Construction

COS and Arthur Mamou-Mani collaborate for 3D printed pavilion at Salone Del Mobile

COS, a London-based contemporary fashion brand, is collaborating with French architect, Arthur Mamou-Mani, to create a 3D printed bioplastic installation to be displayed during Milan Design Week at the international furniture trade show, Salone Del Mobile.

Mamou-Mani, the architect’s design firm, will support the design and construction of the pavilion, which will be placed throughout the courtyard of the 16-century Italian landmark, Palazzo Isimbardi. The design will consist of a series of 3D printed bricks in the form of truncated pyramids. This was done as Mamou-Mani, “wanted to create a journey from the interior to the exterior.”

This form will also include interactive elements that provide “contrast between the permanence of the palazzo’s marble and stone and the impermanence of the bioplastic,” added Mamou-Mani.

Arthur Mamou-Mani working on the design for the 3D printed installation. Photo via COS.
Arthur Mamou-Mani working on the design for the 3D printed installation. Photo via COS.

A fresh form

Founded in 2007, COS or Collection Of Style specializes in modern, functional, apparel for women, men, and children. For eight consecutive years, COS has been present at Salone del Mobile, collaborating with an array of designers, including Sou FujimotoNendo and, Snarkitecture, to construct a series of installations.

Last year, COS became interested in Mamou-Mani, following his creation of a giant 3D printed mandala for the Galaxia temple, installed at Burning Man. With experience in parametric design and digital fabrication, Mamou-Mani created the gyrating structure from 20 timber trusses rising inside the 3D printed mandala.

The temple was built as a sanctuary for the event-goers to “pray, heal and release grief.” According to Mamou-Mani, the temple is designed to help one reflect on such emotions.

The Galaxia Temple for Burning Man 2018. Image via Mamou-Mani.
The Galaxia Temple for Burning Man 2018. Image via Mamou-Mani.

Material awareness

For this year’s Salone del Mobile, COS intends to focus less on aesthetics and more on environmentally friendly installations. “There is an awareness of materials that is starting to come back in architecture,” Mamou-Mani stated to Architectural Digest.

“Bioplastics have a much lower carbon footprint than conventional plastics, and unlike petrol-based plastic, they are entirely compostable.”

The pavilion in development from COS and Mamou-Mani will also be constructed using on-site 3D printing to reduce transportation pollution and material wastage. This concept has been applied for humanitarian projects currently nominated for the upcoming 2019 3D Printing Industry Awards

“I really appreciate COS’s approach to risk-taking on this project and their openness to collaboration,” added Mamou-Mani. “That is the environment you need to truly innovate.”

The Salone del Mobile will commence on April 9th until the 14th.

Don’t forget to make your in choice for the 2019 3D Printing Industry Awards before the deadline.

For more on additive manufacturing, subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry Newsletter, follow us on Twitter, and like us on Facebook.

Searching for new talent. or looking for an AM career move? Search and post 3D Printing Jobs for opportunities and new talent across engineering, marketing, sales and more.

Featured image shows the 3D printed bioplastic modules of the Salone Del Mobile pavilion. Photo via COS.