XURF (EXpandable SURFaces) Systems generates continuously morphable curved surfaces. Inspired by biological membranes, the resulting surfaces are rigid yet pliable and are able to respond to a variety of surfacing needs. Developed by Milgo/Bufkin, XURF allows the transformation of any flatsheet material into a three-dimensionally curved surface and can accomplish compound curvature with relative ease. Applications include interior and exterior architectural surfaces, structures, sculpture, and a variety of design products. Milgo/Bufkin has developed prototypes primarily using steel, which range from containers and lamps to structural ceiling and wall systems. [Contact:
Milgo/Bufkin, Brooklyn, NY.]
Labels: 41, digital, metal, multidimensional, process
Erwin Hauer Continua is a series of designs for perforated and light-diffusing architectural surfaces. Originally developed in 1950, Continua screens were made of masonry materials painstakingly cast in complex molds. With the advent of current digital fabrication technologies, Continua screens are now easier to fabricate and mass produce, and Erwin Hauer’s sensual, multidimensional shapes may now be realized in a variety of materials.
Developed in cooperation with Enrique Rosado, Continua screens are available in CNC-cut medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and stone, as well as precast concrete and high-strength gypsum cement. Panels may be shop-fabricated up to 4 x 8 feet (1.2 x 2.4 meters), and larger sizes must be assembled on site. [Contact:
EHR Design Associates LLC, New Haven, CT.]
Labels: 12, multidimensional, process, screen
The Bubble Screen is a dot-matrix display that uses air bubbles as pixels. Developed by Eyal Burstein at Beta Tank, this display can show images, text, and patterns and may be used as a low-resolution screen. The project required two years of development during which experts in the fields of automation, pneumatics, and academia were employed to solve a fluid dynamics challenge. The Bubble Screen is intended to reveal alternative methods of information display and consumption and is exemplary of Beta Tank's ongoing ambient information-design project. [Contact:
Beta Tank, London, UK.]
Labels: 11, digital, process, repurposed, screen, water
Backlight is a demonstration of electroless metal plating by Tony Wurman of New York–based Wunderwurks. In contrast to conventional electrolytic processes, electroless plating uses a nongalvanic chemical plating method involving multiple reactions in an aqueous solution without external electrical power. Electroless plating can provide decorative and protective finishes for many materials, including metal, wood, glass, plastic, stone, fiberglass, ceramics, and even fabrics.
Wurman's gold-plated light sculpture of a human spine cast in urethane resin demonstrates that the electroless process is highly cost effective compared to conventional electroplating and vacuum metallizing and is not limited to the item’s size, design, or surface characteristics. Moreover, the electroless-plated object's finished surface will accept conventional paints to enable striping, accenting with graphics, or airbrushing. [Contact:
Coat of Chrome, Wind Gap, PA;
Wunderwurks, New York, NY.]
Labels: 05, metal, process, ultraperforming
Backlight Images are three-dimensional solid-surface topographies created from digital images. Developed and manufactured by the R. D. Wing Company, the Backlight Image process transforms user-provided images into reliefs within the surface of 1/4-inch-thick, translucent DuPont Corian. The images are first converted to grayscale mode with 256 shades, and each shade effectively becomes a different height of contour.
Unlike other digitally fabricated products that utilize the relief surface as the viewing surface, Backlight Images are sculpted from the reverse side. Only when light is transmitted from behind does the image emerge through the material.
Backlight Images may be created from photographs, logos, or other graphic content. Once images are produced, they can be thermoformed to create sculptural objects and curved surfaces. Backlight Images may also be colored using theatrical studio film and can match Kodak PMS or Pantone designated colors. [Contact:
Backlight Images, Kirkland, WA.]
Labels: 06, digital, interfacial, process, solid surface
XURF (EXpandable SURFaces) Systems generates continuously morphable curved surfaces. Inspired by biological membranes, the resulting surfaces are rigid yet pliable and are able to respond to a variety of surfacing needs. Developed by Milgo/Bufkin, XURF allows the transformation of any flatsheet material into a three-dimensionally curved surface and can accomplish compound curvature with relative ease. Applications include interior and exterior architectural surfaces, structures, sculpture, and a variety of design products. Milgo/Bufkin has developed prototypes primarily using steel, which range from containers and lamps to structural ceiling and wall systems. [Contact: Milgo/Bufkin, Brooklyn, NY.]
