Elasti-ply
At the beginning of the semester, we conducted extensive research and presentations, which helped me define my design direction: “controllable destruction.” This concept was inspired by the properties of Grada, a composite material composed of multiple layers of veneer. When bent, the material may crack if handled carelessly, but this behavior sparked an idea—could I use this to create an elastic structure that exhibits a “jumping” effect? Thus, my experimentation began.
I developed the elastic structure using a “two-time heating” method. First, the material is heated at 140°C for 10 minutes in the oven, then placed on a positive mold and pressed. The greater the curvature of the mold, the more the veneers shift, enhancing the jumping effect. After the first heating, the ends of the bent material are fixed to prevent further displacement between the veneers. Finally, the material is reheated at 140°C for an additional 7 minutes, after which the middle part is separated. Each two layers of veneer act as a unit, with fibers aligned in two directions.
For application, I designed an outdoor chair and a wall module. The elastic structure is particularly engaging as a backrest, allowing users to interact and play with it, bringing a dynamic experience to the design.
