steven haulenbeek exhibits ice casting + resin bonded sand technique during NY design week
all images courtesy of steven haulenbeek

 

 

 

‘ice casting’ is an experimental processes developed by chicago-based designer steven haulenbeek that utilizes hand carved molds to create intricate objects in cast bronze. each piece starts with a cube of ice — a recess is then meticulously engraved into the surface and filled with hot casting wax. the rapid cooling of the wax against the frozen material transforms each part into solid bronze. the american designer used this technique for his ‘ice-cast bronze’ collection which resulted in furniture pieces that contained a textured, rippled exterior. the series includes a cocktail table, side table and a number of small sculptural vessels.

steven haulenbeek ice cast bronze designboom
a recess is meticulously engraved into the ice and then filled with hot casting wax

 

 

 

during new york design week 2016, haulenbeek — recipient of the american design honors program — presents the pieces at wanteddesign manhattan

 

alongside the ‘ice casting’ series, haulenbeek also exhibits the ‘resin-bonded sand’ collection, which includes a number of roughly chiseled works. sand is a brittle substance which can be easily broken away with a hammer — however haulenbeek found that it could be easily carved and shaped with the addition of the right resin. the resin penetrates the grain only slightly and, once cured, retains the look and feel of sand with a new strength and hardness. the structure of the vessels reference organi forms like cacti or coral, creating a series of furniture that embodies a grounded ethereal quality.

steven haulenbeek ice cast bronze designboom
the ‘ice-cast bronze’ collection includes a cocktail table, side table and a number of small sculptural vessels

 

 

 

steven haulenbeek has participated in a number of designboom’s cultural mart exhibitions. in 2010, he created the ‘cumulus light canopy’ installation for the lCFF designboom mart using a series of white umbrellas which were hung upside down to create ten cloud-like forms. 

steven haulenbeek ice cast bronze  
the ‘ice-casting’ technique creates a textured surface

steven haulenbeek ice cast bronze designboom
the rapid cooling of the wax against the frozen material transforms each part into solid bronze
RBS console steven haulenbeek designboom
the ‘resin-bonded sand’ collection retains the look and feel of sand

steven haulenbeek new york design week resin casted sand  wanted design designboom 
steven haulenbeek found that the material could be easily carved and shaped with the addition of the right resin

steven haulenbeek new york design week resin casted sand  wanted design designboom
the resin penetrates the surface only slightly giving the material a new strength and hardness
steven haulenbeek new york design week resin casted sand designboom
the furniture pieces embody a grounded ethereal quality
steven haulenbeek new york design week resin casted sand designboom
the structure of the vessels reference organic natural forms like cactuses or coral

 

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