Portfolio John Weber

Folded Sheets

Exhibition at ZKM Pavilion 2025

Folding
Folding transforms flat sheets into rigid, three-dimensional structures. Inspired by paper folding,the process uses precise cuts and bends to create stability and unique shapes without additional reinforcements. By introducing tension into curved surface and sharp creases, the material gains remarkable strength, far exceeding its original flat state. The folded forms challenge the perception of steel as a heavy, inflexible material. The resulting shapes appear light and delicate, resembling paper in their visual softness. Yet the folds create robust designs capable of supporting heavy weights. Each piece in this collection is crafted from a single sheet of cold-rolled steel. Folding as a way of crafting the shapes minimizes waste by relying on a singular material rather than a composite.







Design process and inspirationThe "Folded Sheets" collection was born from a desire to rethink how industrial materials like steel can be transformed into functional designs. During an internship at a design studio, I encountered the challenges of creating three- dimensional forms from flat sheet metal using cost-effective, small-series methods. Industrial manufacturing methods often exceed the budgets of small-scale production, prompting me to explore alternative techniques. As a child, I rebuilt planes and cars I saw in movies out of paper, using nothing more than folded paper and tape. While store bought toys like „lego“ were limiting in options and shapes, paper was limitless in what I could create.
From this experience, I tried to draw inspiration—not limiting myself to what can be done in a CAD computer program but experimenting hands-on with how a sheet of paper behaves when folded in various ways. Just as paper folding was easy to access and limitless in form, sheet metal bending is easily accessible to a small-scale designer. The collection is a direct transfer of my paper models.







Infographics by Nicolas Poirot







Steel BlackeningSteel blackening is a nearly forgotten preservation method. Without protective coatings, steel will corrode over time. In this technique, the steel is heated and coated in linseed oil, which reacts with the surface to form a protective black oxide layer. The process not only prevents rust but also tempers the steel, enhancing its rigidity and durability.
Unlike modern rust prevention methods like galvanizing or zinc coating, blackening is environmentally friendly and produces minimal waste. Steel blackening aligns with the low-budget folding technique in a way that it is also achievable without industrial machinery. By carefully monitoring the temperature and the amount of linseed oil applied to the sheet metal, a variety of finishes can be created. Colors ranging from blue, yellow, and green can be seen in the resulting oxidation layer. With each application of linseed oil, the surface becomes darker until it eventually results in a deep black color. Underneath the black surface, the previous hues of blue, yellow, and green still shimmer through. Steel blackening aligns with the low budget folding technique in a way that it is also archiveable
without industrial machinery.

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