Ramus M1 table by Il Hoon Roh

Design Studio IL HOON ROH will present the first module of the Ramus series M1 (“Ramus M1”) to the public for the first time at the Salone Satellite 2013. “Ramus”, which means “tree branch” in Latin, originated from an idea that was first introduced in D Light at the Salone Satellite in 2011. The Ramus M1 is an architectural sculpture piece which combines the strengths of carbon fibre together with the structural advantages that can be found in the branch of a tree, maximising its structural strength capacity.

Ramus M1 is the latest development and creation in the designer’s long-term study of efficient forms found in nature and his passion to design works with an architectural concept and through a “natural” method that maximises the material’s potential. Ramus M1 is made of carbon fibre, which is also used in fighter jets, F1 cars and space shuttles. Precision-engineered aircraft grade aluminium alloy and stainless steel components were also utilised. Ramus M1 has been developed as a part of a modular system with future expansion and modification of the design in mind.

The Ramus M1 project was an international collaboration. For over two years, the designer collaborated with an Italian mathematics/software company, TSI s.r.l., to calculate optimum overall geometry, a UK manufacturing company, Penta Patterns (which is also involved in manufacturing F1 cars), to create a master pattern by using advanced CNC technology, and a South Korean composite material specialist, Inno Comtech, for carbon fibre. The project was also supported by South Korea’s KIDP/Ministry of Culture’s Next Generation Design Leader program.