Ayse Ozlem Ozaltin · CLIENT: Sotil Studio
Curvline is a self supporting bookcase that explores the structural transformation of thin metal through curvature. Inspired by the dual nature of metal, both flexible and resistant, the design converts material vulnerability into strength by bending and folding the surface. The continuous form acts simultaneously as structure and storage, eliminating the distinction between frame and shelf. With its modular configuration, Curvline allows adaptable compositions while maintaining a clear sculptural identity defined by balance, tension, and refined minimalism.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The natural properties of sheet metal have directly shaped the design approach of the Curvline Bookcase.
Through bending and curving, an ideal form has been achieved - one that is both self-supporting in structure and functional as a bookshelf and display unit.
Function, aesthetics, sculptural presence, and structural integrity are resolved within a single, unified design language.
Form and function are seamlessly intertwined. - Dimensions & Packaging
- 1200 x 300 x 600mm
It is made of 3 mm thick metal sheet coated with electrostatic powder paint. - Tags
- Curved bookcase, modular design, metal bookshelf, contemporary furniture, space-saving storage, self supporting structure, minimalist aesthetic, durable materials
- Production Technology
- The production of the bookcase involves precision bending and Atomic Hydrogen Welding (AHW), ensuring structural integrity, dimensional accuracy, and refined craftsmanship. The surface is coated with electrostatic powder coating, providing long-lasting durability and a high-quality finish.
- Design Challenge
- The hardest part was shaping thin sheet metal to stand on its own while keeping a light, elegant look. Balancing strength and flexibility required many form tests and precise bending experiments. Limited production tools and metal thickness constraints challenged the process, but these limits inspired a refined, minimal structure that merges aesthetics with structural efficiency.
- Project Duration
- Izmir/Turkey, 2023
- Operation Flow
- Curvline Bookcase is easy to use and adapt. You can place units side by side or stack them to fit your space. Its curved metal form stands firmly without extra support, creating a sculptural yet practical piece. By simply changing its arrangement, it transforms from a single shelf into a continuous display, combining elegance, strength, and flexibility in everyday use.
- Research
- This research was a design-based study aimed at creating a modular, self-supporting bookcase. Metal behavior was explored through sketches, 3D models, and physical prototypes. Data was collected by testing forms, curves, and load capacity, including computer simulations to determine metal thickness and weight limits. Experiments also focused on using thin metal forms in furniture design. Results showed that curved forms provide both strength and aesthetic appeal. The research informs real-world furniture design, offering flexible, durable, and visually striking solutions for homes, offices, and public spaces.
- Inspiration
- By its nature, metal resists tension with its high tensile strength, yet in thin forms, it becomes more vulnerable under compression. These slender forms are flexible and malleable. However, bending them is precisely what transforms this weakness into strength. As the metal folds, it gains structural rigidity, balancing the contradictions within its own nature. This design takes inspiration from that transformation, uniting strength and the aesthetic of form into a harmonious whole.
- Image Credits
- Image #1 : Photographer Tolga Aslanturk, 2023
Image #2 : Photographer Tolga Aslanturk, 2023
Image #3 : Photographer Tolga Aslanturk, 2023
Image #4 : Photographer Tolga Aslanturk, 2023
Image #5 : Creator Ayse Ozlem Ozaltin, 2025 - Patents
- Design Patent: Patented. Patent No. 2023/010860. Patent Holder: Ayse Ozlem Ozaltin. Year: 2024. Jurisdiction: Turkey.
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