Microcosm

ISM wonder wall process

2011-12-20T11:17:00.004-06:00

Gallery Exhibit Opening Night

2011-12-16T13:35:00.000-06:00

Warped Echo in process

2011-12-12T09:47:00.001-06:00

2011-12-09T23:35:00.007-06:00

Wooden Grille - The Final Build

We have been hammering away at our workshop above Stonefly Brewery for the last few weeks an our full-scale ceiling installation is nearing completion: wood has been cut, carved, burned, and sealed and the hardware is in the works. The completed piece will measure out to 12' x 4'. Come to our gallery opening next week at BYO. More photos and renderings to come....

2011-12-09T22:35:00.005-06:00

Wooden Grille - The Island of Misfit Prototypes

In addition to a full scale ceiling installation, our team will have several exciting prototypes to show at next weeks exhibit (all of which are for sale). We no longer have a client but have continued designing with full force; these artifacts are remnants of that process.

centipede pavilion components

2011-12-06T19:18:00.008-06:00

ISM TEAM PROTOTYPE

2011-12-06T17:22:00.002-06:00

ISM TEAM SCALE MODEL

2011-12-06T17:09:00.005-06:00

Microcosm Invites You.....

2011-12-06T13:48:00.000-06:00

Warped Echos

2011-12-06T09:28:00.000-06:00

Piece for the gallery now that Wonder Wonder stopped the project

Wonder Wonder Update

2011-11-17T19:54:00.001-06:00

This design without the branching on the lower ceiling

Centipede Pavilion Prototype III

2011-11-17T13:54:00.004-06:00

2011-11-11T14:33:00.002-06:00

Honey Pie: Harvest Row

Wonder Wonder Design Refinement

2011-11-10T16:50:00.000-06:00

flower petals

2011-11-09T14:55:00.000-06:00

wonder wonder team (cityscape)

2011-11-08T18:37:00.003-06:00

the cityscape idea got denied and the client chose to go with a "branching" idea

Scaleton

2011-11-03T10:11:00.002-05:00

Tangled

2011-10-15T22:32:00.003-05:00

2011-10-07T13:38:00.001-05:00

Aluminum Twists

2011-10-06T15:57:00.004-05:00

Fluid Wave

2011-10-04T23:38:00.004-05:00

Panel Insert: Plastic sheet was heated until this fluid wave like effect was achieved

Fall for Color

2011-10-04T21:10:00.011-05:00

Shiny Dots

2011-10-04T17:57:00.000-05:00

Baguette

2011-10-04T17:51:00.001-05:00

Acrylic Coloration

2011-10-04T17:41:00.004-05:00

The combination of acrylic glue and dye to make an array of clear, crystal, and colored areas.

foiled

2011-10-04T12:55:00.004-05:00

The goal was to get the ideal hole size and density. When the light is in front you just see the crinkly gray surface, but when the light is behind you see all the holes light up like little stars. You don't see the surface anymore just the holes and the dark contrast of the opaque. It is aluminum foil crinkled glued onto acrylic sheets. Then it was painted with white acrylic paint mixed with ink, and sanded to create the holes.

Wet Dog?

2011-09-30T10:20:00.006-05:00

Timed belaching of birch veneer plywood begins to disintegrate the wood grain, along with other subsequent changes to the wood fiber. It was interesting to pursue how something that is typically hard and associated with receiving splinters look so soft.

Candied Cedar

2011-09-30T02:04:00.004-05:00

Wrinkled Wall

2011-09-29T20:22:00.017-05:00

Intestinal Ruff

2011-09-29T13:11:00.012-05:00

Fiberglass Resin + Burlap = stiff grossness

Over 200' of burlap was impregnated with resin and wound into a form to create a stiff yet visually fluid panel.

2011-08-12T15:26:00.005-05:00

Pulled out some selective color in a great photo from opening night at Jazz Gallery. Photo Credit: @Travis Nissen.

Click here (google photo album) to see a few pictures from our final production process. Good times!

Lotus Project: Gallery Photoshoot

2011-06-12T22:43:00.004-05:00

Check out the full-scale installation this summer at SARUP (in the First Floor Alcove).

