ALVEOLATA 2_4.A LONDON 2013

SYNTHETIC NATURE COLLECTION

Synthetic Nature is a collection of modular prototypes born of holistic research into the genesis of form and space. The self-organisation of matter, conservation of energy, equilibrium and notions of minimal complexity are concepts that have driven the creative process, a symbiotic mix of art and science.

The analogy with the molecular behaviour of soap bubbles informs the design method, which involves nature inspired algorithms and geometric constraints. Focusing on periodic minimal surfaces, the design process challenges the concepts of multi-dimensional symmetry and repetition, creating modular continuous surfaces that are infinitely expandable.

This research explores new spatial qualities, material effects and volumetric intricacy through continuous surface geometries and modular skin topology systems created from the repetition of identical cellular components. The resulting prototypes open-up opportunities at various scales in architecture, product and fashion design.

The paradoxical character of Synthetic Nature is emerging from the computational side of the process as well as the artificial materiality of the prototypes. Following the biological model taxonomy, the collection challenges the notion of artefact through creating a series of morphological design species.

CLON8 vs MONOCHROME FASHION EDITORIAL LONDON 2013

ALVEOLATA 2.4_A has been used as a head piece in a collaborative fashion editorial with clothing brands CLON8 and MONOCHROME. In line with the conceptual narrative of CLON8’s Black Euphoria collection and the unique tailored minimal aesthetic of MONOCHROME’s garments, the Synthetic Nature prototypes have been taken to a new conceptual level, becoming abstract oversized skeletal heads for a new species of stylised humanoid creatures.

‘The forgotten stories of traditional costumes from the Asian cultures and the mixture of genders brought the Black Euphoria collection to life. Each texture and structure on the garments brings life and movement to the monochrome collection, creating a new take on the traditional attire. Black Euphoria is a celebration of androgyny, mixing structural tailoring and geometric lines, against elegantly draped fabrics. CLON8’s Black Euphoria is a collection of creative thinking that acknowledges and discards the accepted pattern to create new ideas.’ Angelika Chilikova, CLON8