Within the framework of a partnership between the University of Montreal and AluQuébec, the objective was to rethink the use of aluminum as a structural and technical element.
The exhibition "Aluminum: A New Perspective on the Material," held from February 7 to March 2, 2019, at the Faculty of Planning of the University of Montreal, provided an opportunity to showcase our innovative exploration. Focused on the organizational needs of a workspace, my project centered on the use of aluminum to divide spaces.
I focused my research on the properties of aluminum, highlighting its excellent strength-to-weight ratio. This exploration led me to discover the works of Denis Kaskaro and José Margulis, inspiring me to create a interplay between 2D and 3D dimensions, opacity, and transparency.
My final concept revolves around a series of aluminum blades, of considerable size but with thin thickness, offering a subtle separation of spaces. Shorter blades can be deployed on the side to support or display lightweight objects.
The blades are extruded and then laser-cut, taking advantage of aluminum's versatility in terms of extrusion profiles.
To present my concept at the exhibition, I created a 1:1 scale model.
The result is a modular separator with shelves for lightweight objects, designed for institutions and open workspace environments. An illusion of volume is created by a slight offset of the blades, offering a dynamic visual experience depending on the viewing angle.
This innovative design not only provides an elegant and functional solution for space organization but also highlights the aesthetic and technical qualities of aluminum. It offers increased flexibility and customization to meet the specific needs of each user.
