Algae and Snowflakes

The Algue Screen...

I can not get over this fantastic and innovative concept by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec. Sometimes great things need to be re-visited...


As I was perusing some photos from our recent snowfall here on the wet raincoast (it was such a treat to see the liquid stuff turn into a white wonderland!), I couldn't help but make a really interesting correlation. The beauty of the close up shots of those intricate and ornately designed snowflakes... they reminded me of something really familiar. Hmmmm....


At first glance, a single Algue snap reminds me of a branch from a plant, and as they are connected together they take on the look of something much more complex... a giant web if you will (ew, I know, it sounds icky -- those 8-legged creepy things again!). Although the name implies the design framework of algae and seaweed, I see something completely different. It reminds me of the microscopic ice crystal webbing of frost... the branched beauty of its interconnection and design network. A collection of crystals blanketing a patch of grass, or like hoar frost ice crystals clinging to a lonely branch. The same faceting and dendritic structures that you see in snowflakes...


That is what this design reminds me of as the plastic elements link together to form a much larger connection. They can fasten together and form a simple curtain, a room divider, or a grand wall decoration. It can vary just like that... from a transparent hanging decoration to a thick, opaque screen.

So, from this...

To this...

White branches interconnected to form an impressive net-like mesh wall. A fine decorative feature as well as a practical interior design. Striking to admire, but can also serve as a form of privacy or division.

Then, to this....

An amazing and elaborate formation. The reticulated structure of snowflakes all bundled together.... a cluster of fernlike ice crystals. A grandiose structure... a beautiful and stunning pattern, like frozen lace.

Looks like this...
See a slight resemblance... ?!



~ An image of a vast collection of large ice crystals (stellar dendrites), forming the snow you may see this time of year.... (if you are so lucky!)

How can design not be inspired by nature...?

(if only it wasn't made from plastic...)