The VENDÔME project takes a precondition of endless transformation as its point of departure. Originally commissioned by DESIGN MIAMI/ BASEL and first introduced in Basel in June 2008, VENDÔME consists of a set of 99 one-off concrete objects, each generated through the use of a custom-made piece of software programmed by the designers. Given the material – concrete – as one of the central parameters for the commission, the question arose of how to reconcile the conflict between dynamism and stasis, between the transience of software and permanence of concrete.
In line with their earlier projects, VENDÔME aims at parametrically generating a family of objects with different typologies including stools and tables of different height. In this regard, it can be seen as a logical continuation of their crucial project Breeding Tables (2003–ongoing). The design is developed within and documented by a piece of software programmed by Weisshaar and Kram that generates an infinite number of proposals while flexibly reacting to changing parameters (e.g. the height, width or depth of the object). The proposals are then singled out and fine-tuned by the designers. At the press of a button, a selected geometry is processed and the 3D CAD drawings for the casting mould are generated and passed on to numerically-controlled machines.
While the Breeding Tables project is restricted to a single furniture category, namely tables, VENDÔME opens up to a wealth of potential typologies and thus to multiple possible interpretations: stool, stand, bench, table, or sculptural object. VENDÔME expands the reach of Weisshaar and Kram’s concept of producing a multitude of individual, unique pieces of furniture, making use of the full potential of current production technologies. The edition consists of 99 unique copies.