After unveiling a highly anticipated public installation at this year’s Dubai Design Week, research and creation lab Bits to Atoms is expanding its focus on creative thinking, bringing advanced architecture and design solutions far beyond its Beirut-based office.
Developed from a merger between Blob Architectures and RapidManufactory, Bits to Atoms formed the largest research lab in the Middle East. An architectural office with a large research workshop, the firm is deeply rooted in fabrication know-how and fuelled by constant research on materials and techniques.
Led by architect Guillaume Crédoz, whose practice spans from art and architecture to the design of appliances and machines, Bits to Atoms showcased its expertise by conceiving the interactive feature ‘Yowalah’ as part of Urban Commissions, a programme supported by ARM Holding, at this year’s festival, which offers play areas for kids, as well as a space for sports and gardening using 3D-printed beams assembled into frame beams to ‘weave’ the fabric of a healthy society.
“I think the theme of this year’s Urban Commissions was quite right at guessing that people, post-COVID, were looking for fun and sport, outdoor activities, and enjoyable, sharing public spaces,” Crédoz said.
Having worked in France, Canada, Turkey and Syria before settling in Lebanon, Crédoz was instrumental in launching the first 3D printing company and 3D printer in the Middle East, and has embarked on a unique study and research into post-industrial crafts.
As part of this exploration, the firm also showcased ‘Pulp Fusion’, a research project geared towards the replacement of plastic chairs though sustainable solutions, as part of an exhibition for the Abwab installation “Nature in Motion’ during Dubai Design Week.
According to Crédoz, Pulp Fusion is an attempt to reduce the negative environmental impact of production by creating a positive solution after furniture is discarded and allowing plants to grow from it.
“We hope to be able to build more urban installations to fit a myriad of conditions, while proving that 3D printing durable structures from recycled plastic is possible,” Crédoz added. “We are also working on 3D printing clay in a larger format with robot arms as well as creating metal forming with robot arms.”
Bits to Atoms is expanding its business to France, where it hopes to franchise its 3Dprinted furniture, and will also continue its research into Post-industrial crafts in Kuwait in the near future.