three-axis joint connects raw tree branches without screws for self-building structures

a joint that adapts to variation instead of standardizing it

Omnibite by Eugenio Costa and Nicolò Tallone begins in the moment where a branch is cut, held, and turned in the hand before anything is assembled. The project proposes a shift in self-building that moves construction back to the moment of gathering material, where wood is still irregular, unprocessed, and open to interpretation, introducing a three-axis joint with a quick-locking system that connects raw branches without screws, allowing natural elements to become structure with minimal preparation.

Rather than standardizing material, the joint accepts variation thanks to its geometry, which adapts to different diameters and angles, holding each branch in place through a system of clamps and interlocking plates. The bright, mechanical components contrast with the organic surface of the wood, making the act of connection visible and direct. In this way, the joint does not hide construction but frames it as an ongoing negotiation between precision and irregularity.

At Paris Design Week 2026, Omnibite moved from construction system to functional furniture for the first time. Presented at Espace Commines the joint was used to create a chair, a table, and a lamp, extending the system into a domestic setting.

all images by @matok.lab

omnibite builds from landscape to structure

As branches accumulate, they begin to define a frame. A chair emerges, its proportions guided as much by available material as by intention. The system translates scattered fragments into inhabitable form, where each connection stabilizes a larger configuration.

The project is grounded in research into local wood species found in Lombardy, treating the surrounding landscape as both resource and knowledge base. Each type of wood carries distinct structural properties, influencing how it can be selected and used. By focusing on what is immediately available, Omnibite suggests that construction does not begin in the workshop, but in the act of recognizing potential within a specific environment.

Milan-based product designers Eugenio Costa and Nicolò Tallone turn making into something less about assembling predefined parts and more about engaging with material as it is found. Omnibite lingers in the interval before construction is fixed, where a branch is selected, tested, and understood. 

irregular wood elements are held in place through adjustable clamps and interlocking plates

three-axis joint connects raw branches without screws through a quick-locking system

Omnibite furniture presented at Espace Commines during Paris Design Week 2026

the chair and table use irregular branches as structural elements

the Omnibite chair combines raw branches with bright adjustable joints

the three-axis joint connects raw branches at varying angles

the chair and table use irregular branches as structural elements

the joint operates across three axes, stabilizing connections at multiple angles

mechanical components contrast with organic wood

additional attachments extend the system into small-scale functional uses in situ

the joint system combines metal and 3D-printed parts into a modular connector

a modified tool integrates the joint into the process of preparing raw branches

metal components are fabricated to accommodate flexibility and precision in connection

different branch types reveal variations in geometry, texture, and structural potential

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early sketch explores structure emerging from gathered branches and spatial interaction

conceptual drawing maps the landscape as a field of potential material and action

diagram traces the transition from raw elements to assembled chair through sequential steps

project info:

name: Omnibite

designer: Eugenio Costa | @eugenio___costa, Nicolò Tallone | @nicolo_tallone

photographer: Matok Lab | @matok.lab