DESIGN & COMPOSITES

Libreria G-Light x Slam Jam 

La fibra di vetro è un materiale composto da filamenti sottili e resistenti, che viene utilizzato comunemente in vari settori per la produzione di oggetti ed elementi resistenti e durevoli. Il plexiglass, invece, è un materiale polimerico trasparente, simile al vetro ma con maggiore flessibilità e resistenza.

L'utilizzo combinato di questi due materiali, unito all'impiego di sistemi di illuminazione LED, ha portato alla creazione del G-Light, un materiale innovativo ideale per l'arredamento di negozi e showroom.

Grazie alla leggerezza della fibra di vetro, è possibile costruire strutture personalizzate che si adattano alle esigenze specifiche di ogni ambiente. La resistenza alla trazione, alla corrosione e la stabilità termica della fibra di vetro assicurano una maggiore durata e affidabilità del prodotto finale.

L'aggiunta del plexiglass alla fibra di vetro consente di ottenere una superficie trasparente, che rende possibile l'illuminazione interna del materiale attraverso l'uso di LED. Questo aspetto è particolarmente indicato per l'arredamento di negozi e showroom, in cui la visibilità dei prodotti e l'effetto scenografico attirano l'attenzione e la curiosità dei clienti.

Il materiale composto da fibra di vetro e plexiglass può essere utilizzato per la creazione di pareti divisorie, espositori, scaffali e arredi di vario tipo. Grazie alla versatilità del materiale, è possibile personalizzare l'illuminazione a LED in base alle esigenze specifiche di ogni ambiente, ottenendo un effetto luminoso delicato ma allo stesso tempo funzionale e coinvolgente.

La fusione tra materiale composito e polimerico permette al G-Light di essere considerato un materiale ecologico, in quanto la durata della vita del prodotto è molto più lunga rispetto a quella di altri materiali simili spesso utilizzati per questo tipo di applicazioni.

Bcomp has collaborated with Italdesign to bring to life the new Quintessenza™, the innovative all-electric concept car unveiled at Auto China 2024 in Beijing

Reflecting the harmonious relationship between nature and technology, the all-electric Quintessenza™ offers a unique and visionary blend of the functionality of a load-bearing pick-up and the dynamism of a GT-inspired family sports vehicle. The architectural concept breaks new ground in the automotive industry, as does its focus on the use of sustainable materials and finishes with the integration of Bcomp’s natural fibre composites across both its interior finishes and exterior body parts.

The Quintessenza™ is the world’s first vehicle to feature black-tinted NF (natural fibre) as a visual layer, showcasing Bcomp’s commitment to innovation. The interior design includes a foundational layer of ampliTex™ biaxial fabric combined with a layer of black-tinted NF. This advanced natural fibre composite, developed through a customised process that infuses the ampliTex™ fabric with a custom black resin, not only offers a durable and visually appealing surface finish but also facilitates the recycling process through its monomaterial composition. Implemented across the seat backrests, backseat panels and door panel inserts, this dual-layered approach enhances the vehicle aesthetically while also establishing new benchmarks in sustainable automotive design.

The Italdesign CMF (Colour, Materials, Finish) team selected these materials not just for their functional benefits but also for their superior aesthetic qualities. They carefully considered the visual, tactile, and environmental impact of each material choice, ensuring that each component of the Quintessenza™ not only meets but exceeds the standards of luxury and sustainability.

“The collaboration with Italdesign represents a pivotal milestone in automotive engineering and design, where CMF excellence takes center stage,” said Nicolas Samson, Senior Sales Manager Automotive Interior, of Bcomp. “Our shared commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge technology has culminated in the Quintessenza™, a vehicle that not only promises next-level performance but also offers a driving experience that feels in tune with nature, all while showcasing the unparalleled aesthetic qualities of our natural fibre-based materials.“

“The collaboration with Bcomp has been a significant achievement for Italdesign in declaring to the world our company’s interest in reaching cutting-edge sustainable goals through an experiential journey in contact with nature”, said Giorgia De Silva, Italdesign Interior Design and CMF Designer Specialist, “In this context, natural fibre plays a crucial role, not only as a visual choice but also, and most importantly, because it drastically reduces the environmental impact. In my personal experience with Bcomp, I have come to know a cohesive team always willing to explore new aesthetic and technical avenues to advance the path of sustainable material innovation in the automotive world.“

BCOMP Link

ITALDESIGN

British designer Terence Woodgate has created a collection of carbon-fibre furniture for Carpenters Workshop Gallery, featuring super-slim forms that lend the pieces a lightweight appearance.

