Axis Fabio: Revolutionizing Eyewear with Wood

Andras Kelemen's Innovative Design Wins Silver A' Design Award

The concept of Axis Fabio was born in a wood workshop when product designer Andras Kelemen decided to create wooden eyewear without metal elements. Kelemen believes that creativity can solve every problem if tools or materials are limited. The special properties of wood led him to design a special hinge system, which is durable and has a spring effect while rotating the temples.

The frame of Axis Fabio is constructed from plywood sourced from special tree species. The outer layer of the profile and the hinges are made of ebony, while the inner layers and the temples are made of ash. A special glue used to secure the layers provides enough flexibility for the lenses to be snapped into place at room temperature. The temples of these spectacles must be rotated 170 degrees inward to close them, a unique feature in contrast to traditional hinges.

Kelemen's eyewear is produced with a 5-axis CNC milling machine. The temples and the inner layers of the profile are made of ash, one of the most durable and flexible locally grown wood species. The wooden pins and the spring-like wooden piece hidden in the frame are made of ebony, which makes the hinges wear-resistant.

Axis Fabio provides not only an environmentally friendly solution in eyewear production but also a unique experience for the user. Every Axis is slightly different because of the natural pattern of the plywood. The hand-polished wooden frame highlights the elegance of the materials, giving these spectacles further aesthetic value. The special hinge system can be seen in action while opening the temples, which is another characteristic feature of the eyewear.

The main goal of Axis Fabio was to create wooden spectacles without using metal elements. The construction had to be hard but flexible enough to avoid damage and undesired friction. As a result, ebony veneers were glued together, where every second layer was turned in 90 degrees in order to make a strong network of wooden fibers, which cannot break or split under tension. This innovative design approach led to the Axis Fabio winning the Silver A' Design Award in 2017.

Axis Fabio is a testament to the power of innovation and creativity in design. It challenges the norms of eyewear construction, offering a unique, environmentally friendly, and aesthetically pleasing alternative. With its patented design and prestigious award, Axis Fabio is set to redefine the eyewear industry.