FORM-FORMATION PRINCIPLES IN PAPER-BASED ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

The modern world is unthinkable without an ancient Chinese invention dating back to the second century. Simple, lightweight, flexible, widespread and readily available, inexpensive, recyclable, biodegradable, and versatile are properties which make paper a preferred material for a variety of applications – from humble packaging to bearer of cultural heritage and a powerful means for communication. The aim of the article is to explore the potential of this ubiquitous material of everyday use in architectural design and furniture design in particular. First, I will analyze the experiments with paper from a historic perspective in order to frame the prerequisites for its emergence as a structural material and to explore its traditional formal qualities. The considered projects exemplify the constructive possibilities of paper for building three-dimensional structures and refute the perceived limitations of the material in regard to its strength and rigidity. Secondly, I will discuss how modern technologies and production processes transform the inherent properties of paper and expand its form-formation possibilities allowing entirely new creative approaches. The deliberately selected examples show how contemporary designers take a new look at the material and imply its unlimited potential for future development. In conclusion the values of paper-based products are discussed.