TOPOLOGY

Although the idea of defining a surface via layers of concentrically sliced planes is not new (such as on topological maps), it was never a stylistic theme until appearing in the Furniture category in the mid-2000’s. Couches created through sliced two-dimensional layers of upholstered cushions gave way to tables constructed of plywood strata. The concept quickly moved into Architecture, Interiors, Product, and Fine Art as designers worldwide saw this method as a fresh way to both define a surface and create a sense of flow, lightness, and implied volume. New methods of evolving this trend have been emerging: moving from two-dimensional planes to sliced tubular matrices or even pixelated cube clusters. While there is an inherent potential waste in employing this method (you could build 5 tables from all the plywood used in 1 of these furniture concepts), this aesthetic mode plays well in modern or premium expressions (wastefulness being one aspect of the Premium aesthetic language). Anyone game for trying this in the Transportation or Fashion categories?

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