13-25 September 1993
This Interdesign sought to develop a number of solutions for developing new products using reforested wood, linking creative design concepts to the best and most suitable technologies. At the time, there were over 800,000 hectares of reforested pine wood trees in the Brazilian states of Santa Catarina and Parana alone that were grown enough to be cut down and put to use. The hurdle that Brazil faced was their lack of adequate technologies, which prevented industry from taking full advantage of its own natural resources. It is for this reason that the Interdesign workshop sought to develop creative uses for reforested wood that would help to stimulate Brazil’s competitiveness nationally and internationally. In order to tackle different problems, each group of participants was assigned various criteria.
Projects
The Pine System
The group proposed the development of a modular system using reforested pine by curving, gluing, and laminating reforested pine wood to create a product family which included a shelter, sales and information kiosques, seats, urban and tourist information/advertising stands, waste disposals, flower vases, signage systems.
Urban Equipment
The need for urban equipment arose from Brazil’s need to combat its lack of differentiation from one city to another. The group’s designs consisted of certain typological elements that were used in repetition. Concrete was used as a base on which some or all of the design elements such as laminated structures, coverings, seat and seat back, and locking devices for use in public areas, commercial stands and bus stations.
Housing Structure
This team was to consider social and economic differences, certain preconceptions towards wood materials, and wastage. Proposals included a pre-fabricated house system characterised by its versatility and flexibility in combining pinewood with other materials.
The First Roof
A concept that pertains to the full ownership of a home and/or property. The objective of the project is to accentuate the formal qualities of a traditional house and to avoid the language normally found in prefabricated homes. As a response, a set of basic components were developed and joined together with screws.
Home Furniture System
The group proposed a living room furniture system with units of different dimensions, repeating modular units, curved elements, a dining table and chairs in which accommodations are highly variable, and modular storage units allowing the user to organise their furniture as needed.
Rede Chair
The design solutions proposed originated back to the traditional hammock reworked into an outdoor leisure chair and were available in an array of colours, with ease of dis/assembly, and transport in flat boxes.
The Southern Tables
The emphasis was on interior architecture wherein certain implied values such as increased sociability through cultural mixing, the joy of living, and unique identity were among the criteria identified. As well, the design required integrated functionality (i.e. useful for mealtime, and to hold meetings), and its construction was to be made of a material with a strong identity (i.e. pinewood is known for its monolithic appearance).
School Materia
The proposals offered solutions which considered the relationship between hard and soft material, made use of curved shapes, are appropriately designed for local production, enhanced the texture of pine, and allowed for construction of a system that promotes customisation of products
“Gralha Azul” Visual Search
This group’s task was to encourage greater acceptance of softwood (pinus) and establish a range of structural and decorative features using softwood in combination with other materials. They conducted research on this wood species, and developed sketches and models for use within interior environments.
