Small Gradient Bench by Philipp Aduatz

Small Gradient bench by Philipp Aduatz Limited Edition of 50 Dimensions: 149 x 56 x 45 cm Materials: 3D printed concrete dyed, reinforced with steel The 3D printed gradient furniture collection is Philipp Aduatz latest project in the field of 3D concrete printing in collaboration with the Austrian manufacturer incremental3d. 3D concrete printing is a new and innovative fabrication technology that allows to print very large and complex structures in construction and design in a very short time period. The advantages are not only from ecological and economic reasons, no extensive mould production is necessary, but also from new aesthetic qualities. As part of a research project, incremental3d is currently exploring the dyeing of concrete. The strategy is to apply dye during the printing process directly into the nozzle and therefore reduce workload, waste and time delay. This allows a coloured design in concrete applied locally point by point and not globally, like it used to be before only possible. Incremental3d teamed up with designer Philipp Aduatz to further evolve its technology by the implementation of the developed research in product design. Together they developed a new collection of benches, a chair and a large vase. By the application of a gradient and the exploration of possible shapes through an interactive working method they developed an approach to exercise the design process throughout 3D concrete printing. Another challenge during the product development for this project was to develop a suitable reinforcement technology to provide the load capacity for the design language. Concrete is by its nature a material with very little tensile strength; therefore, it should be reinforced. In this case, a customized semi-automatic strategy was developed. The required payloads had been calculated, tested and proved by the high performance of steel. This was visually perfectly integrated into the design. An image gradient refers to the change of intensity of color within an image. In image processing, the gradient of an image is one of the fundamental building blocks. Designer statement about the gradient:” For many years, I have been obsessed by the concept of a gradient which reflects elegance and harmony to me. I believe that the gradient is, in regards to the perception of the environment and its digital reflection, a fundamental design principle. It has a mathematical aesthetic and precision that I have always been admiring. with this project I want to combine the design of the gradient with different functional objects by the use of innovative fabrication technologies.” Philipp Aduatz Vienna based Designer Philipp Aduatz (born 1982) creates limited edition functional objects that are highly sculptural in nature. Working with innovative materials and fabrication technologies, Aduatz is very much influenced by scientific matters such as chemistry, physics and material technologies. His process combines traditional craft concepts and techniques with cutting edge implements such as 3D printing, 3D laser scanning, CNC milling, and Rapid Prototyping. The experimentation with different materials and their behavior is an important part of his research at the intersection of design and sculpture. Greatly influenced by sculptors such as Constantin Brancusi and Tony Cragg, the designer aims to develop a distinct language of form in each of his pieces, encouraging a new discourse between the object and its user or viewer.