VIVIAN TAMM
Much of design is grounded in a logic of predetermined form and function, where matter is shaped toward one intended outcome. My work challenges this deterministic approach by investigating what becomes possible when animate or inanimate matter is given a degree of agency in authoring its own becoming. Reframing formation from something that happens to matter to something that unfolds through it opens up a design space where the designer’s role shifts from designing a final state to shaping a field of conditions for form and function to emerge.
I have explored this design space across scales and contexts, from internationally exhibited and award-winning research projects to material- and product development in the LignoLight research group, and façade engineering at Priedemann Façade Lab.
I hold a B.A. from the Weißensee Academy of Art and Design Berlin, where I graduated with the Mart Stam Graduation Award and EXIST Women scholarship. Based between Berlin, Delft and Atlanta, I’m currently pursuing an M.Sc. in Industrial Design Engineering at TU Delft and Georgia Tech as an Honours student and DAAD scholarship holder.
email: vtamm@TUDelft.nl
Studying abroad at Georgia Institute of Technology for the upcoming semester.Atlanta, US
August, 2026 – January, 2027
90° is exhibited as part of the exhibition »Experiment und Eigensinn« by the Mart Stam Society.Berlin, DEZitadelle SpandauSeptember 19, 2026 – January 03, 2027
Cellular is exhibited at the exhibition »Gestalten für Berlin«.Berlin, DEWerkbundarchiv – Museum der Dinge,
Leipziger Straße 54April 16, 2026 – February 22, 2027
I am participating in TU Delft’s Honours Programme.
January, 2026 - February, 2027
I have been awarded a DAAD scholarship to pursue my Master’s degree at TU Delft. September, 2025 - July, 2027
I started my Master's in Industrial Design Engineering at Universtiy of Technology Delft.Delft, NL
September, 2025 - July, 2027
90° is exhibited at the 2nd Solar Biennale »Soleil·s«.Lausanne, CHmudac (Musée cantonal de design et d'arts appliqués contemporains)March 21 – September 21, 2025
90° is exhibited at the exhibition »Zeitabdrücke«.Berlin, DEGalerie Pankow, Breite Straße 8June 14 – 29, 2025
Invited talk at the GDC Circular Design Summit 2025: »Rethinking the Economy«.Stuttgart, DEHospitalhof StuttgartMarch 11, 2025
I have been selected as a fellow for the EXIST Women Scholarship.April, 2024 – September, 2025
90° won the Mart Stam Graduation Award 2024.
I graduated with highest honors (1.0) from Weißensee Academy of Art and Design Berlin.March, 2024
Cellular is on display at Architect@Work Paris.Paris, FRAvenue de la Porte de la Villette 20November 09 - 10, 2023
Cellular received a Special Mention at the Mia Seeger Prize 2023.
Cellular was awarded first place in the European Green Award 2023 in the category Young Changemaker.
Lichtreflexe was shortlisted for the European Green Award 2023.
Cellular won the iF Design Student Award 2023.
Lichtreflexe won the iF Design Student Award 2023.
Lichtreflexe is exhibited at the exhibition »Sustainability Matters« at Interzum.Cologne, DEKoelnmesseMay 09 - 12, 2023
Cellular is exhibited at the exhibition »Sustainability Matters« at Interzum.Cologne, DEKoelnmesseMay 09 - 12, 2023
Cellular won the one&twenty Newcomer Award 2023.
Cellular is exhibited at Milan Design Week as part of the one&twenty exhibition.Milan, ITVia Tortona 31April 17 - 23, 2023
Lichtreflexe is exhibited at Milan Design Week 2023 as part of Isola's exhibition »Circulare«.Milan, ITPiazza Città di Lombardia, 23April 17 - 23, 2023
Cellular is exhibited at Milan Design Week 2023 as part of Isola's exhibition »Circulare«.Milan, ITPiazza Città di Lombardia, 23April 17 - 23, 2023
Lichtreflexe is exhibited at The Energy Show - Sun, Solar and Human Power.Rotterdam, NLHet Nieuwe InstituutSeptember 03, 2022 - March 05, 2023
Cellular is exhibited at Ambiente Trends.Frankfurt, DEHall 4, Messe FrankfurtFebruary 03 - 07, 2023
Lichtreflexe is part of the Talents Ambiente program and will be exhibited at the Ambiente Fair.Frankfurt, DEHall 3.1, Messe FrankfurtFebruary 03 - 07, 2023
Cellular is part of the Talents Ambiente program and will be exhibited at the Ambiente Fair.Frankfurt, DEHall 3.1, Messe FrankfurtFebruary 03 - 07, 2023
Cellular won the Isola Design Award 2023 in the category »Innovation«.
Unfolding Shadow won the Isola Design Award 2023 in the category »Outdoor«.
Cellular is a finalist for the Lexus Design Award 2023.
Lichtreflexe was shortlisted for the Lexus Design Award 2023.
Lichtreflexe won the Architecture MasterPrize 2023 with the title »Best of Best«.
Cellular won the Architecture MasterPrize 2023 with the title »Best of Best«.
Cellular was nominated for the Green Concept Award 2023.
Lichtreflexe was nominated for the Green Concept Award 2023.
