Stitching Concrete is a project, inspired by the versatility of the Concrete Canvas material. This method involves molding cement-infused fabric that is then drenched in water. The pieces consist of a coat of cement layered between fabric and PVC backing for support; post-soak, this combination can be manipulated for up to several hours before it begins to harden. A wooden mould is used for support during the drying process, which lasts about 24 hours. The brightly colored thread stitching is sewn onto the pieces during the final hours. The ‘concrete fabric’ combines the warmth and softness of the cloth with the stability of the hard, cold concrete, all the while maintaining a supple, malleable appearance in the finish. The project plays on the visual illusion of traditional cloths, which can’t physically offer seating support. After initially familiarizing himself with maneuvering the fabric, designer Florian Shmid tried to approach aesthetic furnishing with patterns, stitching, and all kinds of origami. For the final mock-ups, he found that thin foam rubber best simulated the qualities of the original material. The stools can be used indoor and outdoor, due to the material’s durability against UV rays and chemicals. Furthermore, these fire proof, water resistant stools are in fact strong enough to sit on.
About the Artist:
Florian Schmid, 27, is a recent industrial design graduate from Hochschule München (Munich University of Applied Sciences). Before starting his final project, “Stitching Concrete,” he spent 6 months interning at Raw-Edges Design Studio in London’s OKAY-Studios. Schmid also worked at the Schlagheck Design Studio in Munich, of which he is a graduate at the School of Arts.
For more information, visit www.florian-schmid.com.
First published in Men's Passion issue #33 September 2011
