When innovative technology and responsible material met, a new kind of mannequin was born
Posted date: 28 Jun 2021
On May nights, in TAMK's machine laboratory, a robot-based 3D printer extruded parts of a human torso from round to round. Now the ecological mannequins built from these parts serve in the Glasshouse Helsinki concept store.
When designer Ville Kokkonen started designing Glasshouse Helsinki's new concept store and gallery, the intention from the beginning was to find different, inspiring solutions. Glasshouse Helsinki's values include sustainability and locality, and it was also wanted to be visible in store architecture.
- We have responsibility in everything and the red thread we work with here in the concept store and gallery. We are also particularly interested in new technologies, innovations and robotics, sums up Anna Vartiainen, Communications Director at Glasshouse Helsinki.
Thus, the concept store did not want to acquire traditional mannequins, but also wanted to utilize sustainable materials and new technologies in their implementation. The solution was found in polytechnics.
Kokkonen designed a mannequin, the parts of which were printed by TAMK and Savonia University of Applied Sciences with new, robot-based 3D printers. UPM Form , a bio-based printing granulate, was used as the material for the mannequins. The form consists of a bio-based plain plastic and cellulose fiber.
Thus, mannequins were not born in a mold, which is also visible and felt in the surface material of the dolls. At Kokkonen's request, the size of the nozzle opening of the 3D printer was left as large as possible so that the extrusion mark could be seen on the surface of the manikin.
Unlike traditional mannequins, these mannequins, for example, do not have reversible limbs. However, the dolls consist of independent components that can be utilized either together or separately. They are therefore suitable for a wide range of presentations.
This is actually more of an installation than a mannequin, and they are really well suited to the store's architecture, Kokkonen says.
Reference Link: https://www.tuni.fi/fi/
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