The Hidden Colour of Oak 

 Graduation project

Design Academy Eindhoven

2018 

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The Hidden Colour of Oak showcases a natural quality of oak that causes a dramatic change of colour, in three pieces of furniture. Oak contains a high percentage of tannic acid. This protects the tree against bacteria and insects and keeps it strong. When tannic acid comes into contact with rust, an oxidation process takes place between the tannic acid and iron that turns the wood from brown to dark blue. This colour change is seen as a disadvantage, however, I perceive it as a quality of the oak. Therefore, I make this uncontrolled process verifiable, by using a liquid form of vinegar and iron oxide which accelerates the reaction.

By placing the step of colouring within the process - in stead of at the last - several parts of the design will visually distinct from others so that each piece of the whole gets its own attention and importance.

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Find more images on the research at Oak in research

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The Hidden Colour of Oak was on show at Dutch Design

in the Philharmonie Haarlem from February 20019 until May 2020.

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