about
Meta means to transform, a change or transformation, a highly organised or specialised form of the art.
The Metaform design competition and exhibition is derived from this idea of transformation. Metaform encapsulates the idea of designing with natures system of transformation and renewal in mind. As designers and craftspeople we need to help the process of environmental renewal through choosing materials that are renewable and sustainable. Metaform also endorses the great potential of New Zealand's furniture craftspeople and designers and their ability to transcend traditional boundaries with their art form.
the opportunity
Designers are being given the opportunity to be the first to work with an innovative new material through the launch of an exciting design competition, Metaform.
Metaform 03 encourages designers to show how innovation and design can work together to push traditional boundaries. Designers will have the challenge of exploring the potential of Green Seal - a new product which has the appearance and performance characteristics of a hardwood, yet comes from sustainably managed New Zealand plantation forests.
Green Seal is produced through technology developed in New Zealand by Forest Research, Carter Holt Harvey and Pacific Hardwood. Metaform 03 will bring together design, technology and our increasing awareness of the importance of environmental sustainability. Designers will be judged on the use of the new material as well as the concept behind their work of art, which should illustrate how design can reduce the impact we have on the environment.
The Auckland Museum will be exhibiting the works from the winners of the competition in a display that will give designers the chance to show the public examples of innovative New Zealand designs created from sustainable resources.
Three of New Zealand's design schools, Unitec School of Design , Massey School of Design, Fine Art and Music and Victoria School of Architecture and Design will be taking part in the competition as part of their curriculum. Green Seal will be supplied to the schools to allow students to become familiar with the properties of the product. Judges for the competition have been chosen to represent a broad spectrum of design industry. Judges are Designer/Maker Humphrey Ikin, Industrial Designer Mark Pennington, Architect Pete Bossley, Lecturer of Industrial Design and Furniture Designer Tim Miller, and Design Management Course Director Pradeep Sharma.
the material
Green Seal - Pouring Wood Into Technology
Few materials, if any, are as versatile or long lasting as a rich timber. Today, many hardwoods are not sustainable and are gradually decreasing in age and size. Green Seal, however, is a truly sustainable hardwood alternative. It is produced form plantation timber and cellulose from annual crops such as maize.
Green Seal offers a new and innovative solution by providing a more sustainable natural solidwood product. Th principle is based on infusing a natural cellulose bio-polymer treatment into wood cells. As the wood cells are cellulose, it is effectively like adding more wood. The process gives increased density, strength and stability to the wood.