omni by Nicolas Cyr-Morton
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omni Modular furniture to fit your life. Turning small spaces into ideal places.
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intro
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overview Inspired by Sol Lewitt’s sculpture series “Variations of Incomplete Open Cubes”, a collection of 122 frame structure cubes shift the viewer’s perception to predetermine shapes from abstract forms based on Gestalt principles and mathematics[1]. Omni applies similar principles and explores form and materiality in relation to small living spaces and furniture design. While pushing the boundaries of shop-grade materials and the geometric form of a cube, the intent is to inspire user agency in the home while reducing visual and spatial clutter. The objective is to encourage a shift in the ways that furniture is used and viewed in the home.
Subtle ergonomics and a change in materiality come together to create a system that satisfies form and function through various configurations that enhance physical spatial relations. This project began by exploring forms that support psychological wellbeing through physical spatial relations with an emphasis on organization through abstraction. Although, through process and ideation, the focus of the project is to explore furniture forms that create emotional value and a sense of agency through a multifunctional, minimal furniture system. 5
concept Omni is a furniture system for people living in small urban spaces that gives users agency in the home through multifunctional, minimal, and modular forms. The refined form and materiality create emotional durability and value by reducing the amount of visual and spatial clutter in the home. Designed with multifunctionality in mind, Omni allows you to de-clutter your space while maximizing the versatility of a singular furniture system and minimizing your consumer footprint. Change the way your space looks and feels with Omni. 6
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research
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who is sol lewitt? “One of the leading exponents of Conceptual art, Sol LeWitt stressed the idea behind his work over its execution. “A blind man can make art if what is in his mind can be passed to another mind in some tangible form,” he once said. LeWitt is best known for his large-scale “Wall Drawings,” rigorous arrays of designs, shapes, grids, and colors rendered in pencil and paint in coherence with strict instructions and diagrams to be followed in executing 10
the work. LeWitt made over 1,200 of these works in his career, his visual vocabulary in strong alignment with Minimalism despite his rejection of the movement. His “structures”, as he preferred to call sculptures, were variations on geometric shapes, constructed from steel, polyurethane, or concrete, often featuring stacked cubes without sides.”[2]
Fig. 1. Sol Lewitt.[3]
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Fig. 2, 3, 4. Incomplete Open Cubes 4/5, 5/6, 7/21.[4]
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Fig. 5. Incomplete Open Cubes Revisited.[5]
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ecological considerations Omni utilizes Computer Numerical Control (CNC) routering to ensure the birch plywood is processed effectively through precise, accurate cuts, and minimal offcuts. Overall, the design can be produced using only 2 standard sheets of 3/4” plywood. Further, Omni does not use any hardware, instead using joinery and laminated assembly to enable easier recycling of materials at the end-of life stage. Although most birch plywood is not local to Vancouver, BC, research surveys determined it’s value in terms of aesthetic, home use, and familiarity while tying into the Eastern European inspiration for the form and system-based approach to this project. 14
By moving away from traditional hardwood furniture into a more modern conception of what furniture can be, Omni re-imagines furniture in terms of how it can be used and how that changes the value and perception of objects in the home. Omni aims to change the way that furniture is viewed and used in the home by encouraging people to use one object in various ways. Ideally, a multifunctional furniture system such as Omni could lead to a social and cultural shift that encourages minimalism—placing more value in practicality and less emphasis on culturally acquired values of accumulation and consumption.
MODULARITY The Omni Plane enables Omni Bases to connect and convert the modules into various configurations. The double slot system enables the seating function (angled slot) and connection (straight slot). Use it to create seating, table surfaces, shelving, or however else you see fit.
SLOT SYSTEM Three carefully positioned slots enable functionality when using the Omni Base and Plane simultaneously. The angled slot (2) converts the Omni Plane into a backrest for ergonomic seating, while slot (1) allows module connection. Slot (3) secures the Omni Plane into desired configurations.
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MATERIALITY Birch plywood is used for the entirety of the system because of its strength, versatility, and subtle natural grain. Exposed grain creates visual rhythm within the form.
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form
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function
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W: 18 in D: 16 in H: 16 in
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W: 13 in D: 0.625 in H: 32 in
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orthographic drawings
16 ”
3 ” ⁄4
Side
103° 18”
3 1⁄2”
4”
5 ” ⁄8
9 1⁄4” 4°
13”
16”
A
A
R.50 TYP
Top
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Section A-A
R1.00 TYP
Isometric
13”
4 1⁄2”
4”
5 ” ⁄8
Top
R1.00 TYP R.50 TYP
32 ”
1” 1”
Front
Side
Isometric
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bibliography [1] Reb, Michael Allen. Analysis of Variations of Incomplete Open Cubes by Sol Lewitt. 2013, Analysis of Variations of Incomplete Open Cubes by Sol Lewitt, krex.k-state.edu/dspace/bitstream/handle/2097/15809/ MichaelReb2013.pdf?sequence=5. [2] “Sol LeWitt.� Edited by Artsy, 629 Artworks, Bio & Shows on Artsy, Artsy, www. artsy.net/artist/sol-lewitt.
[3] Unknown. Sol Lewitt Portrait. Gwarlingo. https://www.gwarlingo.com/2011/sol- lewitts-advice-to-eva-hesse/sol-lewitt-portrait-photographer-unknown/.Web. [4] Sol LeWitt: incomplete open cubes, New York, 1974, (illus.). https://www. artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/works/346.2011/?tab=bibliography. Web. [5] Weychert, Rob. Incomplete Open Cubes Revisited. https://kottke.org/tag/ Sol%20LeWitt. Web.
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colophon Publication Š 2019 ECUAD All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the publisher. Product Design, Drafting & Renderings by Nicolas Cyr-Morton Photography by Kelsey McDonald Printed in Canada by ECUAD Digital Output Centre 520 E 1st Ave, Vancouver, BC V5T 0H2 Typeset in Wigrum Bold Fakt Pro Light Special Thanks to ECUAD Furniture + Prototyping Wood Shop, Technicians, and Faculty (Scott Staniland, Anna Dixon, Louise St. Pierre, Maxe Fisher, Christian Blyt) & External Advisor Scot Geib For more info visit www.nicolascyrmorton.com
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