Fractal table is a result of studies into fractal growth patterns that can be found in nature and which can be described with mathematical algorithms. Per definition a fractal is a fragmented geometric shape that can be split into parts, each of which is (at least approximately) a reduced-size copy of the whole, a property called self-similarity.
The fascination for us as designers lies in the objects’ grown and organic nature but also in its structured and mathematical quality. Both in terms of size and complexity Fractal Table pushes the manufacturing process to its limits. Fractal Table is produced by Materialise as a single piece SLA in epoxy resin. Its dimensions in cm are: L98 x W61 x H42.
Treelike stems grow into smaller branches until they get very dense towards the top to form a quasi-surface. The structure starts quite unorganized at the bottom and gets progressively organized till it ends in a regular grid, thus a progression from an approximate fractal to a fractal with exact self-similarity. To achieve this result different CAD software, both for nurbs modeling and polygon modeling, was used. Fractal.MGX was shown to the public for the first time at Moss NY in May 2009
In 2010 Fractal.MGX became part of the permanent collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. In 2011 the table became part of the permanent collection of the V&A London. Dimensions (cm): L98 x W61 x H42 Material: Epoxy resin (built through Stereolithography); hollow structure filled with polyurethane Process: SLA Producer: Materialise.MGX