Thanks again for everyone who helped out with fabrication!

Stay tuned to the blog and contact us for more information about the project.

PLEXUS Exhibition Opening Event

2011-05-09T08:59:00.000-05:00

Lotus: Illuminated Ceiling System

2011-05-07T13:21:00.004-05:00

Reflected Ceiling Plan

Elevation and Component Size Breakdown

We hope to see you Thursdays (5:00-8:00) and Saturdays (12:00-5:00)! Pictures of the final installation to come...

Wood Veneer Prototype Complete

2011-05-04T17:37:00.008-05:00

The undulating wood veneer wall system prorotype is in place, ready for the exhibition opening, before being installed in Zarletti Restaurant at the conclusion of the exhibition in Riverwest's Jazz Gallery.

from raw material to finished product 

axonometric construction diagram

We hope you will join us as our team looks forward to revealing for the first time our full scale project:

ondulazione

Leopard Landscape Prototype

2011-05-04T12:08:00.007-05:00

The Leopard Landscape prototype is based on the constraints of fire code, health code, and daylighting. We turned the Crisp Pizza Bar atrium ceiling into a new terrain of cuboids that create a warm ambiance and act as a keystone to the space.

As the different restrictions revealed themselves to us, our designs and inspirations changed with them. If it were not for this iterative process, we would not have created such an alluring design.

Above: A break down of how much time went into the processing of each piece of donated pallet wood. Now think about the thousands that needed to be processed for this project.

Below: A close up of the detail and pattern of the finished pallet wood.

Below: A section showing how the ceiling has been transformed into an exquisite terrain.

Exhibition This Thursday in Riverwest

2011-05-03T10:47:00.003-05:00

In the Making

2011-04-30T22:49:00.008-05:00

(*some assembly required)

A glimpse into the process which our group of seven is currently undergoing. The final piece to be unveiled to the public next Thursday during our studio wide gallery:

Plexus: Exhibition of Experimental Architecture

Work in Progress

2011-04-30T21:45:00.003-05:00

Two Models: Wine bottle for scale

plexus is coming

2011-04-22T22:11:00.005-05:00

Zarletti: Wood Veneer Panel Prototype

2011-04-16T12:56:00.009-05:00

The past week has been a whirlwind of details, details, and more details. Here is the prototype that embodies the spirit of the final design

Here is a glimpse of how it will look in the restaurant

A script allows us to calculate the curvature of the veneer as well as the positioning of the structural fins. The curves of one section (three adjacent panels) is pictured above. The blue circles control the density, the green circles control the peaks, and the yellow circles control the valleys.

We can't wait to unveil the final fabricated panels at the gallery on May 5th!

Aluminum Pod-Ceiling Prototype

2011-04-14T17:31:00.006-05:00

We made a big push this week to mock up a functioning field of our current ceiling pod components. We're loving the textures and light patterns so far. Maybe darker glass bottles for proper restaurant ambiance..?

Crisp - Early Prototypes

2011-04-01T13:32:00.009-05:00

Crisp- Existing

Initial Lantern Idea

Most recent "Leopard Box-Spine"

(currently on its side)

Multiple boxes would be spaced along an invisible spine connecting the data/electrical connection points already existing in the ceiling of Crisp. Differentiating in depth, length, or width could create a sea serpent-feel of diving in and out of the ceiling.

Zarletti Restaurant Installation

2011-04-01T13:01:00.030-05:00

The Site: Corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Mason Street

The Installation: The Resessed Ceiling Alcove

Prototype: Three

Prototype: Four

Leonotis Nepetifolia Pavilion

2011-03-15T23:02:00.007-05:00

A Translucent Arcade

2011-03-10T17:38:00.005-06:00

Rockosaurus

2011-03-09T16:28:00.011-06:00

We've created a monster...

Part Reptile.

Part Gentle Giant.

All Rock-o-saurus.

