futuristic-natural fibres

unemotional
technical
sterile

Semantics & Material

The task was to develop a material with a futuristic look from natural fibers. Futuristic
was understood not only as a defined style, but as a material quality: bright, translucent, technical-looking.
Agar agar appeared promising because it is bio-based, can be poured into sheets and can create a high-tech appearance through its transparency and surface effects. Working with the material proved challenging as results were difficult to control and rarely reproducible. Ultimately, a translucent agar agar film with a technical looking structure turned out
to be doable.

Material driven design
In the next phase, the focus shifted to the material itself. The film is light, organic and translucent, scattering light in a very soft, atmospheric way. These properties determined how the material could be used. In line with material-driven design, the idea did not come before the material, but developed directly from its appearance and characteristics.

Product & Design

Based on the material properties
a luminaire was developed in which the light makes the material visible. Cut into strips, the foil hangs down and creates
a floating, calm impression. The associative concept took a back seat during the product phase, but was not completely
abandoned. The project combines organic materiality with a futuristic design language. A white octagonal construction
echoes futuristic design principles and forms a clear contrast to the natural materiality. Light serves less to illuminate than to make the material visible.