patrick jouin unveils foldable 3D printed TAMU chair at milan design week

french designer patrick jouin revealed a prototype of his latest creation, the TAMU chair, during milan design week 2019. inspired by nature, the prototype features a geometric design, is completely foldable, and has been conceived with as less material as possible.

jouin employed generative design processes and 3D printing to realise the design. using dassault systèmes 3Dexperience platform, he has made an attempt to replicate organic processes with machine algorithms. the platform was created to make it easier for users to design and create 3D-printed products.

nature was the inspiration for patrick jouin, as well as the precision that embodies the organic creation process. each element is connected to each other to create a coherent and functional whole. 

‘previously designers were inspired by ‘organic’ as a style, but what is completely new is that designers are now inspired by the organic process itself, and how to emulate it,‘ patrick explains. ‘manufacturing has fallen into the habit of producing more material than necessary. but with the help of innovative digital technologies, we are now able to create with much more efficiency and less waste, even as early as the design process’.

the chair was revealed as part of ‘design in the age of experience‘, the annual conference for sustainable innovation held during milan design week. last year architect kengo kuma presented a giant spiralling air-purifying sculpture with the ability to absorb the emissions of 90,000 cars per year.

project info

designer: patrick jouin

model: TAMU chair