Rock(ite) Wall: Not For Climbing

2011-03-04T13:22:00.006-06:00

Aluminum Scorpion

2011-03-04T12:47:00.004-06:00

A field of Arches

2011-03-04T10:44:00.014-06:00

After seaming, bending, and laminating 117, 1/2" x 1/16" x 24" basswood strips, the final result is field of structural wood arches that can hold 2 standard brick, with a little deflection. I am pleasantly surprised with the final product of this project. Initially I wanted to create a structure of bending and twisting pieces of basswood, but after experiment with several parameters, such as wood thickness, lamination, glue type, and spacing of the arches on the base, a very simple and orderly configuration was decided upon. Having to regulate the thickness, length, spacing and shape of the bended wood seemed to put a lot of constraints on the project and made me believe that the final product would be very regular and very linear. However, when the project started coming together and the arches stared to to form, each laminated arch took a shape of its own. This new development help to shake up the regular patter I thought was going to take over the project. I have a few little things to tweak before its really finished but I'm pretty happy with the end result.

Time Lapse

2011-03-01T13:32:00.001-06:00

- Jackson & Paul S.

Button Bonanza

2011-02-27T13:15:00.005-06:00

Design development and structural analysis

Stringing buttons on wire to post-tension

Preliminary arches after post-tensioning

Aluminum Scorpion

2011-02-25T13:27:00.008-06:00

Biological Influences: Neuron, Scales, Turtle Shell, Starfish, Throwing Star, Scorpion, Horseshoe Crab

Prototype 2: Formation of the Tail & Skin

Goin with the Grain

2011-02-25T12:36:00.009-06:00

Using a homemade desktop wood streamer out of a piece of PVC pipe and an electric teapot, I've been able to transform static basswood strips into bending, curving and elegant (well almost) structural ribs. So far the 3rd prototype has been able to hold on standard masonry brick and with the final prototype four times the size of the last holding double that weight should be no problem. The next step is exploring the structures connection to the ground plane and addressing the bold connections through the wood.

There and Back Again: a tale of inspiration

2011-02-25T12:30:00.010-06:00

The original inspiration for this project was in the fractal organization of forests. This served as the base for designing our structural unit which is pictured here.As we began to aggregate the units, we found that there were other sources of inspiration. The lofty canopy of the forest and Cloud City (Star Wars) were early influences. We came to the conclusion that the spaces we were beginning to create were not "cavernous enough". So why not look into caverns as a source of inspiration? So we found ourselves with a cast of characters supporting our design.

Gimli son of Gloin and caverns pictured here:Legolas son of Thranduil and the forest pictured here:

Lando Calrissian and Cloud City (with Boba Fett) pictured here:With inspiration coming from our own world, a galaxy far far away, and Middle Earth we have begun to create real space. It is pictured below:

(Jackson + Paul)

Precast Construction Outside the Box

2011-02-24T13:37:00.008-06:00

Precast panels don't have to be planar. Precast isn't limited to cubes. Precast doesn't have to be boring.

In progress...

Rockite turned Furry

2011-02-23T12:51:00.010-06:00

molds created out of planting foam, carved out using clay carving tools. rockite mixture picked

up foam surface once poured, leaving a 'furry' texture once the foam was removed by hand

-ted petermann

Team "We Will Rockite You" In Process

2011-02-19T15:02:00.016-06:00

Thinking up Forms...

Paper or Plastic?

Plastic!

Generating an Army of Forms.

Connections...

So what next?
Surface Texture, Zip Ties, Craft Foam!
More on this later..

Posted By Team "We Will Rockite You" (Ted, Paul + Hollie)

Concrete Window Panel

2011-02-15T20:10:00.006-06:00

2011-02-15T12:37:00.006-06:00

These are Megan's initial process experiments. She tried multiple variations of burning and distorting wood to find just the right propety to continue on with.

That property ended up being burning wood lath that had been exposed to dish soap applied with a sponge. As you can see, the sponge technique created a beautiful array of texture and shading based on the amount of soap, texture of sponge, and colour of wood. Once the final technique was decided upon, it was time to go full scale.

This is Megan's final curtain panel. How lovely and aged it looks with fine seams of light bursting through the naturally occuring slits and knots. The leopard pattern burned into the unique grains emphasizes the unique beauty of this project.

