ross lovegrove has created ‘diatom’ for moroso. presented at the 2014 salone del mobile, the infinitely vertical stacking chair for indoor and outdoor use draws its formal qualities from nature, retaining simple geometries that are realized using complex production processes.
entirely computer generated, lovegrove has adopted technologies typically used in the automotive industry
(feruglio engineering) to envision ‘diatom’. each seating object is
developed through pressed hydroforming in which a die-cast aluminium
sheet is pressed into a three-dimensional shape – a marvel of structure
devised from exploring the rules of mathematics that dictate the
vegetative development of living organisms. the legs are punched of the
seat bowl itself and further welded to form tubular supports – a
juncture in which two techniques meld into a single piece. the use of
aluminium makes ‘diatom’ 100% reclcyable, while also ensuring that it
encompasses the lightest weight possible, eliminating the need for steel
while ensuring equivalent levels of performance.
from designboom