Silicone Reimagined–MarbleSil by Hannah Williams Studio
by Purva Chawla
Stretchy, flexible, resilient, and moldable–many properties have made Silicone the versatile and multi-functional material it is. From sealants to adhesives, to applications in medicine (think implants), aerospace, kitchenware, toys, and both thermal and electrical insulation–the liquid and solid, rubber-like states of this material have been used widely since the early 1900s.
Easily confused with the element Silicon, it is valuable to understand the difference between the two. Silicon, a naturally occurring chemical element, is the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust after oxygen. Its properties as a semiconducting metalloid have paved the way for its use in the crystalline form to make integrated circuits (electronic chips) and solar cells.
Silicone(s), on the other hand, are several compounds that contain silicon, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and other types of atoms as well, lending them very different physical and chemical properties. The properties include low thermal conductivity, thermal stability in the face of wide temperature ranges, low chemical reactivity, water repellence, and resistance to microbiological growth.
It is these technical strengths that designers are increasingly capitalizing on, along with the aesthetic versatility and formability of the material, to create beautiful and resilient new products.
Take the example of Shore Rugs, who have taken a formerly industrial Silicone tube format and transformed it into a bespoke medium. They extrude their Silicone cord in two gauges, colored in beautiful solid and ombre hues, and use them to weave rugs that are unique, long-lasting, and outdoor-friendly. Similarly, Korean designer Jeong Greem has worked with silicone foam tubes – a material often relegated to construction, where it is used to protect wires and pipes–to generate what feels like 3 Dimensional doodles. Turning 2 Dimensional line drawings into robust Silicone forms, functional furniture like chairs, benches, tables, and lamps were created for his Mono collection.
Today, our focus is on London-based designer Hannah Williams, who has re-invented and widened the possibilities for Silicone yet again. The Royal College of Art graduate has developed a swirling, marbled aesthetic for her luxurious, handmade material ‘MarbleSil’ and several tactile, interactive formats that it can be utilized in.
What fascinated us most about Hannah’s use of Silicone, was not only her rich and varied use of colors but the number of different ways in which she has molded MarbleSil and made it accessible to users. From a solid sheet material in various thicknesses to recycled-carpet backed flooring to 3D objects like chairs and tables, all cast entirely from marbled Silicone–Hannah’s offering is holistic and inviting to designers and consumers alike.
MarbleSil by Hannah Williams Studio
Across these uses, and varying qualities needed, MarbleSil doesn’t lose its pleasing flex, and how inviting it is to touch and interact with. At the same time, Hannah works with the material’s resilience and end of life behavior to suggest the most sustainable use and re-use. While Silicone cannot biodegrade or decompose easily, it can be recycled with specialist recyclers to achieve high-quality material and good yield. Hannah endeavors to generate as little waste as possible during her making processes, and through her take-back program, recycle her raw material endlessly.
Here is MD's recent interview with Hannah William Studio.
MD: What prompted you to develop MarbleSil?
HW: I originally studied Womenswear at the Royal College of Art and developed clothing made from Silicone. I’ve always been so inspired by sculpture and how industrial materials are used there. After graduating, I realized the endless possibilities within Silicone as a material for interior objects and design and used these insights from my MA to further develop MarbleSil.
MD: What are the USPs of the material, you feel?
HW: MarbleSil has some extraordinary properties, such as heat resistance– you can literally put boiling hot plates, straighteners, etc. directly onto the material without it burning. The material can withstand a range of temperatures from -59°C to 260°C. It is slip-proof and waterproof–making it great for bathrooms, yachts, swimming pools, and several indoor and outdoor uses. It also has a high tolerance to impact: as the material is soft, if a fall were to occur, it would instantly absorb the shock.
MarbleSil by Hannah Williams Studio
MarbleSil by Hannah Williams Studio
There are many different applications of MarbleSil, and one of them is being backed onto reclaimed carpet. This format can be used for wall-coverings and flooring. For me, as a designer, sustainability has a huge role to play in what I create. I also try to have as little waste as possible in the studio, by re-using leftover set Silicone from mixing pots, which can be reworked back into new designs, using a Terrazzo effect. I also want the MarbleSil brand to be about lifetime pieces. The idea being that a product I create for a client can be sent back to me after any amount of time, and can be reworked into something new for them (or others), rather than being discarded.
MD: What are the formats one can access in MarbleSil?
HW: MarbleSil can be used in any shape or format, from furniture to flooring and wall-coverings. It is such a diverse product that anything a client desires is pretty much possible. The thickness of the material begins at 2mm, and can then go up to any thickness required. MarbleSil is extremely bespoke, and any color can be created to a client’s specifications–the number and types of hues included in the marbling can be customized. Each color used in MarbleSil starts off as a primary color and is then hand mixed. The Silicone has its own way of moving. Therefore no two pieces will ever be the same, giving each client a truly bespoke design.
MarbleSil by Hannah Williams Studio
I provide existing samples for reference and a bespoke sampling service, where I work from either a RAL chart or an inspiration image to create a custom set of samples. After this, the design details are looked at for the best application for that specified context. The lead time, depending on the scale of the project, can be anywhere from 2 weeks upwards.
MD: What response and sensory impression have you observed to the material?
HW: MarbleSil is definitely a talking point. Having recently shown it at 100% Design as part of the 2019 London Design Festival, the response was overwhelming. Not only did people within the industry love the appearance and properties, one of the things that people were most surprised by, was the feel of the product. Nearly every person believed the material would be hard to touch, when, in fact, it is soft and squishy, giving it a substantial sensory appeal.