Fiery Flowers

2011-02-11T22:49:00.020-06:00

Plastic Scales

2011-02-11T13:20:00.007-06:00

Derived from 6" plastic messenger tubes, the plastic scales were created through a method of flattening the tubes in boiling water, and were then torched on a flat surface to fuse the sides together. They were then hung on a jig and torched until the bubbles were properly articulated and carmelized. The final scales were attached using wire and placed in an aluminum frame.

Lots of soap dishes

2011-02-11T13:09:00.007-06:00

The Rockite Paradox

2011-02-11T12:59:00.016-06:00

Everything started well. At a small scale, Rockite will do whatever you tell it to.

Pour out as thin as paper? Keep any shape you put in the form? Create cool effects depending on what items you throw into the mix?

Definitely.

The problem with Rockite arises when increasing in size: Scaling up dimensions exponentially scales up weight, without necessarily scaling up its strength. Especially in tension (there's a reason buildings use steel rods for strength in tension), and when there are weak points in the single massive form.

So through trial and error, I found the best way to make thin panels of Rockite is to make it as even as possible (ridges put the Rockite in tension and shatter) while integrating a structural element or grid into it.

With bubble wrap.

This allowed me to create 12"x24" panels that were translucent in parts due to the moments where they were thinner than paper. Even the thickest part of the panel wasn't larger than 1/4". And due to their cellular structure, they didn't break.

...For the most part.

Simply put, concrete has a very particular bias against being thin, lightweight, and panel-like. Even with constant testing and finding a method that worked more often than not, concrete has a certain wish to be purely a compressive material. Preferably a single piece in compression without weak points...

Still to be uploaded: A picture of the finished frame in the window.

Quilt

2011-02-11T12:44:00.003-06:00

133 pieces, 342 wire connections

Project 1: Crystallized Gradient

2011-02-11T12:19:00.008-06:00

Initial Concept: laser-cutting at various depths without cutting all the way through the piece created reflective, gradated micro-surfaces trapped within the acrylic.

The circle pattern allowed the change the direction of the gradient throughout the panel. After testing, the final circle size was 1/2 inch diameter. A larger size circle would have made the gradient hard to read, while a smaller size would have resulted in more time cutting, more warping of the panels, and an over-stimulation of the senses. There were a total of 4560 circles in the final product.

When Life Gives You Weeds, Make Window Panels

2011-02-11T12:04:00.015-06:00

A plethora of perfectly straight, woody plants were found on the bluffs of Lake Michigan. In a later stage, the sticks’ natural color was changed by exposure to a bleach solution in varying durations.
A slotted frame proved to be a good way to hold the sticks in place. The parallel orientation and rigid form created opportunities for overlapping layers and changeable densities.

The final panel features a range of densities and patterns. The viewing experience differs as the observer approaches the panel.

Aluminum Foil: Not Just For Leftovers

2011-02-11T11:29:00.021-06:00

Step 1: Press "kill glove" against foil to create perforations.
Step 2: Push hot glue stick into foil to shape clusters.
Step 3: Burn velvet finish onto the surface of clusters.

In window detail.

Installed between third and forth floor stairwell.

