B E R B E R
S T O O L
AN DRE A ESPEJEL D ES I G N PROJ ECT 2020 P R O F. H U I T Z I L I H U I T L M A R Í N T E C N O LÓ G I C O D E M O N T E R R E Y
C O N T E N T S
PRETEXTOS Idea Brief Formula
RESEARCH Berber Rugs Process
BERBER KNOT
Symmetric and asymmetric Symbols
FORMULA IDEATION Exploration Concept
PROPOSALS Proposal I Proposal II Proposal III
BERBER STOOL Description
WEAVE
Technique Materials
COLLAGE SOURCES
P R E T E X T O S Just as people look for pretexts to bring luxury experiences into their lives, the project provokes designers to look for excuses to approach the world of luxury. From the trigger question: What makes a luxury product? Different pretexts were research, such as: Origin, material, process, experience, technology, trends, vision of the future, symbolism, among others. The idea was to find particular cases of study like a technique from a particular place, a special material, an experience that some brand is carrying out, a new technology that the project could exploit, an observed trend, a theory of the future, a meaning that you want to emphasize or communicate through the objects. The challenge is to design an object that responds to the formula of the pretext. Formula: I am interested in the importance of ____ in luxury products and I found ____ to be special because ____. The project proposes ____.
R E S E A RC H The investigation explored the different pretexts that make a luxury product. This research converged in the process that is carried out in the knotted weaving of the well-known Berber rugs, from Morocco. Berber rugs date back to their elaboration from the second century BC. C by female nomadic tribes, such as the Beni Ouarain community. The process involves a series of exhaustive work steps, to result in a piece of the highest quality. The development begins with the extraction of sheep’s wool, followed by washing and beating the raw material to obtain a softer product, leaving it to dry in the sun. (If it is desired to add color with natural pigments, the material will be fired until the expected shade is obtained). After a few days of drying, the wool is brushed and spun to the desired thickness. Subsequently, the weavers cut pieces of the thread in an approximate size of 5cm, with which they begin the vertical weaving using the berber knot.
B E R B E R
K N O T
Berber rugs have been coveted and appreciated over the years by various representative figures in the world of luxury design. Such is the case of Le Corbusier, an architect who showed the world the beauty and specialty of Berber rugs through his unique designs. Despite the international recognition that this piece has received, rural artists have maintained the cultural traditions and stylistic purity that distinguishes them. Such is the case of the technique of the Berber knot and the woven symbols, since each one means something important for the Berber culture. The Beni Ouarain community uses two types of Berber knot; the asymmetric and the symmetric, where both methods allow the fabric to remain firm and no knots come out of place, creating unique and resistant pieces without the need for seams or adhesives. Likewise, the symbols used in each design evoke different meanings such as femininity, divine power and protection against the evil.
S Y MM E T R I C A N D A S Y M M E T R I C K N O T S
FEMINITY
FEMINITY
PROTECTION AGAINST EVIL
ETERNITY
S Y M B O L S
DIVINE POWER
F O R M U L A
I am interested in the importance of the process in luxury products and I found the Berber knot that is relevant to the sector because it is a method used by nomadic tribes that does not require seams and that today represents exoticism as it is a high-end collector’s item. The project proposes to explore the technique applied to the design of a stool and the exploration with other materials.
I D E AT I O N After an analysis within the research, the technique was examinated, the design concept was established and three design proposals were elaborated.
Symmetrical knot tests were performed. This was a first approach to the technique so it could be carried out in different materials applied to the design of a stool.
E X P L O R A T I O N
The use of stools or low seats has existed in different cultures throughout human history. For the Berber culture, it is a prophetic tradition and they try to follow a way of life as a messenger of God, as it is a symbol of respect and reward. The first collection, it follows the Berber’s tradition of design, respecting the symbolism of the classics. The second contemporary collection, it seeks to add symbolism to Art Deco.
MIDDLE CORNERS
MIDDLE
MIDDLE
C O N C E P T
P RO P O S A L S Based on the knowledge of Berber rugs and how they are woven through the symmetrical knots themselves, three product proposals were designed, exploring the process and using other materials such as fur and virgin material (wool), cowhide and Merino wool.
P R O P O S A L I B er b e r S t o o l
P R O P O S A L I I B er b e r C h a i r
P R O P O S A L I I I B e r b e r B e n c h
B E R BE R
S T O O L
B E R B E R
S T O O L
Berber Stool is a collector’s item that arises from the importance of the Moroccan traditions of knotted weaving. It stands out for being a seat with the application of the Berber knot; in addition to the quality of the materials with which it is made and the symbolism in the fabric.
W E AV E The fabric was made on a rectangular wooden frame 40 cm wide x 70 cm high, where the two horizontal axes (up and down) would become part of the structure with the intention of maintaining an essence of the technique. Two traditional symbolisms were incorporated into the design of the fabric, having an ascending and transverse curve, representing femininity, surrounded by two circles, alluding to eternity.
T E C H N I Q U E The symmetrical Berber knot was used, which allowed the fabric to stay in place without the need for seams or adhesives, thus obtaining a textile like the coveted Berber rugs. 25 piles were knotted across the width and 53 along the length, resulting in a weave of 1,325 total knots. For the patterns, three knots were used to give an adequate thickness.
M A T E R I A L S The sheep wool that is traditionally used for Berber rugs was replaced and merino wool was added, raising the softness and quality of the fabric. On the other hand, a base of black bovine leather was added, which extends towards the axes of the frame in the structure to keep the fabric hanging. The colors that were chosen for the wool were, as main: the natural crude of the material, black as traditional in Berber designs and a contrasting brick color, alluding to the Moroccan deserts.
M E R I N O
B O V I N E
W O O L
L E A T H E R
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Mazir
Décoration.
https://www.mazir.fr/blogs/
blog-decoration-berbere-mazir/difference-tapis-berberesmarocain -S/A. (25 de Septiembre de 2020). An authentic Berber carpet. My Green Cocoon. https://mygreencocoon.com/en/ an-authentic-berber-carpet/#:~:text=Berber%20carpets%20 originate%20from%20the,and%20sheep%20of%20their%20 herds. -Pierrequiroule Voyages. (23 Octubre 2018). Portrait of Berber Weavers in Morocco. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=wdKMOJALUiw&ab_channel=PierrequirouleVoyages -AP
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https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=gpHDezgSIdg&ab_channel=APArchive -Haja Fatima. (06 Junio 2013). Traditional Moroccan carpet 4/7. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxljz79Sb6A&ab_ channel=hajafatima -S/A. (15 Marzo 2015). Techniques du tissage. Antoine’s Tapis &
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techniques-du-tissage.html -Friendly Morocco. (20 Octubre 2020). Moroccan Berber Rugs: History & Culture. Friendly Morocco. https://friendlymorocco. com/culture/moroccan-berber-rugs/ -S/A. (20 Octubre 2020). History of moroccan berber rugs. Boucheroite
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