Plexi Shelves - Prototype 1

Salmon Light - Prototype 3

Wood finishes - Maple, Cherry, Walnut

Laser cutting by - http://www.bbiitt.com/ in Austin, TX

Cost - $350

Satellite Chair

It seems that it is time for furniture that is wired, illuminated, heated, etc. to match up with all the electronics and computers that surround us these days. The chair is a version of integrated and exposed utilities in a simple reference form. This is in the long list of future pods like the Eero Aarnio Ball Chair and The Sonic Chair.
Inspiration Image - We were checking out a nasa radio telescope/dish in australia a couple of years ago and i was thinking it would make a nice chair scaled down.

Initial sketches

Outdoor Sleeper

Tiny House Version 1

Level 1 Plan L1-384 Deck-192 L2-144 Total-528

Design rationale - It is organized around a small plan with only the essential elements following the small house concept. The deck faces south to allow for passive solar heating of the house. A storage spine is the main organizing principle with a hall and spaces feeding off. I have separated out toilet and shower for an improved bathing experience.

Level 2 plan L2-144

The loft level has a simple bedroom with a window seat and built-in closets. The south facing wall is a wrapping window that could allow for roof access.

I stumbled across Jay Shafer's website (http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/) a couple of years ago and have been intrigued about the idea ever since. There has always been a market for RVs, trailers and small prefab pods but I think this is starting to address a new potential for high quality and authentic materials in a micro house that can be mobile.

Pallet Pavilion

Concept rendering of pallet pavilion. I envisioned a small (6x9) covered outdoor space to break up a standard suburban backyard. This model could be easily transformed into a four season space with the addition of windows and doors.

I started out with 27 salvaged pallets off of CL. This is a continuation of my pallet reuse ideas. I believe that every yard should have a little pavilion or gazebo for relaxing. The total project cost was around $65 in screws and outcut metal roofing. It has a certain swiss family robinson look.

The wood slats are scraps from Creative Woodworking NW

Prototype 2 - Salmon Light

I have uploaded these more demonstrative photos of the light minus all the glue, sawdust and background stuff. The photos are courtesy of rhianna at accio photography. The photo above is a photoshopped over exposure of the light. It is more along the lines of the lighting concept that we had in mind. See the photos for a more detailed view of the hanging option and the lighting effect from the desk option.

SF Maker Faire

The salmon light is now available for purchase on Ponoko. It comes in a range of materials from colored acrylic to veneer plywood. We have also been making it out of wood veneered plexi with the help of Dave at Architectural Prototypes. Dave (Architectural Prototypes link) has helped to get the first mdf and the first wood veneer on plexi options produced and has been very helpful in recommending materials and suppliers for different components.

We have two options ($105, $350) for purchasing the light depending on whether or not people are interested in assembling the light themselves. The cheaper version is flatpacked much like ikea products to save on costs. the other option is to have it shipped fully assembled and ready to plug in. Ponoko has recently selected us to be part of their maker faire display in San Fran this weekend, so if you're in the area check it out. The maker faire version is out of the ivory acrylic.

We used the extra space around the light on the plexi sheets to make some tiny salmon smolts. I then assembled the smolts into an illuminated mobile.

May 22-23 in San Francisco

http://www.makerfaire.com/

Ponoko Materials

http://www.ponoko.com/make-and-sell/materials

Salmon Light - Prototype 1

Laser cut prototype 1 - The material is a mdf board. It shows the form, the spacing between layers and the light spill between each layer. See the plexi/veneer sample for light transmittance.

Laser cut prototype 1 - desk light

Laser cut prototype 1 - hanging pendant light
Translucent plexi with wood grain highlighted
Plexi and veneer test piece
Version 2
Version 3
Version 3 light test rendering
Version 4 - playing with the gill definition
Version 5
Version 6 - form simplified and streamlined