this is my business

2011-02-11T09:31:00.003-06:00

this is my final

this is how i got there

Project 1: Wood and Encapso-K

2011-02-11T08:43:00.007-06:00

As project 1 winds down and project 2 cranks up, here are a few final thoughts I have had about my project. Though everything came out perfect, even though I had to patch a tear, and I had one panel fall out with no casualties, I feel a little disappointed with the process of this project for me. Like others the steps to produce my panels came very naturally with very little experimentation. I feel that I should have done more, not only to make my panels more dynamic and interesting, but I feel that I may have missed out on a chance to design through experimentation. However, as I said earlier I feel that my panel was successful in suspending wood into a pattern or state that one does not see wood in. As far as the argument of what material is really the star, the wood or the Encapso-K, the Encapso-K allows the wood to be seen in a suspended state, which the wood can't do naturally, it also shows how porous wood is, while one piece of wood is totally saturated, another still has the natural texture of the wood. As far as my process, everything kind of fell into place. I found Encapso-K by trying to find an alternative to resin, since the weather wouldn't allow me to pour resin successfully and the smell is just toxic. From there I tried to submerge the wood and create a artifact that had frozen in time effect with the Encapso-K (binder) dripping from the wood, both proved unsuccessful. Than late at night right before I went to be I thought about just pour some binder and placing the shards of wood in it. The next morning I had the bases of what turned into my final panel. I than scales up the test, which gave me insight on a lot of the elements that need to be in place to have a successful panel piece. I found that the binder takes on what ever texture it is on as it cures. For example when I tired it on the wax paper the back surface was cloudy, but when I poured it on packing tape the sample came out crystal clear. I also learned that my desk isn't exactly flat, so when my mold failed it all seemed to pool to the lower left of the frame and my desk. So as figured out I needed to have a leak proof mold, with a clear and/or smooth liner and I would have to watch it for level. Also as I scaled up for the final prototype, I realized that I needed to place the wood into the pattern I wanted starting from one side and work across the mold.

If I placed the wood in random order, when I would place more pieces, the first wood pieces that were placed would move. The displacement of the binder, though very little, would disrupt the wood pieces already setting up in the mold. I was able to deal with this better as I made the panels and as stated in class, the third panel is the most successful and is the most dynamic. I feel all of the panels could have that potential if I had more binder to play with. This is where I feel that I let my materials run own me, and not the other way around. After the molds were set, un-molding and assemble really came easy. I did have a plan B if all else failed but the panels came out perfect and they came together perfect. This is the first time that has ever happened to me, usually I'm on plan D when I present, but this one worked out.

all lit up

2011-01-16T22:38:00.000-06:00

Early Photos: Site Installation

2010-12-31T20:02:00.002-06:00

Stop by the local businesses that supported our work this semester and check out the final products! Be sure to support them as well. We reaped immense rewards through this process and hope that they find new customers and business because of it. Help us show them our gratitude. Thanks.

Hi Hat Lounge 1701 N Arlington Pl

Roast Coffee Company 2132 E Locust St
:

Grit Patterns Gallery Event

2010-12-11T18:04:00.002-06:00

Grit Patterns Gallery Event

2010-12-11T17:59:00.003-06:00

opening tonight!

2010-12-09T15:56:00.001-06:00

Sneak Peek

2010-12-04T23:13:00.002-06:00

Workin' up an appetite.

2010-12-03T21:51:00.003-06:00

Making a scale

2010-12-02T11:45:00.006-06:00

The tedious process of pounding out a scale.

studio innov8 diagrams and fullscale mock-up

2010-11-23T12:36:00.004-06:00

undulation pattern diagram

surface treatment process

connection diagram

full scale mockup with lighting

Grit Tank update. new renderings and diagrams for THE ROAST COFFEE CO.

2010-11-22T14:56:00.009-06:00

2010-11-21T16:16:00.011-06:00

Studio review with David Lewis of LTL

just joists

2010-11-13T16:13:00.009-06:00

Project progressing, no new images for now. Here's some of the latest...

One challenge we are dealing with is the antique construction at our installation site. The coffee shop is housed in a building built in the first decade of the last century. 'When 2 x 4's were two by four' is becoming a popular phrase. Beefier ceiling joists (3 x 12's approx.) are bonus for us, but where are those pesky guys? 16 oc it seems, but with no blue prints, we'll have to go exploring...

and we're off

Thanks to Chad and Therese, we've got an accurate idea of where we can hang the piece now. Our increasingly serpentine plan is going to have to cross those joists across limited spans at a minimum number of points. One step closer...

Fiber Fusion 2: Connection Update

2010-11-08T18:49:00.006-06:00

GRIT PATTERNS. OPENING NIGHT. 12.9.10

2010-11-08T18:35:00.006-06:00

roast renderings

2010-11-07T17:00:00.007-06:00

The atmosphere is electric in here... must be the caramel cosmos.

parametric pavilion... still in progress

2010-11-07T16:48:00.009-06:00

updates coming soon!

proto proto

2010-11-05T20:22:00.002-05:00

reflections in the rear view mirror

2010-11-05T20:17:00.003-05:00

2010-11-05T17:09:00.004-05:00

Scales V1.0

2010-11-02T17:18:00.007-05:00

Laser cut components.

