kazunori takeishi from japanese design atelier monocircus has introduced ‘lacunal’, a 3-dimensional support frame to ease breathing when wearing a neck tube or a buff. lacunal is named after ‘lacuna’ which refers to an empty space or gap and it can be used while running, trekking or performing any other athletic activity. the item is made via 3D printing laser sintering technology, and can be customized to fit individual facial sizes. 

lacunal 3d support frame to ease breathing 1

lacunal creates a space between the neck tube and the mouth to ease breathing
all images courtesy of monocircus

 

 

the arch structure created by kazunori takeishi sits on the nose and chin, creating space between the fabric of the buff and the nose and mouth, allowing greater comfort with breathing, hence improving athletic performance. the structure rests on just two points on the nose bridge and chin, parts of the face that are mainly bone and skin, and have the least muscular movement. in this way, the lacunal does not hinder movements of the mouth and causes minimal discomfort.

lacunal 3d support frame to ease breathing 2

 

lacunal is produced one by one via 3d printing laser sintering technology, made in lightweight nylon plastic. in order to wear the lacunal, the user first puts on the neck tube and then, places the lacunal on the inner side of it, making sure the nose and chin supports are placed in the right positions on the face. afterwards, the user slots the top edge of the neck tube in the clasp of the nose support, which prevents the neck tube from sliding down. finally, the product is adjusted to fit the position of the nose and chin, as well as the fabric of the neck tube to hug the face comfortably.

 

 

 

 

wearing a neck tube or buff during a run, a trek or work out very often causes difficulty in breathing especially when the neck tube gets wet with sweat. with the lacunal, the area around the nose and mouth has a layer of empty space, clear of any fabric, which makes it a lot more comfortable and easier to breathe especially during prolong training or exercise. other than neck tubes, the lacunal can also be used with fabric masks. long hours of wearing masks in the high temperatures of summer could cause relative levels of distress in breathing, and the use of lacunal can greatly ease discomfort and even lower the risk of a heat stroke. 

lacunal 3d support frame to ease breathing 3

 

lacunal 3d support frame to ease breathing 4

 

lacunal 3d support frame to ease breathing 5

 

lacunal 3d support frame to ease breathing 6
the bridge structure rests on the nose bridge and the chin

 

lacunal 3d support frame to ease breathing 7

 

lacunal 3d support frame to ease breathing 8

 

 

project info:

 

name: lacunal – available here in july 2020
designer: kazunori takeishi – monocircus

 

 

 

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: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom