SHAPES OF SWEDEN
The project Shapes of Sweden was developed for the Volvo Design Challenge that Lilian won in 2015. For this challenge she dived into the Swedish environment and the brand proposition of Volvo. She merged the essences of these together with her biomimicry approach. After an extensive material research with several bio-materials she concluded with a 3D printed structure out of pine tree that serves some essential functions of a chair: flexibility, resilience and stability. In Sweden the pine woods providing this resource are available in abundance. Nature was also the source of the design: the structures were inspired on the roots of trees.
Recently Volvo cars launched the Living Sea Wall mimicking the root structure of native mangrove trees providing a habitat for marine life. Here you can find the Sea Wall project.
JURY COMMENT
‘Lilian van Daal was able to capture three topical developments in her Shapes of Sweden: biomimicry (an approach to innovation that seeks sustainable solutions to human challenges by emulating nature’s time-tested patterns and strategies), 3D printing and the use of natural materials. Not only does the concept have a clear vision on the future but also it shows its strong relation with the Volvo brand. Her work is innovatory, aesthetic and provides perspective for the industry.’
Jury members:
Niels van Eijk and Miriam van der Lubbe (designers Van Eijk & Van der Lubbe),
Edwin Jacobs (director of Centraal Museum Utrecht), Willem van Roosmalen (editor-in-chief/founder of Fontanel), Koert van Mensvoort (philosopher/artist/scientist Next Nature), Mirjam van Coillie (chairman of the Design Management Network) and Corien Pompe (Future Lab & Innovation, manager at Volvo Car Corporation).
Thanks to:
3D Systems Benelux
Yashwant Pathak
Photography:
Lisa Klappe