Zenyth: Redefining Skateboard Design with Hubless Longboard

A Unique Concept by Nicholas Perillo

Inspired by a conversation with a friend and a love for pushing the boundaries of design, Nicholas Perillo created Zenyth, a hubless longboard that challenges the traditional form of a skateboard. Combining elements from car sketches and hubless bike designs, Perillo crafted a unique and elegant longboard concept that stands out in both form and function.

What sets Zenyth apart from other skateboards is its center-less wheels, which provide an unusual focal point on an element that is typically purely functional. The rising deck and flowing form of the board create a visually striking design that draws inspiration from movies like Tron Legacy and existing hubless bike designs. The underside of the deck features a hand-cut parquetry inlay graphic, adding a subtle touch of craftsmanship and high-quality finish.

The realization of Zenyth involved a combination of traditional and modern manufacturing techniques. The aluminum parts were milled using a 3-axis metal CNC machine, with some manual milling and hand finishing. The tires were cast onto their rims using a flexible polyurethane resin. For the deck, a wooden mold was created using CNC technology, and Canadian Maple veneers were steamed, glued up with a flexible urethane glue, and vacuum pressed over the mold. The final touch was the application of American Walnut face veneers and the hand-cut parquetry inlay of Tasmanian Oak before shaping.

Zenyth measures 1250mm in length, 265mm in width, and 170mm in height, providing a comfortable and stable ride. The longboard handles much like any other skateboard, thanks to a pivot system adapted from an existing longboard truck. The rising deck, made with a flexible glue, offers excellent shock-absorbing properties, while the larger wheels effortlessly glide over cobbles and cracks, ensuring a smooth ride on any surface.

The Zenyth project was completed over a span of 14 weeks during the university semester. It was exhibited at the RMIT Industrial Design end-of-semester exhibition, showcasing Perillo's dedication and creativity. Throughout the design process, Perillo conducted extensive research, consulting specialists, observing similar processes, and continuously experimenting to refine and improve the design.

Despite facing challenges such as time constraints and limited access to machinery, Perillo successfully designed and generated a CAD model within two weeks to initiate the machining process. The complexity of the project allowed little room for experimentation, requiring precise execution and attention to detail.

Zenyth's unique design and innovative approach have garnered recognition in the design community. In 2016, it was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Vehicle, Mobility, and Transportation Design category. This prestigious award celebrates outstanding and creatively ingenious designs that incorporate best practices in art, science, design, and technology. Zenyth's technical and creative excellence contributes to improving the quality of life and making the world a better place.

With Zenyth, Nicholas Perillo has redefined skateboard design, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in terms of form and function. This hubless longboard stands as a testament to Perillo's creativity, craftsmanship, and dedication to innovation in the world of skateboarding.