French designer Vivien Muller has come up with a concept for a radiator that looks deceivingly complex but in effect, the idea is as simple as its construction. The cube is made of 512 individual 90-degree plumbing joints.

A basic “module” involves connecting eight joints together to form a perfect cube. This eight-by-eight procedure of connecting the joints is repeated until you reach an assembly of 64, and finally, 512 (see illustration below to get a clearer picture).

Vivien explains that the idea here is to “maximize performance of exchange surfaces” and was inspired by the Peano space filling curve for the radiator’s shape. The result is an excellent heat output from a 2 m² surface area packed into the 34 cm³ cube.

Besides achieving its functional purposes, the Octocube makes for an interesting sculpture in one’s living space.

And according to Vivien, the thermosensitive PVC that goes into moulding the joints change color according to the water temperature inside the tubing, hence making the radiator appear to glow.

The designer tells Goldarths Review that he is currently working with his firm Metz Atelier Design to produce the Octocube.

Vivien Muller

via designboom