The project, titled Lightness of Form, comprises a table, desk, chaise longue, chair and a cabinet that is still in development, all made using a recycled fibreglass material.

Woodgate developed the pieces in collaboration with engineer John Barnard, who designed the first carbon-fibre Formula 1 car and served as technical director for the McLaren and Ferrari F1 teams.

The pair met in 2006 at the Royal Society of Arts, where they were both elected Royal Designers for Industry. Woodgate was organising a series of talks to celebrate various design disciplines and was intrigued by the potential applications of materials used in motor racing.

The two designers subsequently worked together to create the Surface Table for British brand Established & Sons, which launched in 2008 and provided a jumping-off point for this latest project.

The collection developed for Carpenters Workshop Gallery utilises the latest Formula 1-grade carbon fibre and tooling to produce a series of pieces that balance sculptural aesthetics with practical ergonomics.

An updated version of the table, called the Aero Leg Table, features a 3.6-metre-long surface supported at its four corners by slender legs. The tabletop tapers to a thickness of just a few millimetres, and is lacquered underneath to enhance the illusion that the surface is floating above the ground.

The table's legs also contribute to the lightweight aesthetic. Their teardrop-shaped profile was informed by Barnard's pioneering use of flexure-pivot wishbones in the suspension design of F1 cars.

Woodgate told Dezeen that the project utilises the incredible strength-to-weight ratio of carbon fibre to produce visually minimal objects informed by the work of artists and architects such as Eduardo Chillida, Tadao Ando and Luis Barragán.

He added that this pursuit of aesthetic purity and structural reductivism required strong cooperation between the designer, the engineer and the specialist fabricators.

"I'm more interested in subtraction than addition, and when you take things away, it makes the pieces rather complicated to produce," he explained.

"In the case of these objects, there are no beams or extrusions hiding inside. The carbon fibre itself is the structure, so everything is exposed and the pieces therefore require exceptional craftsmanship."

The works were made using a recycled carbon fibre that displays a flecked surface finish. Unlike the standard carbon fibre used for the original Surface Table, this material is more robust and doesn't require lacquering.

Woodgate said that the discovery of this material opened up new possibilities and provides an aesthetic detail that he prefers to normal carbon fibre.

"Sometimes when you use a recycled material, there's a compromise," he pointed out. "It often doesn't look as good as the original virgin material, but in this case, I think it looks better."

Alongside the table, Woodgate created a desk that he said was inspired by an isometric drawing by American artist Sol LeWitt.

From one side, its desktop appears to be a simple planar surface, while the opposite side features a vertical surface that discreetly incorporates a pair of drawers.

"The idea was to have this horizontal plane simply supported by two vertical planes," said Woodgate.

"It almost looks impossible," he added, "because as you walk towards it, all you see is this very thin edge. The wedge shapes distort the sense of perspective while ensuring it has the necessary strength."

The collection also includes a chair informed by American artist Donald Judd's minimalist furniture, as well as an organically shaped chaise longue featuring a magnetically mounted headrest.

Woodgate explained that both of the seating designs take advantage of carbon fibre's ability to flex and therefore provide improved comfort for the sitter.

He added that the opportunity to work on pieces for a gallery allowed him to adopt a more experimental approach than would be the case if he were designing for mass production.

"With a project like this, there is a budget, of course, but it's more like Formula 1 where you're able to try different things and push the envelope a bit," he explained.

"Carbon fibre is fascinating to work with and this collection really tries to explore the ideas of space, movement and minimalism that the material facilitates."

The pieces were presented at Carpenters Workshop Gallery to coincide with London Design Festival 2025, with the exhibition extending until 1 November.

Woodgate was named a Royal Designer for Industry in 2003 and has designed products for numerous brands, including a floor lamp with a rounded glass shade for Case Furniture.

London Design Festival concluded on 21 September. To wrap up the event, the Dezeen team curated their favourite products from the city-wide event.

The AU project leverages the benefits of additive manufacturing , (AM), computational design and the use of composite materials to drive innovation in the medical and healthcare sector. By integrating these advanced technologies, AU aims to:

Optimize pressure distribution and comfort using personalized pressure mapping data.

Reduce weight, product size, and part count, enhancing ergonomics and usability.

Ensure more effective cooling and breathability.

Extend product longevity, performance, and customizability.

Introduce cutting-edge aesthetics to help combat stigma.

Improve sustainability by prioritizing additive over traditional subtractive manufacturing processes.

