Posts Tagged ‘transformational’

Expancel

Unexpanded Expancel thermoplastic microspheres are small plastic particles that contain a droplet of liquid hydrocarbon. When heated, the plastic shells soften and the liquid builds pressure causing the particles to expand. The result is gas filled, thin walled particles of extremely low density. The...

November 11th, 2011 | feature, plastic | Read More

Adaptive Shading

For an architectural project located in a desert climate, Hoberman Associates was asked to design a roof covering for an open-air plaza. They created a kinetic design that works off an operable grid. In its covered configuration, the shading roof appears similar to a coffered ceiling; yet when retracted,...

September 16th, 2011 | feature, metals | Read More

Dukta

Dukta is a timber forming system that uses precise incisions to impart flexibility. Developed by Christian Kuhn and Serge Lunin, the method allows stiff wood panels to be easily shaped in three dimensions. The near rubbery flexibility is achieved with staggered, regularly arranged incisions. Different...

September 9th, 2011 | digifab, feature | Read More

Metal Series

B.lab Italia’s “Metal Series” surfaces contain liquids infused with metal particles that are trapped within resilient a polymer shell. The result is an interactive floor tile or horizontal surface that responds to pressure as well as electric charge. Building occupants’ footsteps...

July 29th, 2011 | feature, plastic | Read More

Jali Cascata Zari

Sensitile Systems’ Jali Cascata Zari panels combine the light refractive properties of their Jali series of panels—acrylic-based composites designed to harness and extend the intensity of ambient illumination—with the color dispersion of a dichoric film layer. The result is a visually-arresting...

July 8th, 2011 | feature, plastic | Read More

Fuzzy Light Switch

International Fashion Machines provides private research and consulting in electronic textiles to a variety of clients, industries, and the military. They work with the latest electronic yarns and a variety of textile processes including embroidery, sewing, weaving and braiding. IFM also creates electronic...

June 27th, 2011 | textile | Read More

Digital Dawn

Designed by Rachel Wingfield, Digital Dawn is a textile that responds to environmental stimuli. Digital Dawn functions as a traditional window blind with a reactive surface that is in constant flux, growing in luminosity in response to its surroundings. Wingfield intended Digital Dawn to emulate the...

June 13th, 2011 | fiber | Read More

Self-Repairing Matrices

The fact that structural damage can go undetected in many materials means that some products are often over-engineered. However, substances that can provide information about their internal stresses—as well as trigger reliable self-healing properties—allow manufacturers to be more confident in using...

May 1st, 2011 | feature, plastic | Read More

SOUND Wall

The NONdesigns SOUND Wall, designed by Scott Franklin and Miao Miao, is a modular system of interactive tiles used to create wall surfaces that alter their texture and light qualities based on environmental stimuli. With every sound produced by its audience, the SOUND Wall responds by opening its “skin,”...

April 8th, 2011 | feature, textile | Read More

QuaDror

QuaDror is described as a new structural joint offering myriad design applications at a variety of scales. Designer Dror Benshetrit of Studio Dror unveiled this new geometrical approach at the recent Design Indaba conference in Cape Town. Recalling the strategy of the diagrid, QuaDror uses diagonal framing...

March 4th, 2011 | feature, wood | Read More