3Fold Desk From Formtank
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.12.08
The designers tell us that "Environmental Design is on Formtanks' agenda and we're looking towards a more sustainable approach to business. With this in mind the 2d3d Group attempts to produce "more from less" through a simple proposition; utilise a single sheet of steel in the most efficient way."
So they cut this intricate and stunning base out of a single sheet, which is then "then hand formed and immaculately finished by experienced engineers."
One can attack its enviro-cred by noting that it is made of probably 500 pounds of steel, but one can't deny that this kind of thinking leads to more efficient use of materials, is on the cutting edge of what we mean when we talk about downloadable designs or dematerialization of design. Watch the great animation at ::Formtank
When Ponoko outlets or stores like Unto this Last are in every community, this is the kind of product, designed internationally but produced locally, that will be part of our lives. via NotCot
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i would be scared those edges would cut me.
Hmmm.... But wouldn't a closed-loop materials-flow system be better in that one could re-use the "scrap" cut-aways from a previous manufacture to make new product? And why consider using a sheet of metal for only one product? If you were trying to maximize use, then one could conceivably use one piece to make parts for several different products, thus minimizing waste from any one product, while maximizing the potential of cross-product production...
But maybe I'm just hyped up on my morning cups of coffee... I have to admit that it is a pretty funky design.