Shapes of sweden
Biomimicry car seat design for Volvo. Acquired for their private collection by the Centre Pompidou, Paris in 2017.
YEAR
2015
CLIENT
WINNER VOLVO DESIGN CHALLENGE NEDERLAND
TYPE OF WORK
BIOMIMICRY, RESEARCH
PRODCUTION
FINAL MODEL 3D PRINTED BY 3D SYSTEMS BENELUX
"A holistic design approach ensures that designs are efficient, resilient and in harmony with natural ecosystems."
BIOMIMICRY-INSPIRED CAR SEAT DESIGN WITH SWEDISH ROOTS
Shapes of Sweden is an award-winning, nature-inspired car seat design developed by Lilian van Daal for the Volvo Design Challenge 2015—later acquired by the Centre Pompidou in Paris. This concept merges biomimicry, 3D printing, and local Swedish materials into a forward-thinking vision for the future of mobility.
Drawing from Sweden’s natural environment, Lilian designed a seat that integrates flexibility, resilience, and stability using structures found in tree branches, leaf veins, and pine cones. Extensive material research focused on bio-based, 3D-printable resources like pine wood and resin, in collaboration with Yashwant Pathak. The result: a sustainable seat system that aligns with Volvo’s brand values and reimagines comfort, function, and environmental responsibility.
JURY COMMENT AND MEMBERS
‘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.'
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)