Enneahedron
The Herschel enneahedron is a non-regular polyhedron with 9 faces three of which are exact squares. In fact it is composed from just two unique polygons repeating. From one angle it has the contour of an equilateral triangle. It is a very interesting form that is very much beyond the usual world of rectangles, circles and radii. It is visually complex but it is still memorizable. The process of looking for a new form in design welcomes such unusual ingredients.
Always pointing up
The important aspects of the enneahedron that make it so promising as a starting point for objects design are that it always sits very balanced on a surface with a point aiming up and that the triangular rhythm of it implies a good balance if there were three legs or contact points extended out of its points, edges or faces.
The natural resting position for the enneahedron shape is very stable and planted.
A square seemingly balancing on its tip.
The components
The volume is made up of clean polygons of two kinds – a kite and a square. There are overall very few angles that just repeat completing the closed form. The angles of the edges also seem useful when thinking of something like a chair or bar stool typology.
Two kites and a square.
Diamond-like transparency.
The equilateral triangle contour.
Flat pattern of an enneahedron.
Interpretations
These are some first rough spatial tests of this form working with some reduction and slicing. It is all too heavy and monumental but very inspiring to test out smaller scales and component-based constructions rather than solid monolithic typologies.
Visions
Typologies
Materials & colors