process 

glacier production 

the ONE.2 printer has a capacity of up to 1m³

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.

edited by: nick brink | designboom