Furniture that assembles as if by magic has now been developed by researchers at the Institute for Computer-Based Design and Construction (ICD) at the University of Stuttgart, led by Prof. Achim Menges. They summarize the concept under the name HygroShape. In this case, it is not only the forces of form that are at work, but also the possibilities of digitization.
In their concept, researchers Dr. Dylan Wood and Laura Kiesewetter at the ICD benefit from the intrinsic property of wood: the cell walls expand when wet and contract when dry. This knowledge can be used to make specific changes in shape. Once the furniture has been shaped, the parts lock together mechanically, creating stability.
So far, the furniture produced - a lounge chair and a chaise longue - are one-offs. But with their company hylo-tech, the researchers want to test the marketability of the technology using a limited series. The project was supported by internal funding from the University of Stuttgart's Knowledge and Technology Fund as well as by Henkel AG, Schönweiler GmbH and Gettylab.
Source and further information: University of Stuttgart/icd.uni-stuttgart.de/en/projects/hygroshape/hylo.tech
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