Una delle espressioni più alte della cantieristica marchigiana, nato a fano nei nuovi cantieri WIDER, il WILDERCAT 92 è un’opera di design incredibile che ci fa sognare di navigare in un mare blu profondo, senza confini, nel rispetto dell' ambiente, grazie alla sua avanzata propulsione ibrida all' avanguardia.

La sua anima sostenibile si riflette nei pannelli solari integrati, che catturano l’energia del sole per alimentare i sistemi di bordo e ridurre l’impatto ambientale.

Realizzato in vetroresina in infusione, il catamarano unisce leggerezza e resistenza, mentre elementi in fibra di carbonio, come i portelloni e la sovrastruttura, ne esaltano le prestazioni e il design. Più di un semplice catamarano, è un’esperienza di libertà assoluta, dove sostenibilità e performance si fondono in un equilibrio perfetto.

Le sue linee fluide e futuristiche sembrano scolpite dal vento, mentre gli spazi generosi e la tecnologia avanzata trasformano ogni viaggio in un racconto di armonia tra uomo e natura.

Il Widercat non è solo il catamarano del futuro : è il sogno di chi guarda oltre e avanti, e di chi naviga con il cuore aperto come il mare.

MITE / MITE ANNIVERSARY - Marc Sadler For FOSCARINI

Designed by Marc Sadler for FOSCARINI, Mite is a floor lamp made of fiberglass fabric with Kevlar or carbonium thread, nickel-plated metal and steel Kevlar is a Dupont registered trademark.‎

The Mite floor lamp boasts significant dimensions and a seductive, slender design, made with an innovative mix of fibreglass and carbon thread or Kevlar®.‎ Winner of the ADI Compasso d’Oro design award, this lamp guarantees excellent lighting, projecting an intense and warm beam towards the ceiling.‎

Aquabionic by Cetatek

Divers and snorkelers may be interested in a new modular diving fin binding system which has been created by Cetatek. Allowing you to quickly and easily attach fins to custom made aquatic hybrid shoes. Watch the demonstration video below to learn more about the modular fin system that uses ski binding technology to provide divers with an easy-to-use way of wearing and removing diving fins.

If you have always found putting your diving or snorkelling fins on a chore, the new aquabionic abs system might be the perfect alternative. “Walking around in diving boots with no real foot support has never been an ideal situation for any aquatic sport enthusiast, and it shouldn’t have to be. Comfortably navigate any terrain with the aquatic hybrid shoes, then easily clip on your choice of interchangeable fin blades and you’re ready to explore the ocean like never before. Diving and snorkeling never felt more natural.”

The aquabionic abs modular diving fin system has this week launched via Kickstarter to raise the £35,000 required to take the concept into production. Pledges are available from approximately £138 or CAD$252, with shipping expected to take place during November 2018. For more information full specifications jump over to the official crowdfunding campaign page by following the link below.

Marc Newson $300,000 + Carbon Fiber Black Hole Table

Successful industrial designer, Marc Newson, originally designed an early production of the 100% carbon fiber black hole table back in 1988, but it didn’t live up to his standards.  Finally in 2006, Marc was able to perfect the design and manufacturing process, and created ten tables.

The table has an interesting design, making use of solely three legs, and a triangular shape on top.  Being all one piece, you can see why the manufacturing process must have been so difficult to perfect.

When the tables have gone up for auction, they are usually estimated to sell for a whopping $200,000-$400,000.  In June of 2007, the first edition (1/10) was sold for $370,000.  The most recently sold table (4/10) went on auction  and was estimated to pull in somewhere between $200,000-$300,000, but ended up selling for $150,000 (plus a 22.5% premium).  All of the tables are signed by the artist.

Link Chair : http://marc-newson.com/carbon-fiber-chair/ 

Imbarcazione a remi, monoscocca in fibra di carbonio intrecciata con fili di rame. A prua la canoa è dotata di due gavoni ed a poppa lo scolo per l'acqua diventa la sede dei remi quando non sono in uso. Una volta riposti i remi completano il profilo della barca conferendole un aspetto dinamico. Progetto realizzato in collaborazione con Carbonovus e Santa Maria Magnolfi

Con il nuovo ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion 2014-15 costruito presso l’Università di Stoccarda l’Institute for Computational Design (ICD) e l’Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE) continuano la loro serie di padiglioni di ricerca, che esplorano le potenzialità applicative di processi innovativi di progettazione, simulazione e fabbricazione computazionale in architettura.

Il padiglione è stato sviluppato grazie alla collaborazione dei due istituti nel contesto del programma interdisciplinare e internazionale ITECH MSc. Questo progetto è il risultato di un anno e mezzo di sviluppo da parte di ricercatori e studenti di architettura, ingegneria e scienze naturali.

ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion 2014-15, Stoccarda. Photo © ICD/ITKE

Il cncept è basato sullo studio dei processi di costruzione biologici per le strutture fibrorinforzate. Questi processi sono rilevanti per le applicazioni in architettura, in quanto non richiedono casseforme complesse e sono in grado di adattarsi alle diverse esigenze delle singole costruzioni.

I processi biologici formano strutture fibrorinforzate personalizzate in modo altamente efficaci dal punto di vista del materiale e funzionale. In questo senso il processo di costruzione del ragno palombaro, (Argyroneta aquatica) ha dimostrato di essere di particolare interesse. Così è stato esaminato il processo di costruzione del nido di questi animali, analizzando i modelli comportamentali e le regole di progettazione e trasferendoli in un processo di fabbricazione tecnologica.

World’s Largest Carbon Composites Superyacht Launched

Palmer Johnson has launched the world’s largest carbon composites superyacht, the 48M SuperSport. The 150-feet yacht’s hull and superstructure, built by Norwegian sub-contractor Brødrene, are made from carbon composites.

The composite hull design keeps the focus on performance and fuel savings. “[Composites] help us reduce the structural weight by two thirds. So it’s a third of what a conventional hull would weigh. That helps us reduce the power needed to push it through the water,” says Berkeley March, head of design at Palmer Johnson.

The result is a ship built for speed that can reach up to 32 knots (36 mph) with 50 percent greater fuel efficiency than similar yachts. The hull design also supports an 11 meter (36 feet) beam, which allows for greater stability and 30 percent more interior living space than previous builds.

The ship has three decks with room for 12 passengers and nine crew. The wave-piercing bow reduces slamming and pitching in head seas at high speeds.

http://www.palmerjohnson.com

Dovrebbe essere pronto per la fine di quest’anno il grande quartier generale della Apple a Cupertino, un’area immensa che si può vedere grazie al video dal regista Duncan Sinfield effettuato con l’uso di un drone.

Il campus è stato progettato dall’architetto Norman Foster ed è costato intorno ai 5 miliardi di dollari. Nel video si vede bene la struttura  composta da un edificio circolare in vetro della lunghezza di quasi 60 chilometri che sarà  ricoperto da oltre 3000 pannelli solari. La settimana scorsa  la società californiana ha condiviso con Mashable alcune immagini impressionanti che mostrano la realizzazione di quello che sarà auditorium Apple, sede delle future presentazioni di prodotti all’interno del campus.

L’auditorum sotterraneo sarà in grado di ospitare 1.000 persone e avrà una vista a 360° su tutto il Campus. Il tetto, come da immagini, ha un peso di 80 tonnellate. Apple lo ha definito come il più grande tetto auto-portante in fibra di carbonio mai realizzato prima.

Ross Lovegrove - Sinuously moulds carbon fiber MOOT chair

La cucina Sheer di Gatto Cucine è senz'altro una delle più inusuali sup mercato, non solo per le linee sferiche dell'isola che tanto fecero scalpore al momento della presentazione, avvenuta oramai diversi anni fa, ma anche per il materiale utilizzato, ovvero la fibra di carbonio. Un materiale moderno e tecnologico, usato per le vetture di Formula Uno, le moto del Motomondiale e le barche più affascinanti, capace di evocare un senso di innovazione e di leggerezza certo non comuni in una cucina. Le linee, dicevamo, si incentrano sull'isola rotonda o meglio dalle forme sferiche, con la semisfera inferiore rappresentata dal piano, che include il lavello ed il piano cottura, e quella superiore che si apre elettricamente e si chiude quando non serve, che contiene la cappa aspirante e tutta l'illuminazione.

"Forget the conventional, ignore the standard and together we will change perceptions"

Rather than let a spinal injury stop him from achieving his dreams, Andrew Slorance used it to completely redesign the look and function of the wheelchair.

For Andrew, he decided to design a wheelchair that’s not only practical, but is equally focused on design. “I felt that wheelchairs were horrible medical devices, and couldn’t understand why companies didn’t advance their wheelchairs in the same way bike companies did with their products. By the time I was sixteen I had decided that one day I would re–invent the wheelchair.”

Six years later, he created the Carbon Black, a clean and stylish wheelchair that’s also minimalist and lightweight. Made out of carbon fiber, the chair was made with the motto “more person, less chair.”

The Carbon Black is a bespoke, monocoque based design that makes the life of a user easier. It doesn’t have a separate frame – rather, the seat is a key part of the wheelchair, making it stronger and stiffer with less components. The result is a sleek, sexy wheelchair that’s both functional and good looking.