POLYCARB HOUSE °*
TEETER DOCK °*
LENTICULAR COLUMN °*
CLOSED LOOP °*
HYPAR CANOPY °
SHARED BEDS °*
MATERIAL MUSEUM °
SPLIT HOUSE °
DRAPED STONE °*
FLAT STAND °
TIP TAP °
ROCKER °
ARCADE °
TAUT °*
VEER °*
SLING °
ENFOLD °
THREE LEVEL HOUSE °
CHI-OSK °
FIBROUS TECTONICS °
ACTIVE COMPOSITES °
PETRO HOUSE °
BCL *Thermoformed Biocomposites
DATE2016-2017
LOCATIONHouston, TX
TYPEMaterial Research & Furniture
DESIGN LEADDavid Costanza
COLLABORATOR
Andrew Colopy (Cobalt Office)
DESIGN TEAMAnastasia Yee
Philip Niekamp
Ekin Erar
Samantha Schuermann
OVERVIEW
Veer investigates an innovative new biocomposite material, examining its formal and manufacturing limitations. The material research informed the design and production of a prototype chair, Veer. This new material, Resysta®, comprises approximately 60% agricultural waste and 40% PVC and provides the durability, formability, and strength of a fiber-reinforced plastic with a surface quality more akin to wood. The fibers suspended in the PVC matrix produce an orientation or grain to an otherwise homogenous material that contributes to its aesthetic and mechanical properties.
The biocomposite exhibits two distinct qualities: those of a synthetic material— in that it can be heated and formed and operates plastically—while simultaneously behaving in many ways like a natural material such as wood in that it has a grain and various limitations in the extent to which it can be formed before breaking or splintering. Veer emerged from the material research and served as a prototype, demonstrating the possibilities of this new biocomposite. The production of a chair allowed us to expand on the material research through both an aesthetic and structural lens.