American Standard to Sponsor Presentation on 3D Printing in Interior Design

On October 16th, the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library will host an hour-long presentation entitled “The Future of 3D Printing for the Interior Design Industry.” The presentation will be sponsored by DXV, the luxury bath and kitchen division of American Standard Brands. The 140-year-old company has been a pioneer in the use of 3D printing; earlier this year they released the first-ever 3D printed faucets, which we wrote about in June.

The presentation will be given by Jean-Jacques L’Henaff, the Bienenstock Library’s 2015 Distinguished Speaker and American Standard’s Vice President of Design. The talk will focus on the impact of 3D printing on the design and construction industry, with L’Henaff detailing the processes involved in designing and manufacturing the innovative faucets. The presentation will be recorded and uploaded to the Bienenstock Library’s website, for those who wish to watch it later.

“3D printing’s impact on the furniture and interior design industry is just beginning to be felt,” said Leslie Carothers, a volunteer member of The Bienenstock Furniture Library Board. “Since 1970 the Library has been a repository for historic documents, including books, magazines and catalogs about the furniture and interior design industry. This year’s distinguished speaker continues the tradition as the harbinger of the latest design trends and innovations impacting the furniture and interior design industry. Learning about the challenges of designing, manufacturing and distributing a 3D product, on an international scale from Mr. L’Henaff will be fascinating for those able to attend or listen to the presentation later on the Library’s website, and is consistent with the Library’s mission to promote collaboration among professionals, scholars, students, and all those who recognize the importance of 3D production to the future of design.”

The talk will take place just before the High Point Market, the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world. The Market is held every six months, in High Point, North Carolina, where the Bienenstock Library is located.

Before coming to American Standard Brands in 2013, L’Henaff worked as a a design executive for Kohl
er, Audiovox, and Terk Technologies. He received a Bachelor of Science in Design at Ecole Superieure de Design Industriel in Paris and has made a significant impact on the design industry with his user-centric and forward-thinking approaches, including the use of 3D printing. For those interested in experiencing his work firsthand, one of DXW’s 3D printed faucets will be installed in a first-floor bathroom of the Bienenstock Library, and will be in place for the duration of
the High Point Market.

“Three-dimensional printing is changing the way a number of industries are producing products,” said Carothers. “The benefits are highly relevant to our industry – especially the ability to create inexpensive prototypes quickly. It also allows designers to experiment with new combinations of materials, new shapes, and structures that don’t lend themselves to molds. Finally, it is ideal for making one-of-a-kind highly personalized items, and even miniatures to perfect scale. This technology is currently being used to create everything from human organs and prosthetics, to delicate aerospace parts. Why not furniture?”

If you’d  like to be sent a link to watch the presentation at a later date, please contact Karla Webb, Library Director at 336-883-4011 or email info@furniturelibrary.com