Plexus Eto Ìsopọ̀ by Subinay Malhotra is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award in Àpẹẹrẹ Ìpilẹ̀ṣẹ̀, Àlgọ́rídímù, Párámétrìkì àti Àtìlẹ́yìn-AI Competition Category.

IrinÌpilẹ̀ṣẹ̀· 2025

Plexus Eto Ìsopọ̀

by Subinay Malhotra

Client: Subinay Malhotra Designworks

Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award Winner in Ìpilẹ̀ṣẹ̀ Category

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The Design

About Plexus Eto Ìsopọ̀

Plexus jẹ́ eto ìsopọ̀ modula tí a dá sílẹ̀ pẹ̀lú apẹẹrẹ àdámọ̀ (generative design) àti àwọn olùsopọ̀ tí ó ṣeé ṣàtúnṣe. Eto yìí ń so àwọn ẹ̀yà pọ̀ láìlo àwọn ohun ìdìmú ìbílẹ̀, tí ó sì ń jẹ́ kí ìyípadà rọ̀rùn láàrin àwọn ojú ìta àti àwọn ìgbékalẹ̀. A ń ṣe àwọn ẹ̀yà náà nípasẹ̀ ìwúkàrà epo-oyin tí ó sọnù (lost-wax casting) láti inú àwòrán epo-oyin tí a fi ẹ̀rọ ìtẹ̀wé onípinnu-mẹ́ta (3D printing) ṣe. Àwòrán algorithm kan ń fún àwọn ibi tí ìtẹ̀ pọ̀ sí ní okun, tí ó sì ń dín iye irin tí a ń lò kù. Ìlànà anodizing onípa-kékeré àti ìtẹ́ aláìléwu-májèlé ń mú ìlọ́ra àti ìdára ojú-ìta sunwọ̀n síi. Plexus ń ṣètìlẹ́yìn fún ìkópọ̀ àti àtúnṣe káàkiri ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ìlò.

The Recognition

About the Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award

Plexus Eto Ìsopọ̀ jẹ́ olùborí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award, ìdánimọ̀ olókìkí tí a fún àwọn àwòṣe tó dára tí wọ́n pàdé àwọn ohun tí iṣẹ́ àti ilé-iṣẹ́ nílò tí a retí láti ọ̀dọ̀ àwọn ẹ̀dá tí a ṣàwòṣe dáradára. Àwọn olùborí Irin ń fi ìjáfáfá ńlá, ìmọ̀ pàtó gíga, òye ògbóǹtarìgì àti agbára ìṣẹ̀dá àwọn olùṣẹ̀dá wọn hàn. A retí pé Plexus Eto Ìsopọ̀ yóò jẹ́ ẹ̀dá tí a kà sí gidigidi, tí a gbóríyìn fún tí a sì nífẹ̀ẹ́, tó wúlò tó sì ní ìmúṣẹ̀dá tuntun. Àwòṣe tó borí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Irin A' Design Award yìí ń kó àwọn ọ̀nà tó dára jùlọ ilé-iṣẹ́ jọ, ó sì ní àwọn ànímọ́ ìmọ̀-ẹ̀rọ tó péye tí a so mọ́ ìmọ̀ ṣíṣe àti ẹ̀bùn. A bọ̀wọ̀ fún Plexus Eto Ìsopọ̀ nítorí ìfọ̀kànbalẹ̀ rẹ̀, a sì ṣàwòṣe rẹ̀ láti pèsè ìmúdára ìgbésí ayé tó ń ran ayé lọ́wọ́ láti di ibi tó dára jù.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Plexus redefines modular joinery by integrating generative design with adaptable connection systems, allowing seamless transformation into various applications. Its innovative joining method enables fluid transitions between surfaces and structures, eliminating conventional fasteners while enhancing strength, flexibility, and scalability. Combining advanced metal treatments with precision-engineered connections, Plexus challenges traditional assembly processes by giving reconfigurable solutions
Dimensions & Packaging: 218mm x 175mm x 162mm
Tags: generative design, modular joinery, parametric modeling, lost-wax casting, eco-friendly plating, sustainable manufacturing, computational fabrication, adaptive structures, material efficiency, algorithmic mesh
Production Technology: Plexus utilizes 3D-printed wax patterns combined with lost-wax casting to achieve intricate, high-precision modular joinery. The generative design is first developed through parametric modeling, then translated into wax prototypes via SLA 3D printing. These wax models undergo investment casting, producing durable metal components with seamless, organic forms. The system integrates custom anodization, electroplating, and multi-material hybridization, enhancing surface properties, durability, and aesthetic adaptability, redefining traditional joinery through advanced computational fabrication techniques.
Design Challenge: The biggest challenge in Plexus was balancing structural integrity with material reduction while maintaining seamless adaptability. Algorithmic joinery required extensive computational testing to optimize mesh density for load-bearing efficiency without overusing metal. Overcoming manufacturing constraints in lost-wax casting and eco-plating demanded collaboration with fabricators to refine tolerances. Bridging generative design with real-world production was key to making Plexus both scalable and sustainable.
Research: Plexus is based on experimental design research exploring algorithmic joinery and modular assembly, with a focus on reducing unnecessary metal use through optimized material distribution and eco-friendly plating techniques. The objective was to create a seamless, reconfigurable connection system that enhances efficiency, sustainability, and adaptability. Using parametric modeling and computational simulations, the study analyzed load distribution and material behavior to eliminate excess material in non-critical areas. Data was gathered through digital stress tests and 3D-printed prototypes, refined via lost-wax casting and advanced metal treatments. Participants included engineers, designers, and fabricators, who provided insights into usability, strength, and scalability. The research demonstrated that generative mesh structures strategically reduce metal usage while maintaining structural integrity. Additionally, eco-friendly plating techniques, such as low-impact anodization and non-toxic electroplating, were integrated to enhance durability and environmental sustainability. This innovation enables sustainable manufacturing, minimizing waste while enhancing performance and flexibility. The impact extends to product design, architecture, and adaptive manufacturing, offering an efficient, high-performance alternative to traditional joinery.
Inspiration: Inspired by nature’s seamless connections and biological structures, Plexus reimagines traditional joinery through generative design and modular adaptability. The project stems from parametric design, biomimicry, and material efficiency research, seeking to eliminate rigid fasteners in favor of fluid, scalable connections. By integrating algorithmic modeling with precision engineering, Plexus introduces a versatile, reconfigurable system that adapts across multiple applications.
Project Duration: The project started in August 2024 and was produced by February 2025. Plexus Joinery has been published globally, receiving recognition across various platforms.
Operation Flow: Plexus utilizes an algorithmically generated mesh structure within its modular joinery system, ensuring optimal strength and weight distribution. The mesh is parametrically designed to reinforce stress points, allowing the structure to withstand significant loads while maintaining a lightweight, organic form. This adaptive approach enables seamless assembly, transformation, and reconfiguration without traditional fasteners, enhancing structural integrity, user interaction, and aesthetic fluidity in a scalable design solution.
Team Members: Subinay Malhotra
Image Credits: Image #1: Plexus Joinery
Image #2: In Context
Image #3: In context
Image #4: In context
Image #3: Function