Section 001
A collaboration between industrial design and architecture focused on local manufacturing and materials.
Departing from previous classes' focus on aesthetics and branding, this year’s studio revolved around cohesion of ethos and creating home goods and furniture that exemplify the materials, processes, and capabilities of the greater Cincinnati area.
Nine Cincinnati area companies, ranging from a mom & pop sawmill to a century-old bell foundry, partnered with our studio and offered their capabilities for each of our pieces.
Our team partnered with Cincinnati, Inc.: a heavy machinery and custom part manufacturer with press breaks, laser cutters, and 3D printers at their disposal. We set out to take advantage of their capabilities—especially 3D printing—to manufacture complex objects.
The most interesting aspects of additive manufacturing (and our guiding principles for this project) are organic beauty in intentional failure, support structures created by slicer programs, and alien, optimized forms of generative design.
Using the above aspects as inspiration, the suite of products became a set of tables each characterizing one of these guiding principles and showcase the power of large scale additive manufacturing.
My focus was spent largely on the end table, drawing from the uncanny forms created by Autodesk’s then-nascent generative software.
By creating and executing hundreds of combinations of load cases, geometry, and methods of manufacturing, a base for the end table was produced. The model was then edited to reach a certain level of aesthetics and manufacturability.
By creating and executing hundreds of combinations of load cases, geometry, and methods of manufacturing, a base for the end table was produced. The model was then edited to reach a certain level of aesthetics and manufacturability.
Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel:
Utilizing Cincinnati, Inc.'s press breaks, the table tops are made of bent steel sheets. To prevent rust, they were galvanized, achieving a beautiful finish that embodies CI's industrial processes.
Fiberglass-Reinforced ABS:
The bases of the tables were printed using Cincinnati, Inc.'s fiberglass-infused ABS. The subtle off-white color showcases the strange texture and forms of the tables without distracting.
Standard hex bolts fasten the tabletops to their bases as homage to Cincinnati, Inc.'s industrial origins and output. The zinc-plated joinery blends with the table tops while subtly breaking the otherwise flat surface.
Each Section 001 product was assigned a serial code reflecting the year, partner company, and distinction within its family. Further representing CI's capabilities, our serial codes are finely laser cut into the steel table tops.