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Aiming for lightness seems simple enough. Nevertheless
the consequences are complex and far reaching. Breaking with traditions
is a hassle. Having said that, thinking in light structures leads to intriguing
phenomena. Lightness is not the same to everyone. Designers and architects
look at it in a totally different way than engineers. The former let themselves
be inspired by the poetry of image, identity and the expression of lightness,
whereas the latter group considers function, underlying physical processes
and controlling them.
For lightweight structures the relationship of function and expression are essential. Simply put: expression that does not contribute to structure is ballast. On the other hand structure without expression is hardly capable of seducing towards application. Engineers and designers therefore will have to cooperate closely.
Development of lightweight structures starts with the intimate relationship between material, making process and concept. New materials are needed, new technologies and bonding methods, but also new ways to give expression to structures. Through applying of particularly fibre reinforced plastics, or composites - indispensable for lightness - other details emerge than we are currently used to. Moreover structures behave differently: they sound different, feel different. On top of that there are methods, though which composites offer different forms of decoration and different functional opportunities.
From that the question rises how you can make sure that lightness is accepted. As a rule renewal always starts with mimicking the familiar. Even in airplanes the shape of a metal part is copied precisely at the first instance when it is replaced with a composite one. Not smart, for they behave differently. Reverting to what is known is also common in design. The familiar can be put to tactical use.
The importance of familiarity cannot be underestimated. Lightness requires thinking in reverse: among architects and designers it is common practice to aesthetically 'enlighten' heavy objects, but now they need to provide light things with the pleasurable feel of the heavy. The question is how to make the added value of lightness convincing. That is why, apart from product and fashion designers, lay people will be involved in the work of Lightness Studios. In the end lightness is a very concrete theme. Results can be weighed.
For lightweight structures the relationship of function and expression are essential. Simply put: expression that does not contribute to structure is ballast. On the other hand structure without expression is hardly capable of seducing towards application. Engineers and designers therefore will have to cooperate closely.
Development of lightweight structures starts with the intimate relationship between material, making process and concept. New materials are needed, new technologies and bonding methods, but also new ways to give expression to structures. Through applying of particularly fibre reinforced plastics, or composites - indispensable for lightness - other details emerge than we are currently used to. Moreover structures behave differently: they sound different, feel different. On top of that there are methods, though which composites offer different forms of decoration and different functional opportunities.
From that the question rises how you can make sure that lightness is accepted. As a rule renewal always starts with mimicking the familiar. Even in airplanes the shape of a metal part is copied precisely at the first instance when it is replaced with a composite one. Not smart, for they behave differently. Reverting to what is known is also common in design. The familiar can be put to tactical use.
The importance of familiarity cannot be underestimated. Lightness requires thinking in reverse: among architects and designers it is common practice to aesthetically 'enlighten' heavy objects, but now they need to provide light things with the pleasurable feel of the heavy. The question is how to make the added value of lightness convincing. That is why, apart from product and fashion designers, lay people will be involved in the work of Lightness Studios. In the end lightness is a very concrete theme. Results can be weighed.
