God's Math Armari by Michael Potter is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 A' Design Award de Fèrre in Dissènh de Mobilièr Competition Category.

FèrreMobilièr· 2021

God's Math Armari

by Michael Potter

Client: P Squared Innovations

A' Design Award de Fèrre Winner in Mobilièr 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 Armari

God's Math es un armari inspirat pels motius matematics que se tròban dins la natura. L'espirala de Fibonacci es l'element central del disenh, e es enrodada pel nombre d'aur e pel cercle. L'espirala es bastida coma una estructura d'acièr saudat que sosten e travèrsa lo còs de fusta. L'armari compòrta doas pòrtas e tres compartiments, e a una nautor causida per un usatge confortable. Los estratificats de placatge de palissandre, d'aurèlha d'aucèl e de cocobolo redusisson la quantitat de fusta massissa necessària. L'armari mesura 1219 mm de larg, 508 mm de prigondor e 1981 mm de nautor.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Fèrre

God's Math Armari a ganhat la distincion A' Design Award de Fèrre, una reconeissença prestigiosa acordada a de bons designs que respondon a las exigéncias professionalas e industrialas esperadas de creacions plan concebudas. Los ganhaires del Fèrre demòstran una granda abilitat, una nauta especializacion, una comprenedura d'expèrt e la capacitat creativa de lors creators. S'espèra que God's Math Armari siá una creacion fòrça considerada, admirada e estimada, practica e innovanta. Aqueste design ganhaire de la distincion A' Design Award de Fèrre integra las melhoras practicas del sector e a de caracteristicas tecnicas competentas ligadas a un saber-far e a un talent. Per son rigor, God's Math Armari merita lo respècte e es destinat a aportar de melhoraments a la qualitat de la vida que ajudan a far del mond un luòc melhor.

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