simin qiu, with support from kohler, presents artificial nature

simin qiu, with support from kohler, presents artificial nature
all images courtesy of simin qiu 

the planet’s surface is a diverse mixture of textures and abstract patterns. geological forces such as heat and pressure, coupled with external influences like weathering and erosion from wind, water, and sunlight have sculpted earth to what it is today, and will continue to do so unceasingly. product designer simin qiu’s project, ‘artificial nature’ recreates the laws of the world in order to produce organic patterns like mother nature herself.

a simple motor turns the paddle, creating waves 

with support from kohler, qiu developed a 1m² wave machine driven by four-turbines. when activated, paddles whip the surface, unpredictably altering the sensitive bed of sand lining the bottom. by changing the speed or positioning of the motors, it not only recreates the laws of nature, but builds upon them; enabling patterns that would almost never occur in the wild.

after a short duration, the turbines are shut off and the water allowed to settled. then, using a 3D scanner, the organic sand formations are relocated to the digital world. once on the computer, the taken forms can be optimized and applied to various materials and products. for ‘artificial nature’, qiu’s various scans were handed over to kohler, who employed the patterns in a series of ceramic tiles. simin qiu wishes to thank mark bickerstaffe and carla heyworth for making the project possible. 

detail of paddle 

sand pattern

ceramic pattern

water basin and tile design by simin qiu, produced by kohler 

installed pieces 

tile details 

wave machine details

process 

patterns 

ceramic pieces 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: nick brink | designboom