Invited talk at the cross-sectoral interdisciplinary conference Health and Comfort Human Indoor Life III.
Panel 1: House as a factory of oxygen and well-being.Catania, ITDecember 16, 2022; 04:00 pm
Cellular is exhibited at the exhibition »Good materials - The life force of matter« at Architect@Work Milan.Milan, ITAllianz MiCoNovember 09 - 10, 2022
Cellular is exhibited at The Greener Manufacturing Show.Cologne, DEHall 10.1, KoelnmesseNovember 09 - 10, 2022
Cellular is exhibited at the Green Future Club’s exhibition at Dutch Design Week.Eindhoven, NLYksi Expo in Strijp-SOctober 22 - 30, 2022
Lichtreflexe is exhibited at the Green Future Club’s exhibition at Dutch Design Week.Eindhoven, NLYksi Expo in Strijp-SOctober 22 - 30, 2022
stimulus I is exhibited as part of the touring exhibition glass – hand formed matter.Riihimäki, FI — The Finnish Glass Museum (Feb 10 – Apr 23, 2023)Boda, SE — The Glass Factory (Aug 28 – Nov 20, 2022)Berlin, DE — Bröhan-Museum (May 05 – Aug 07, 2022)
Cellular is exhibited at SaloneSatellite in Milan 2022.
liqd is exhibited at the digital Greenhouse Fair (Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair 2021).
In nature, the most sophisticated materials derive their performance through functionally graded internal structures. Replicating this in engineered materials remains a fundamental challenge. This project investigates how the adaptive growth behaviour of plant roots can be spatially programmed to produce functionally graded internal architectures. Through designing the growth substrate (hydrogel matrices with defined mechanical and nutrient gradients) the project explores how growing conditions can be used to program root development across three dimensions: spatial biomass distribution, fiber alignment, and root morphology.
An individual research project developed as part of the Honours Masters Programme at TU Delft, under the guidance of Prof. Jordan Boyle.
In conventional 3D printing, standard slicing introduces critical weaknesses when print paths cut across curved geometries. By contrast, 4D printing’s “print flat, transform 3D” logic turns this anisotropy into an advantage by naturally orienting continuous print paths tangentially to the final shape. This project investigates the dual role of layer architecture in 4D printing, optimizing the passive layer’s raster angle and layer ratio to balance shape actuation against mechanical load capacity. To achieve this, a fully integrated, in-situ 4D printing workflow was developed for the first time, enabling fully automated actuation directly on the printbed. Tested on a compliant spring, the optimized configuration achieved a threefold increase in load-bearing capacity with crack-free ductile collapse compared to conventional 3D prints, while reducing both material consumption and overall fabrication time by one third.
This Project was developed within the Product Futures Studio at TU Delft, under the supervision of Prof. Katherine Song, Iohanna Nicenboim and Zoë Breed.
Mart Stam Graduation Award 2024, »winner«
EXIST Women Scholarship »winner«
Solar Biennale 2025 // Lausanne, CH
Zentrum für aktuelle Kunst »Experimente und Eigensinn« 2026, Berlin, DE
Galerie Pankow »Zeitabdrucke« 2024 //Berlin, DE
This project was developed as my bachelor thesis under the supervision of Prof. Carola Zwick.
European Green Award 2023, »winner«
One&Twenty Newcomer Award 2023, »winner«
IF Design Award Student 2023, »winner«
Architecture MasterPrize Student 2022, »Best of Best«
Isola Design Award 2022 »winner« in outdoor
Talents Ambiente competition 2023 »winner«
Mia Seeger Preis 2023 »nominee«
Green Concept Award 2023 »nominee«
Lexus Design Award 2023 »shortlisted«
Interzum 2023 - »Sustainability Matters« // Cologne, DE
Milan Design Week 2023 »circular village« // Milan, IT
MaterialDistrict 2023 // Utrecht, NL
Ambiente »Trends« 2023 // Frankfurt, DE
Ambiente »Talents« 2023 // Frankfurt, DE
Architect@Work 2022 at »Good materials« // Milan, IT
Greener manufacturing show 2022 // Cologne, DE
Dutch Design Week // Eindhoven, NL
Milan Design Week »Salone Satellite« 2022 // Milan, IT
This project was developed as part of the international cooperation project
IF Design Award Student 2023, »winner«
Architecture MasterPrize Student 2022, »Best of Best«
Isola Design Award 2022 »winner« in innovation
Talents Ambiente competition 2023 »winner«
European Green Award 2023, »nominee«
Green Concept Award 2023 »nominee«
Lexus Design Award 2023 »shortlisted«
Interzum 2023 - »Sustainability Matters« // Cologne, DE
Milan Design Week 2023 »circular village« // Milan, IT
Ambiente »Talents« 2023 // Frankfurt, DE
Greener manufacturing show 2022 // Cologne, DE
Dutch Design Week // Eindhoven, NL
Milan Design Week »Salone Satellite« 2022 // Milan, IT
Solar Biennale »The Energy Show« 2023 // Rotterdam, NL
This project was developed as part of the studio project »Heliobolici« at the Weißensee Academy of Arts and Design Berlin, under the supervision of Prof. Carola Zwick.
This Project was developed within the computational design class at University of Technology Delft, under the supervision of Prof. Wolf Song.