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Studio BL presents their bespoke lamps and collectibles, including a new series made from biodegradable PHA. Explore the intersection of design, art, and craftsmanship, featuring cutting-edge works by contemporary makers: geometric 3D paper art, minimalist furniture, and circular firehose design
Visual language of nature
Spiral phyllotaxis is a recurring theme in the work of Studio BL - Bastiaan Luijk. Phyllotaxis is a scientific word used in botany to describe the arrangement of leaves around an axis or stem. Spiral phyllotaxis can be seen as a pattern in the heads of sunflowers, among other things. This pattern can be constructed with a mathematical formula, as proposed by Helmut Vogel in 'A better way to construct the sunflower head' in 1979. This formula describes the pattern in the flat plane (2D) and is used for the wall lamp and wall ornaments. Studio BL has developed a method and algorithm making it possible to construct the spiral phyllotaxis pattern as a spatial structure for 3D designs. The studio creates these nature-inspired designs to share their fascination: to emphasize the beauty of nature, bringing it closer and appreciating it in new ways.
PHA: The future of circular 3D printing?
Studio BL is committed to using FDM (Fused Deposit Modeling) 3D printing materials that combine high quality with low CO2 impact. Since the studio's inception in 2019, renewable materials have been central to this mission. However, the full life cycle of materials must be considered to truly assess their sustainability. While PLA, a popular choice, is made from renewable sources, it is only biodegradable under industrial conditions, and its recyclability is limited due to material degradation after multiple uses.
In our pursuit of sustainable materials, we discovered a promising material: PHA. PHA is fully biodegradable in various environments, without leaving microplastics behind. Although PHA was first developed in the 1920s, commercial production was delayed until the 1980s due to high costs. Only recently has PHA become available for FDM 3D printing at a price comparable to PLA and PETG.
Are we on the verge of a PHA revolution, given its potential as the first truly circular material? While PHA holds great promise, what are its broader implications like local production, feedstock source and scalability?
Group exhibition: Studio BL with RK Zerrou, Eversom, Structural Aspect
This year Bastiaan Luijk is showcasing his work in a group exhibition. A bold mix of art and design. He invited self-producing artisans to join in a presentation about their shared passion for contemporary craftmanship:
Khalid and Rachid Zerrou (RK Zerrou) show works that have the power to draw you in as a viewer. Mathematical refinement, the allure of modern technology, and Moroccan cultural heritage merge into one enchanting whole.
Ilse Evers (Eversom) shows her fascinating interior objects and artisan rugs made from reclaimed fire hoses.
Thijs Smits and Jens van Deursen (Structural Aspect) show their XYZ series: furniture created by blocking forces along the x, y, and z axes without external fasteners, inspired by old woodworking techniques. Using a CNC machine, the process involves a single miter joint, one material, and one method, resulting in efficient, low-waste production.
