Skip to main content
Photo by Ronald Smits
Graduation project

Local Optimum

Nando Dolleman

"I design the frame, but nature designs the shape."

WHAT Chairs inspired by the principle of ‘Minimal Surface Tension’ - letting the laws of nature govern the design. HOW By experimenting with small-scale models of metal frames in different shapes and dipping them in soapy water, Nando Dolleman discovered that physics fills in the rest, instantly creating surfaces spanning the gaps. Translating this principle to furniture design, he stretched textiles over large frames to create chairs. The same method can be applied to create endless variations. WHY You can get a computer to calculate all the angles and structures, or spend hours sketching the ideal lines, but why not leave some design decisions to natural forces?

Department

Activity

Degree

Bachelor

Graduation year

2018

Photoshoot

Ronald Smits