House Of Benson

Iron Man

2010-06-09T06:40:00.001-07:00

Light Warfare

2010-06-07T09:53:00.000-07:00

Behind the scenes after the break.

Via | Nerdcore | Gizmodo |

ProjectiOne's bubble-wrap bathroom

2010-05-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

As a blogger I have to go through hundreds of websites a day, giving me a bad case of short-attention-span-itis. I can't remember the last time I saw even a four-minute video that kept my attention all the way through--but watching the bitMAPS project by design collective ProjectiOne did the trick. Watch as they use vacuum forming and a CNC machine to build out a bubble-wrap-inspired bathroom interior for a client:

bitMAPS was initiated through a client’s interest in a sketch prototype, and developed as an inexpensive patterned wall system. It integrates a custom design through a repeatable mold and integrates multiple functions of the room. The project is intended to create a clean but complex texture that is engaging to sight and touch, encouraged through embedded switches, custom storage compartments and openings for light and air ventilation.

The prototype was developed using sheets of intentionally pierced bubble wrap as a vacuum form mold for plastic panels. The process was further refined with a repeatable High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) mold. The dimpled panels are created by vacuum forming .06” white polystyrene over the mold. Edge conditions were particularly important to address, each panel had to interlock perfectly to generate the appropriate tiled effect using a hexagonal “bubble wrap” pattern. Positive, negative and flat plugs were milled and inserted into the mold based on printed templates. Oriented strand board was milled for each panel to accommodate for the negatives of the corresponding polystyrene tile, acting as spacer and providing the system with rigidity.

The patterning of the panels originated from a bitmap image. Each pixel was carefully choreographed to communicate a pattern at multiple scales. This tuning was achieved using a specifically designed grasshopper definition; slide bars allowed for variable proportioning of positives negatives and flat pixels, as well as variations in distortion and noise.

For this specific residential application, bitMAPS was applied on two walls and the ceiling of the client’s bathroom. Fluorescent cove lighting was integrated, washing the adjacent painted walls with light. Many features of the space which would normally be separate components were integrated into the paneling system, resulting in an unbroken pattern. The light and vent switch are completely hidden, integrated behind the panel system using capacitance sensing. Simply moving your hand in front of the specific dimples engages either the lights or fan. The “console” houses the majority of the bathroom’s accessories. Custom panels extrude and recess from the rest of the system, hiding the magazine rack, toilet paper dispenser, and iPhone holder within a series of polycarbonate shelves. Other considerations such as the fan vent and skylight feature perforated panels allowing the passage of light and air.

The balance between analog and digital techniques was critical to this project. Because the vacuuming forming process reveals every imperfection in the mold, it was necessary that the base mold and plugs be precisely machined. The timing of the vacuum process required similar precision in order to maintain consistency throughout the project. In order to remove the excess material after forming, a stationary armature was attached to the bed of the 3 axis router, locating the part for cutting by a saw bit.

This project has provided an opportunity to develop an idea into a feasible product, which incorporates building systems and various functional elements while serving to define space. The integration of a unique, client-driven, pattern into this system adds another layer of meaning into the finished piece that addresses a client’s specific needs. Hopefully, this process will lead to future clients and further development of the system.

Via | Core77

The Alphabet | JDS Architects

2010-05-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

From the JDS Architects:

'The Alphabet' is the name of the first joint project between ewo, the manufacturer of superior-quality lighting systems, and the inter-disciplinary team at JDS ARCHITECTS. The project in the ewoLAB series will be revealed to the public for the first time at Frankfurt's Light+Building from 11.04 to 16.04.
The idea here was to develop a lighting system, which in terms of both form and technical specifications, meets project requirements.
Julien De Smedt, JDS ARCHITECTS:
'Different places and spaces should be lit differently. How to adapt lighting to places without always changing design? This lamppost family functions as an alphabet of light, where each configuration is a new letter to light up a specific context. The design is almost invisible, just a simple round steel profile perforated randomly to let some light come out. The addition of elements composes the shape of the lamppost in an infinite range of combination to adapt to the light’s surrounding requirements.'

via | blue ant studio

test post

2010-05-16T18:05:00.001-07:00

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The Vanishing of the Bees

2010-05-13T06:08:00.001-07:00

Jessica Gomez thinks you're amazing

2010-05-07T05:12:00.000-07:00

"If I was a little less hot I'd so date you"

via [Esquire]

Paul Rudd's Computer Is Way Ahead of its Time [Humor]

2010-05-06T19:43:00.001-07:00

Paul Rudd's Computer Is Way Ahead of its Time [Humor]: "

I'm not sure what sort of prototype processor he's running here, but the stuff his computer can do is pretty amazing. It's like a glimpse into the future! Thanks, Paul! [Belmont] More »

"

frogdesign's vision of 2020: All about the infographics

2010-05-06T19:43:00.000-07:00

frogdesign's vision of 2020: All about the infographics: "

The year 2020 seems to be shorthand for the future. In 2008 CNN and Ericsson collaborated on 'Just imagine...what will life be like in 2020?' while 2009 saw the creation of the 'Vision 2020: Considering the World and the Future Architect' project.

This year frogdesign, prompted by Forbes, sounded off with 'Envisioning Your Future in 2010.' Hit the link to check out their ThingBook (augmented reality), Bodynet ('like Google for our bodies') and Whuffie Meter (turning social networking capital into actual currency) concepts.

Incidentally, frog's images remind us of the awesome and undercelebrated infographics laid over Will Ferrell by MK12 Studio for 2006's 'Stranger Than Fiction.' The footage is sadly unembeddable, but you can see it by clicking here.

(more...)"

Post Two Hundred Seventy

2010-05-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

Post Two Hundred Seventy: "

Cool Hunting Video Presents: Mast Brothers Chocolate

2010-05-04T19:53:00.000-07:00

Cool Hunting Video Presents: Mast Brothers Chocolate: "

In this latest Cool Hunting Video, we visit Brooklyn to tour the Mast Brothers' bean-to-bar chocolate factory—one of just a handful in the U.S. The chocolatiers, Rick and Michael Mast, walk us through their uniquely intensive process, DIY machines, and a little of their food philosophy.

On the Street....Blizzard 2010, New York City

2010-02-11T04:56:00.000-08:00

Looks Like Google May Have A Super Bowl Commercial

2010-02-06T18:33:00.000-08:00

Looks Like Google May Have A Super Bowl Commercial: "

While Google is a company built on advertising, for the most part it has stayed out of advertising itself on the dominant medium: television. Yes, there have been those short ads for Chrome and a few for Android that it has been involved with. And Google is even said to have considered an ad during the Olympics, but that was killed at the last second, apparently. But now, it looks like Google may be ready to advertise itself on the biggest stage possible: the Super Bowl.

Titan “Multitool” Collar Stays with Screwdriver and Bottle Opener

2010-02-06T14:03:00.000-08:00

Titan “Multitool” Collar Stays with Screwdriver and Bottle Opener: "

We all need this one. A titanium “multi-tool” collar stay from Exuvius that features a built in Phillips screwdriver and bottle opener – two essentials for the urban man. How many times have you been over a friend’s home and they needed a dresser knob tightened (don’t answer that). ”Useful people are winners; so be a hero, save the day, and make sure that this titanium laser-cut collar stay is the only tool in your shirt.” All this for 39$US. (notcouture)

More looks at the Titan Collar Stays after the click.

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