A Cross and a Table

A Cross
A Table

A Cross

Throughout his life, Dom Hans van der Laan designed several crosses. With its four measures, the cross embodies the foundations of the plastic number: its proportional continuity.

The overall form of the cross is 3 : 4.

416 cm : 551 cm

3 : 4

The large bottom arm and width of the cross relate as 3 : 4.

315 cm : 416 cm

3 : 4

III

The top and bottom arm of the cross relate as 3 : 4.

236 cm : 315 cm

3 : 4

So the four measures of the cross-formate are all related by 3 : 4 and form a sequence within the plastic number series.

236 cm 315 cm 416 cm 515 cm

1 4:3 7:4 7:3

Together they define three rectangular forms:

a vertical 3 : 4

Together they define three rectangular forms:

a horizontal 3 : 4

VII

Together they define three rectangular forms:

a horizontal 4 : 7

Read more about ‘Proportional Continuity’

Theory 3:4 Proportional Continuity

A Table

Dom van der Laan designed his furniture using its section as a pattern. Here are the basics of a table at Roosenberg Abbey. The dimensions of the leg, table top and base are the yardstick for the overall table.

Fragment of a drawing: Dom Hans van der Laan, closed table, side view and design principle, Roosenberg Abbey, circa December 1973

The table.

The table is symmetrical, so the design starts from two symmetrical halves of 3:4.

57 cm : 75.5 cm

3:4

III

The central leg is an oblique offset of 3:4.

14 cm : 18.5 cm = 3:4

14 cm : 100 cm = 1:7

The table top and the base have an offset of 4:3.

18.5 cm : 43 cm

4:3

The table top is organised as a double composition.

43 cm / 14 cm

3:4 / 1:4

The base is 3:4 of the table top.

43 cm : 57 cm

3:4

VII

The base is organised as a composition.

14 cm : 43 cm

1:4 / 3:4

VIII

The planks are 14 cm.