Zac Holtz Design
Platform was designed to bring the consumer closer to the construction & assembly of the bed. The conception of a purer relationship between the user & the object was built by eliminating the necessity of tools & hardware for assembly.
PULP was developed as a sustainable choice for college furnishings. Using the right material (molded paper pulp) for the right context, PULP is able to cater not only to the user, but also to its own product life cycle.
Designed with characteristics to encourage the user to adapt the object to any given context. The Pals were treated during development as utilitarian pieces of furniture whose individual and adaptable functions are dictated by the user.
Engineered to minimize material waste, Pals are made using a single 4ft. x 8ft. sheet of plywood for a complete set of four. The rudimentary joint system allows for the parts to self-align when being constructed and does not require glue; all efforts are designed to speed the process of manufacturing.
The New Emeril Lagasse show fuses Emeril's signature cooking style with night time entertainment. The production needed mobile surfaces for guest bartenders, sous chefs, and featured contests and games. As a custom commission, I created a kitchen block cart, utilizing restored wood and hardware to match the show's reclaimed, modern asthetic.
The Rosen Doors were one of the more challenging and exciting projects commissioned to me by Merge Architects. The scale and unconventional hinge system developed demanded a substantial amount of design engineering to achieve the elegant functionality that the client desired.
Emeril Lagasse's latest production, Emeril Green, commissioned me to fabricate a mobile cook top island that could suit the needs of their location-based show. The client needed a set piece that was fully functional, portable and modular to various locations, both indoor and outdoor. The result was a cook top that combines a 1'' thick solid cherry countertop with a collapsible multi-hinged body that is simple to break down, but also reads as substantial furniture when easily assembled. Details and finishes designed to meet HD standards. The piece houses a fully functional Fisher-Paykel glass cook top.
The prestigious Sasaki Associates in collaboration with Bill Bancroft Furniture developed and created this unique organ scrim. I was commissioned to be a part of the innovative installation required for such an elaborate product.
I feel an obligation as a designer to accurately interpret ideas and concepts that are presented & provide appropriate solutions. To achieve this I am constantly adapting my own design skills & further expanding approaches that may be necessary to meet the demands of unique problems at hand. Building professional relationships directly with Industrial Designers, Interior Designers & Architects has been a central element of this approach.
Much of my independent work has been developed to encourage the object(s) & user to build a personal attachment to each other. All too often the connection between the two is void of a close intimacy, helping to contribute to the problems of today's throwaway society.
If you are interested in any of my work or commissions, get in touch. I’m based out of Rochester NY but have done work as far as Boston, Connecticut, New York City, and Philadelphia. Covering all areas of the design-build process from the conceptual phase to building the finished product, I will work closely with you to ensure the right solution is reached.
