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Collection by Aaron Britt

Nature/Data at Industry Gallery

On Saturday, Industry Gallery in Washington DC opened the show Nature/Data to showcase the work of the New York–based Italian architect and furniture designer Antonio Pio Saracino. Taking the intersection of natural forms and hi-tech manufacturing, Nature/Data reflects one of designs most promising current fascinations: channeling the structures found in nature through the latest in computer-aided design processes. The result, in Saracino's case, is a small cache of furniture that owes a clear debt to both ends of the nature-data continuum. Have a look at this slideshow comprised mainly of seating for a glimpse into what the future of your living room just might look like.The show runs through October 30th.

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The Cervo chair is meant to mimic the antlers of a deer, though it also has a distinctly ribcage feel to it. Or perhaps it evokes a centipede. In any case, it's a bit of design clearly taking its cues from the repetitions found in nature. It's made of formed plywood. Photo courtesy of Industry Gallery.
The Cervo chair is meant to mimic the antlers of a deer, though it also has a distinctly ribcage feel to it. Or perhaps it evokes a centipede. In any case, it's a bit of design clearly taking its cues from the repetitions found in nature. It's made of formed plywood. Photo courtesy of Industry Gallery.
The Molecular chair looks as though it's made of just that: molecules blown up millions of times, hanging onto each other in waving strands. The "molecules" in this case are felt balls attached to a wire mesh frame. Photo courtesy of Industry Gallery.
The Molecular chair looks as though it's made of just that: molecules blown up millions of times, hanging onto each other in waving strands. The "molecules" in this case are felt balls attached to a wire mesh frame. Photo courtesy of Industry Gallery.
The Ray chair is composed of "rays" of rubber foam put together to form an almost crystalline seat. The limited edition chair was produced by Foam Tek in Italy. Photo courtesy of Industry Gallery.
The Ray chair is composed of "rays" of rubber foam put together to form an almost crystalline seat. The limited edition chair was produced by Foam Tek in Italy. Photo courtesy of Industry Gallery.
The larger sofa form of the Ray collection conforms to the same principles. When viewed from above Saracino sought to achieve a kind of pixelation, a nod to the manufacturing and design processes computer-based origins. Photo courtesy of Industry Gallery.
The larger sofa form of the Ray collection conforms to the same principles. When viewed from above Saracino sought to achieve a kind of pixelation, a nod to the manufacturing and design processes computer-based origins. Photo courtesy of Industry Gallery.
The Modular chair is a prototype made by Polimodel in Italy. The chair is comprised of two different intersecting modules made of injection-molded paper and plastic held together with steel bars. Saracino has also designed a stool and chaise longue in the same fashion. Photo courtesy of Industry Gallery.
The Modular chair is a prototype made by Polimodel in Italy. The chair is comprised of two different intersecting modules made of injection-molded paper and plastic held together with steel bars. Saracino has also designed a stool and chaise longue in the same fashion. Photo courtesy of Industry Gallery.