God's Math Petlacalli by Michael Potter is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 Mahuizolli A' Design Award Tepoztli in Caltlapechtli Tlachihchihualiztli Competition Category.

TepoztliCaltlapechtli· 2021

God's Math Petlacalli

by Michael Potter

Client: P Squared Innovations

Mahuizolli A' Design Award Tepoztli Winner in Caltlapechtli Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About God's Math Petlacalli

Teotl Itlapohual in itoca, se petlacalli tlaixcuiliuhqui itech in tlapohualmachiotl tlen mochi nemitl. In Fibonacci malinalli yehuatl in tlayolo tlachihualiztli, ihuan iyahualo in teocuitlanextli tlapohualli ihuan in yahualli. In malinalli mochihua ika tepoztli tlatzayanalli tlen quipia ihuan panoa itech in cuauhtlacximeh inacayo. In petlacalli quipia ome tlatzacuililli ihuan yeyi tlacoyoctli, ihuan ipan se ihcatoc ica tlen cualli monequi ipan inemac. In cuauhcoyolli, ahuacuahuitl birdseye ihuan cocobolo tlapachiuhtli quixtlapachohuah quesqui cuauhtli monequi. In petlacalli quipia 1219 mm ipatlahuaca, 508 mm iyecapan ihuan 1981 mm ihueyilis.

The Recognition

About the Mahuizolli A' Design Award Tepoztli

God's Math Petlacalli ca in quicuic in Mahuizolli A' Design Award Tepoztli, tlamahuizoliztli tlen momaca in cualli dizayno in quitlalia in tlen monequi ipan tequitl ihuan tlachihualiztli in quimaca in cualli tlachihualli. In quicuicah Tepoztli quinextia in hueyi tlamatiliztli, toltecayotl ihuan ihuelitiliztli intlachihuanime. Ca quinequi in God's Math Petlacalli ca tlazohtli, mahuiztic, yancuic ihuan motequiuhtia. Ni dizayno in quicuic Tepoztli quihuelitia in tlamatiliztli ihuan quipia chicahualiztli tlen tepoztli. God's Math Petlacalli quicualtia in nemiliztli ihuan quihuelitia in cemanahuac ica cualli.

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