studio swine uses foamed aluminium to form metallic geology cabinets
all images courtesy of studio swine

 

 

 

studio swine is known for employing unconventional mediums, such as long flowing tresses in their ‘hair highway’ project, to create distinctive, functional design pieces. in continuing their exploration of alternative mediums, they have developed a set of cabinets which are made from foamed aluminium — ultimately a composition of gas-injected pores — a lightweight material that has the appearance of pumice; and which is typically used in the automotive industry behind walls and car bonnets to enhance structural properties.

studio swine metallic geology cabinets designboom
when the cabinets are closed they appear as boulders a top golden pedestals

 

 

a project commissioned by pearl lam galleries, ‘metallic geology’ is a collection of small, sculptural storage units that draw their rocky forms from the customs of chinese landscape painting which often displays expressive depictions of china’s mountainous terrain — bringing the rugged environment indoors, drawing striking contrasts with the power of nature, and the still sanctuary of interiors. here, studio swine have taken what is typically considered an industrial product, and highlighted its intricate beauty.

studio swine metallic geology cabinets designboom

 

 

 

the boulders reference traditional tea cabinets, with highly polished stainless steel shelving integrated in their cavernous depths, synthesizing ancient chinese practices with the south east asian country’s contemporary industrial production.

studio swine metallic geology cabinets designboom
a look inside the cavernous depths of the ‘metallic geology’ cabinets

 

studio swine metallic geology cabinets designboom
polished stainless steel shelves are integrated within the carved out cabinet shells

 

studio swine metallic geology cabinets designboom
detail of the shelves’s contrasting smoothness with the external textured cabinet structure

 

studio swine metallic geology cabinets designboom
the foamed aluminium is a composition of gass-filled pores

 

studio swine metallic geology cabinets designboom
the lightweight material has the appearance of pumice

 

studio swine metallic geology cabinets designboom
full view of a ‘metallic geology’ cabinet

 

studio swine metallic geology cabinets designboom
the rocky formations draw their influences from china’s mountainous landscape

 

studio swine metallic geology cabinets designboom