Ribbon – The fan of the next generation

Ribbon – The fan of the next generation

Ribbon – The fan of the next generation

Taking the fan to an entirely new level, student designer Mr Benjamin McMahon has come up with stylish ceiling fan dubbed as “Ribbon”. The three dimensional geometry of the loop, gives the blade its dimensional stability and facilitates the airflow. It also channels the air downwards with greater intensity than that of conventional fans. The innovative fluid blade design gives the product a style and operation unique to itself.

The blade resembles like the ribbon and so takes its name from the form. The unique Ribbon blade provides such a difference, producing airflow equal to that of conventional ceiling fans. Though the design is patent pending, the fan with its aesthetic and elegant design makes it a fan for the next generation.

Product Description and Principal Function(s)The ‘Ribbon’ is a next generation Ceiling fan; its innovative fluid blade design gives the product a style and operation unique to itself.

The form is based on the three dimensional geometry of a helical loop which gives the blade its dimensional stability and facilitates the airflow; reconciling the air intake principles of a centrifuge fan with but with a simpler more singular form. The undulating wave of the blade reminiscent of a ribbon fluttering in the wind controls/directs where the air is displaced.

Why does the product represent design excellence and why do you believe it deserves an Australian Design Award?The distinct blade geometry that gives the ceiling fan its unique aesthetic and airflow unlike anything currently on the market essentially redefines what constitutes to a ceiling fan as a ‘product type’. That it expands the definition of what a ceiling fan is through its unique design makes it’s a truly next generation product.

Ceiling fans are an inherently sustainable and affordable method of facilitating thermal comfort and a viable alternative to energy demanding Air Conditioners, using a fraction of the energy to create a comfortable interior, yet there is very little deviation from the typical ‘three to four bladed axial ceiling fan’. The unique Ribbon blade provides such a difference, producing airflow equal to that of conventional ceiling fans.

Whereas a conventional ceiling fan will disperse the air in a plume directly beneath the blades. The geometry of the Ribbon’s blade causes the air to be dispersed throughout the room a vortex, the blade geometry also channels the air downwards with greater intensity than that of conventional fans. Though the Ribbon produces airflow velocities comparable to conventional fans, the air would be stillest directly beneath the fans centre enabling it be employed in interiors where conventional fans may not have been applicable.

The fluid sculptural aesthetics of the blades, apparent when the fan is static or rotating at a very slow speed that gives the product its identity, takes on a different dynamic when operating at speeds higher speed, the rotating motion blurs the blades into what appears to be a singular whiling loop of colour. The Steel rope arms, not be visible when in motion gives the impression of a hovering unsuspended/unattached spinning form surrounding a static central hub. This dynamic aesthetic is not available with typical axial fans and is a defining feature of the ‘Ribbon’.

Though the unique ribbon blade itself defines the design, the central hub and mounting accessories that the product is built around are components that are typical to conventional fans. Ensuring that the product may capitalise on established production and commercialisation resources; Reducing the investment costs of the product and keeping the design commercially viable: Creating an Innovative product with minimal technical risk.

As the primary aspect of the fan is the aesthetics and function of the ribbon blades, the ideas and reasoning that inspired and influenced the form of the blade may be further may be utilised in other applications the Ribbon ceiling fan is just one embodiment of an idea that may be applied to a variety of other products.

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BY M. Kogan

Hello, I am Marcio. I am an architect and designer, alma mater is Mackenzie. Retired in theory, but an architect never retires completely. Along with architectural projects, I am a filmmaker and have completed some short documentaries. Filmmaking and design are my passions. In HomeQN I write about home decoration and foundations. The goal is to teach homeowners to DYI as much as possible, and when this is not possible, enable them through knowledge, to evaluate service quotations and choose the best service technicians.

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