God's Math Armairua by Michael Potter is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 Burdinazko Saria A' Design Award in Altzari Diseinua Competition Category.

BurdinaAltzariak· 2021

God's Math Armairua

by Michael Potter

Client: P Squared Innovations

Burdinazko Saria A' Design Award Winner in Altzariak Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About God's Math Armairua

Book Text: God's Math armairu bat da, naturan aurkitzen diren eredu matematikoetan inspiratua. Fibonacciren espirala da diseinuaren funtsezko elementua, eta urrezko zenbakiak eta zirkuluak inguratzen dute. Espirala altzairu soldatuzko egitura gisa eraikita dago, egurrezko gorputza euskarritzen eta zeharkatzen duena. Armairuak bi ate eta hiru konpartimentu ditu, eta erabilera erosorako aukeratutako altueran kokatuta dago. Palisandro, arte-begi mapleko eta cocobolo xafla laminatuek murrizten dute behar den egur solidoaren kopurua. Armairuak 1219 mm zabalera, 508 mm sakonera eta 1981 mm altuera ditu.

The Recognition

About the Burdinazko Saria A' Design Award

God's Math Armairua Burdinazko Saria A' Design Award irabazlea da, ondo diseinatutako sorkuntzetatik espero diren eskakizun profesional eta industrialak betetzen dituzten diseinu onei ematen zaien aitorpen prestijiotsua. Burdin-mailako irabazleek beren sortzaileen trebetasun handia, espezializazio handia, adituen ulermena eta sormen-gaitasuna erakusten dituzte. God's Math Armairua oso estimatua, miretsia eta maitea den sorkuntza izatea espero da, praktikoa eta berritzailea dena. Burdinazko Saria A' Design Award irabazi duen diseinu honek sektoreko praktika onenak integratzen ditu eta know-how-ari eta talentuari lotutako ezaugarri tekniko gaituak ditu. God's Math Armairua zehaztasunagatik errespetatua den lana da, eta mundua leku hobea egiten laguntzen duten bizi-kalitatearen hobekuntzak eskaintzeko diseinatua dagoena.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: God's Math successfully melds multiple reoccurring mathematical phenomena in nature into an aesthetically pleasing and fully functional interplay of these phenomena, with the Fibonacci Spiral serving as the central design element, surrounded by the Golden Ratio and the divine circle. A fully functional cabinet seemingly floats in an ergonomically optimized location on a piece which is as interesting to look at as it is efficient and practical in its use - Much the same way nature finds order out of chaos.
Dimensions & Packaging: Width 1219 mm x Depth 508 mm x Height 1981 mm
Tags: Fibonacci, mid-century modern, cabinet, metal, veneer, God, math
Production Technology: Project included welding, woodworking and advanced lamination techniques. Rosewood, birdseye maple and Cocobolo were veneer laminates to ensure a sustainable design. Custom forms and creative veneering processes required for both scale and non-linear faces of the piece.
Design Challenge: In order for the spiral to accurately represent the Fibonacci Spiral, the mathematical elements were scaled up and represented by the steel welded superstructure. The spiral itself is three distinct components: veneers bent around a form, pressed in a form, and laminated carved pieces of wood. Tangentially related, incorporation of the steel structure into the spiral as it sits within and extending through the spiral.
Research: Research conducted on both advanced methods for lamination and the recurring mathematical phenomenons found in nature. A great deal of time was spent pondering how to create an aesthetically pleasing and fully functional interplay of these phenomenons, with the Fibonacci Spiral serving as the central design element. Some experiments were run on stability of laminates for such a large and heavy piece, as well as veneering outside curves.
Inspiration: The repeating order in our universe, from galaxies to microorganisms shows repeating patterns which can be demonstrated through mathematics. Italian mathematician, Leonardo of Pisa, wrote about this in 1202 in his book, Liber Abaci. The golden ratio is another recurring mathematical ratio which has captured the attention of some of the greatest minds in history. No design referencing God’s math would be replete without the divinity represented by the circle.
Project Duration: Project began in November, 2019 in Greenville, SC and finished in April, 2020. Currently stored in studio.
Operation Flow: working cabinet with two doors and three compartments.
Team Members: Michael Potter
Image Credits: All images credited/edited by Seth Hunt, EP+Co