The last few days we have given trendtours at het Klokgebouw during Dutch Design Week. With a group of eight enthusiastic students we did a lot of research and we have spotted five trends. The trendtour consisted out of three of those trends from our trend book; Disaster Independency, Nature’s Apprentice and Digital Empathy. The tour gave concrete manifestations of the trends.
Nature’s Apprentice is technology inspired by nature. By looking at nature’s materials and learning from her efficient processes, we are able to implement this in more sustainable designs. We are no longer taking things out of nature and using it for our own benefit, but learning form it in a respectable way.
PLYSKIN
Created by: Lindy Cafsia
Plyskin is a insulation material that mimics the skin and fur of a polar bear. Lindy Cafsia, the designer, believes that mimicking the thermic function of the polar bear’s skin can provide for efficient insulation for homes. Unlike most insulation materials, the material invites to be placed on the outside of the façade , giving the house a unique look. The polar bear can survive extremely low temperatures thanks to its efficient fur and skin. Like a polar bears skin, Plyskin consists of three layers that absorb sunlight and keep the polar bear warm. It is made of bio-based and recyclable materials, consist of three layers, such as the skin of a polar bear. The three layers absorb sunlight and therefore keep the building warm.
BIOMIMETIC LIFTING AID
Created by: Tjitte de Wolff
The Biomimetic Lifting Aid is suction cup that works as a lifting aid. This lifting aid can anchor itself on rough surfaces and it senses how much weight it can lift of a particular kind of material. The designer was wondering why an octopus can anchor itself on rough stone, but we don not have suction cups yet that can be put on anything else than glass. That is why he combined all the similarities that natural suction cups have and developed this into the design. The Biomimetic Lifting Aid implements smart aspects from nature into design.
IT’S WHAT’S ON THE INSIDE THAT MATTERS
Created by: Jun Wu
It’s What’s On The Inside That Matters is an algorithm inspired by bone structure that can be used for 3D printing. A bone is hard from the outside and porous from the inside, which makes it very strong. The design makes it possible to quickly print lighter materials that are more efficient in use and strong nevertheless. It’s What’s On The Inside That Matters fits within the trend Nature’s Apprentice because it implements smart aspects of nature in it’s design.
If you have any questions about the trends or our studies, please leave a comment or contact us. We hope you enjoyed our tours and we hope to see you next year!