Assembling components with rib structure.

Continuing assembly.

Complete model V1.0.

Complete system V1.0 with site.

wood is good

2010-10-30T15:38:00.005-05:00

Back to Wisconsin Built on Friday where we got a pickup and an eight foot trailer's worth of wood donated to us by Jeff Ball, founder and owner. Thank you!

The company is housed in an industrial park in Deerfield.
:

:
As a custom manufacturer, the company has a lot of waste.
Warehouses full.
:
:
A lot of the leftover product is sold in an annual 'garage sale', but Jeff was nice enough to let us pick through and inquire about pieces we thought could work for our installation. More often than not, he gave us the go ahead to load it into our trailer.
:
:
Here is less than half of what we came away with, mirrored to give you some sense of the breadth of our good fortune.
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Hi Hat Lounge

2010-10-28T13:18:00.004-05:00

Interior pics.

Innov8iv Site Model V1.0

2010-10-28T12:59:00.009-05:00

Site Model V1.0
Site Model V1.0Makin' Waves

Side Profile

steel for real

2010-10-26T22:35:00.003-05:00

----6,740 FT / 5500 LBS----

:
:

whew!

2010-10-26T15:21:00.002-05:00

last week on the grit tank project...

2010-10-25T21:48:00.013-05:00

Last week we visited Wisconsin Built in Deerfield

They too were generous with a factory tour and a material donation. The owner Jeff Ball started the business in his garage and it has grown into a major operation. Wisconsin built makes all of the interior fixtures for Noodles and Company and Chipotle nationwide. They make furniture and cabinetry for Starbucks, BW-3, Cosi, St Mary's Sprint, Au Bon Pain, Burger King, etc. The list is long. Check the website

We were taken with the level of craftsmanship and handwork that goes into the interiors that were barely notice (or appreciate.) Next time you are about to eat a burrito bowl or get down on some pesto cavatappi check out the bench, or tabletop. Its beautiful.

Here's some of what we saw.

la planete salvage

2010-10-24T22:51:00.005-05:00

SATURDAY MORNING WE WENT ON A HUNT FOR MATERIALS

WE HIT UP A SCRAPYARD

AND AN ARCHITECURAL REMNANT WAREHOUSE

IT WAS FANTASTIC

NOT SURE IF ANYTHING WILL WORK FOR THE INSTALLATION

BUT WE BOUGHT THREE FOOT TALL LETTERS FROM A VINTAGE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SIGN

I GOT THE C AND H. ALI CHOSE THE O.

V STILL AVAILABLE. ACT FAST.

where its at

2010-10-24T20:52:00.004-05:00

THE CAFE

WE'LL BE WORKING ABOVE/BEHIND THE COUNTER

2010-10-24T18:32:00.003-05:00

http://www.roastcoffeecompany.com/

Check out the story about our project on Roast's website. Wonderful news from our material donors (Wagner Rails and WI Built) we should be getting material this week. We've got an awesome client (Ryan Mason of Roast Coffee Company), there are amazing collaborations in process, it's a very exciting experience.

knock knock peck

2010-10-22T22:46:00.007-05:00

With the fortune of the steel donation comes the challenge of working with an unfamiliar material. :

: ::

Serendipitously, four of our six members are in Gil Snyder and Frankie Flood's Fabrication Methodologies class this semester. So, we visited Peck School of the Arts sculpture and metals lab to see what we can (and can't) do with our cache of material.
::

Yet another gift of generosity was found in Frankie, who readily offered us assistance with the project.

Eager to get started, we tested the feasibilty of our idea to slice the steel members into rings. The thickest piece took prohibitively long to cut and the bend in the blade made straight cuts difficult, if not impossible. Also, all cuts require sanding to smooth hazardous burrs. Small components may require too much time. But large components made of steel may be too heavy. Hm...

A quick stop in the metals lab filled out our list of potential processes available at the arts school. Anvils, anyone?