A lightweight, shell surface is formed by layering sheets of hand-stretched silk cocoons while applying sticky-rice glue as a bonding agent. Using this variation of a traditional fabrication process, the surface of the blob can be seen as a contemporary display of the material’s beauty, while utilizing its exceptional material properties. Thus in this sense, the object can be interpreted as a mysterious creation of ‘incidental nature’.

“All along we have been calling it a ‘dumb blob’ in order to focus on the essential material qualities and the elementary form we wanted to create,” says Christian Taeubert, Director of CLOU. While on display visitors have imagined the seven and a half meter tall object as a headless duck, a vegetable like a golden or white gourd, something like a pear, or some kind of alien object.

Natural materials as a form of inspiration is not something new to architecture, however the Soft Blob is CLOU’s small contribution to harmonise both the natural and built world. It also serves as a reminder that some of the design problems we face have already been met and solved in nature itself.

Following the exhibition, the Soft Blob has found a new home in Suzhou Art & Design Technology Institute’s permanent collection of their art museum with the intention of being displayed in future exhibitions.

The four day long Suzhou Design & Cultural Expo had received 200.000 visitors this year.