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God's Math Armarium by Michael Potter

God's Math Armarium by Michael Potter is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 Praemium A' Design Award Ferreum in Designatio Supellectilis Competition Category.


FerrumSupellex· 2021

God's Math Armarium

by Michael Potter

Client: P Squared Innovations

Praemium A' Design Award Ferreum Winner in Supellex Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #106050

Colors

The Design

About God's Math Armarium

Mathematica Dei est armarium quod ex formis mathematicis in natura repertis inspiratur. Spira Fibonacci elementum centrale formae est, quam ratio aurea et circulus circumdant. Spira ut structura ferrea conflata aedificatur, quae corpus ligneum sustinet et per illud transit. Armarium duas ianuas et tria loculamenta habet, et ad altitudinem commodo usui electam constituitur. Laminae tenues ligni Rhodii, Aceris "birdseye" et Cocoboli quantitatem ligni solidi necessariam minuunt. Armarium 1219 mm latum, 508 mm profundum et 1981 mm altum metitur.

The Recognition

About the Praemium A' Design Award Ferreum

God's Math Armarium victor est Praemii A' Design Award Ferreum, honoris amplissimi formis bonis dati, quae postulatis professionalibus et industrialibus ab creationibus bene formatis exspectatis satisfaciunt. Victores Ferrei magnam peritiam, altam specializationem, intellectum periti et facultatem creandi auctorum suorum ostendunt. Exspectatur God's Math Armarium creationem multum aestimatam, admiratam et carissimam, practicam et novam fore. Haec forma Ferreo victa optimas industriae consuetudines integrat et proprietates technicas idoneas, cum scientia et talento coniunctas, habet. God's Math Armarium ob diligentiam suam honoratur et ad vitae qualitatem emendandam formatum est, ut mundum meliorem reddere iuvet.

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

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