an articulation that adapts to variation rather than standardizing it
Omnibite by Eugenio Costa begins when a branch is cut, held and turned in the hand before anything is assembled. The project proposes a shift in self-construction that takes construction back to the moment of material collection, where the wood is still irregular, untreated and open to interpretation, by introducing a three-axis joint with a quick-lock system that connects raw branches without screws, allowing the natural elements to become a structure with minimal preparation.
Instead of standardizing the material, the hinge allows for variations thanks to its geometry, which adapts to different diameters and angles, holding each branch in place through a system of clamps and interlocking plates. The bright, mechanical components contrast with the organic surface of the wood, making the act of connection visible and immediate. In this way, the articulation does not hide the construction but frames it as an ongoing negotiation between precision and irregularity.
all images by Eugenio Costa
Eugenio Costa’s omnibite builds from landscape to structure
As the branches pile up, they begin to define a frame. A chair emerges, its proportions driven as much by available material as by intention. The system translates scattered fragments into habitable form, where each connection stabilizes a larger configuration.
The project is based on research on local wood species found in Lombardy, treating the surrounding landscape as both a resource and a knowledge base. Each type of wood has distinct structural properties, influencing how it is selected and used. By focusing on what is readily available, Omnibite suggests that construction does not begin in the laboratory, but in the act of recognizing possibilities within a particular environment.
Milan-based product designer Eugenio Costa makes creation less about assembling predetermined parts and more about engaging with the material as it is. Omnibite remains in the pre-build stabilization space where a branch is selected, tested and understood.
Irregular wooden elements are held in place by adjustable clamps and interlocking plates
The three-axis joint connects raw branches without screws through a quick-lock system
the joint works in three axes, stabilizing connections at multiple angles
