For Carsten, engineering starts with understanding how a structure behaves. How does vibration travel? Where does a frame move? What happens where two materials meet?
Follow that thinking through ITO’s physical testing, the PROTO-AS development study and the construction of KEO.
ITO / Structure, materials and connections
The structure.
Solid cross-sections and the relationship between components shape the design.
The connections.
Fewer separate parts and integrated functions are recurring design principles.
The materials.
Material interfaces and internal damping are considered as part of the complete assembly.
01 / ITO physical testing
From a model to a measurement.
A dedicated vibration test rig applies repeatable signals to the ITO structure. Sensors record the input and the response at the upper shelf.
Measurements feed back into the development process, connecting the physical assembly with computer simulation.
Explore the setup, its recorded signals and the computer model. Each image identifies which stage it shows.
ITO / Physical development test setup
01 / 03 · Test setup
The shaker excites the frame while sensors record the input and the response at the upper shelf.
ITO / Measured input and output signals
02 / 03 · Measured signals
The original oscilloscope display pairs the input at the frame with the response recorded at the upper shelf.
ITO / Simulated frame response
03 / 03 · Simulation
Computer-modelled frames show how structural response is studied during development. This image is a simulation, distinct from the measured signals.
02 / PROTO · ongoing development
Engineering is an ongoing process.
A development study within the PROTO family.
The PROTO-AS study explores how the frame behaves, where vibration absorbers are positioned and how steel and aluminium meet. These analysis and construction views show the engineering questions being investigated.
01 / Modal analysis
Understanding the movement.
Three views of the same model.
Modal analysis examines how the structure can vibrate. The colours show a simulated mode shape.
PROTO-AS / Modal analysis — front view
01 / 03 · Front view
Original modal-analysis visualisation from the PROTO-AS development study. The colours depict the simulated mode shape, not measured vibration reduction.
PROTO-AS / Modal analysis — perspective view
02 / 03 · Perspective view
Original modal-analysis visualisation from the PROTO-AS development study. The colours depict the simulated mode shape, not measured vibration reduction.
PROTO-AS / Modal analysis — side view
03 / 03 · Side view
Original modal-analysis visualisation from the PROTO-AS development study. The colours depict the simulated mode shape, not measured vibration reduction.
02 / Rear-fin construction
Behind the frame.
Locate the fins within the structure.
The rear-fin construction is shown alongside the analysis in the study. Switch views to highlight the fins.
Construction
Rear fins
PROTO-AS / Rear-fin construction
PROTO-AS / Rear fins highlighted
03 / Vibration absorbers
Positioned through analysis.
Position, material and mass.
Modal analysis informs these choices in the development study. The detail shows an absorber integrated into the frame.
PROTO-AS / Integrated absorber detail
04 / Material interfaces
Where materials meet.
Steel and aluminium.
The study combines the two materials in the base structure and examines the interfaces between them.
PROTO-AS / Steel–aluminium interfaces
Presented as “Ongoing Development / PROTO-AS” in the I·ctra engineering presentation, April 2026, slides 38–41. These images document a development study within the PROTO family.
05 / Cold bending
Cold-bending the PROTO-AS base.
See the PROTO-AS base element take shape during cold bending.
PROTO-AS / COLD BENDING · 0:13
03 / KEO construction & development
See how KEO comes together.
From the supporting beam to the complete rack.
Explore the supporting beam’s development, its shelf support and frame connections. Then see how these parts come together in the exposed structure and beneath the shelves of the complete rack.
01 / Structural development
From geometry to structure.
Follow the supporting beam’s development.
The sequence explores the beam’s geometry. Switch to the development component to see its position within the frame, then compare it with the rack photographs below.
Development
Component
KEO / Structural development sequence
KEO / Supporting beam — development view
02 / Shelf support
A closer look at the support.
A rocker within the beam.
KEO uses a four-point sub-chassis support with a freely rotating rocker and polymer inserts. The close-up shows the rocker mechanism integrated into the supporting beam.
KEO / Integrated rocker support
03 / Frame connection
Where the parts connect.
Beam, support arm and upright.
This detail brings the connection into view: the supporting beam meets the frame, while the side arm extends towards the front of the shelf.
KEO / Beam and support-arm connection
04 / The exposed structure
The structure revealed.
The same rack, with its shelves removed.
With the shelves removed, the three supporting beams and their connections are easier to follow. The side arms extend from the upright frame to support each shelf assembly.
KEO / Open frame and shelf supports
05 / The assembled rack
Inside the complete rack.
The beams, in place beneath the shelves.
This underside view shows the supporting beams within the assembled KEO. Their open geometry is visible directly below the wood-finished shelves.
KEO / Supporting beams beneath the shelves
KEO construction photographs and technical product information from I·ctra, shown alongside the structural development sequence.
Engineering presentation, April 2026; KEO construction photographs, technical product information and structural development sequence, supplied by I·ctra. Captions identify construction, measurement and simulation images.
