From mid-century modern to 3D plywood | Plydesign’s open call

From mid-century modern to 3D plywood | Plydesign’s open call

What “miracle cure” did Ray and Charles Eames use for their iconic plywood furniture? What did the German company Reholz become famous for, and what “recipe” did András Kerékgyártó, the designer of the Hungarian Plydesign, develop? Innovative solutions among plywood furniture!

One of the most important factors in the epoch-making breakthroughs and turning points of pressure-treated plywood was the development of adhesives. The Estonian company Lutherma was able to be the market leader in this field before World War I because they developed a waterproof adhesive, and the Eames couple—Charles (1907-1978) and Ray Eames (1912-1988)—were then able to have a bi-directional bending profile for the first time (creating a real space shape that is well resistant to both forces and loads in different directions, eliminating previous stability-stiffness problems) when they obtained an adhesive developed for war purposes.

In this era (mid-20th century, mid-century modern), which can also be called the classic, mature era of plywood, the manufacturing technology of the material still known and used today was created. The importance of ergonomics was also strengthened in the war, as more than four hundred flight incidents occurred due to incorrect identification of controls, that is poor ergonomic design—this practical knowledge still plays a significant role in the development of seating.

Developments in the 21st century significantly expand the possibilities of using plywood and go beyond the old limits. The German company Reholz (now Danzer) has developed the 3D plywood technology, which allows the formation of organic shapes while preserving the ease of shape preparation, but without reducing the load-bearing capacity and stability. This technology gives the design freedom that designers experimenting with plywood have always longed for—this is perhaps most spectacularly achieved in the structure of the eggshell. This is because the seemingly fragile and thin eggshell can withstand a relatively large load without breaking. 3D plywood allows the production of similarly thin shell structures that can successfully withstand forces from different directions. The only drawback is the high production cost, which was moderated by András Kerékgyártó, lead designer of Plydesign, at the iF Design Award 2021 award-winning FRIGATE chair back, combining the traditional and 3D plywood process.

Nowadays, there is a tendency for companies that have so far used expensive 3D plywood technology to make their products to switch to using cheaper plastic. The “Grada” developed by the Finnish UPM is a process in which plywood, in this case a thermoformable wood board, is heated, then molded and cooled (cold press). This technology significantly shortens the total working time compared to conventional pressure-treatment. They impregnate plywood with Pagholz synthetic resin, which is heat-treated under high pressure—so the material can be bent in small curves and, if necessary, can be formed in three dimensions.

Moreover, according to the latest news, plywood has already conquered space: the Finns will launch their satellite built of birch plywood this year. This is exactly the purpose of the PLY DESIGN HOUSE 2021 open call—to find a new, innovative field of application for plywood, this versatile material. Concepts can be submitted for the application until July 31, further details can be found on the website of the call.

Source of photos:

Photo 1: Eames couple. Source: https://www.vitra.com/en-lu/about-vitra/who-we-are/designer/details/charles-ray-eames

Photo 2: Eames stretcher, Source: https://www.lozidesigns.com/new-blog/2017/10/23/what-is-plywood

Photo 3: Eames LCW chair; Source: https://www.vntg.com/165189/pair-of-plywood-dcw-chairs-by-charles-and-ray-eames-for-evans-1950s/

Photo 4: Metal legs versions of the Eames chair: DCM and LCM Source: https://museumca.org/exhibit/world-charles-and-ray-eames

Photo 5: Danzer 3D plywood, Source: https://faipar.hu/hirek/alapanyag/8602/uj-korszak-kezdodik

Photo 6: FRIGATE chair, designer: András Kerékgyártó, client: Plydesign Kft., Manufacturer: Licit Kft., Photo credits: Géza Hernád, Source: Plydesign Kft.

Plydesign | Web | Facebook | Instagram


In our bi-weekly series, we share some interesting facts about the past, present and future of plywood in the PLY DESIGN HOUSE 2021 open call. Application deadline: July 31, 2021. Check the official website of Plydesign for more information!

more to read
Vegan bistro under the care of Esté architekti
vegán

Vegan bistro under the care of Esté architekti

In addition to mouth-watering vegan food, a light, relaxed atmosphere awaits those entering the door of Prague’s loving bistro. The newest place in the city opened on the ground floor of an imposing corner house in the popular Letná district, where not only can we quench our hunger, but
Recharge on the last uninhabited island of Europe!
other

Recharge on the last uninhabited island of Europe!

Also called the Maldives of Ukraine, the island has a soft white sandy beach, crystal clear water and dolphins! If you are tired of typical tourist destinations and travel to a really special place, then Dzharylhach Island is the perfect destination for you! The fifty-six-square-kilometer island is located in the
Respect and dignity in Greenland's high-security prison
architecture

Respect and dignity in Greenland's high-security prison

The capital, Nuuk, is home to Anstalten prison, which allows perpetrators of serious crimes to serve their sentences closer to home, as in the past, people who committed serious crimes were transferred to Denmark from the country. The prison, designed as a small village, is a joint project between Schmidt