Final images of the Parametric Stair
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Point b recently assisted Click Architecture with the fabrication of their winning entry, “Movie Mobile”, in the Design Philadelphia [spot] competition. The collaborative process consisted of digital model refinement, surface curvature analysis, and the fabrication of the final installation using our CNC mill.

On Walnut Street

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Point b recently had two objects on display at the Philly [heart] Design Exhibition, located at The Rotunda on The University of Pennsylvania’s campus. The event was curated by Jamie and Issac Salm of MIO, and Alexandra Schmidt-Ullrich. The show featured product, graphic, and interactive design in an immersive environment. We would like to thank Jamie, Issac, and Alexandra for their efforts in putting together a great exhibit for the city of Philadelphia!

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b.Fab has been diligently working on the installation of Rainscreen 3 (RS3). b.Fab undertook the fabrication of a number of project components of the Dantchik gallery and addition, testing materials and assemblies, and using a digital and analogue toolkit. With the help of local Philadelphia craftsman Mike Cheron, we are near completion of the first of three custom rainscreens.

south-west corner

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Related to a number of CNC cut path studies we have been conducting, this is a 3/4 mock-up for a door that will be installed in the coming weeks. The topography of the door panel and the cut path pattern was generated using RhinoScript, while the handle evolved over a series of ergonomic studies of the hand and the surface of the door. In the end, the handle blends seamlessly into the topography, unifying the door as a fully integrated and functional panel.

3/4 of the Final Door Panel Milled from Blue Foam
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The Dantchik Stair is a parametric model that was built to allow multiple members of the design team a quick, intuitive, and efficient means to study multiple geometric configurations under various constraints.

As a result, the digital model is composed of a number of individual controllers that drive the geometry of the composite stair. To the right is a window that contains each of the planar vertical standards that are linked to the 3d model on the left, each yellow point on the vertical standards can move freely and will update the geometry of the composite stair. Other Variables controlled by either direct manipulation in the model or by a standard slider include: the stringer geometry, the overall stair profile in plan, the tread profiles & dimensions in section, the handrail position, and the riser geometry.

3d composite model on left - vertical standard controllers on right

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Point b recently served as consultants on an architectural project with LAAB - Laboratorio de Arquitectura Alejandro Biguria. Point b was asked to develop a branching algorithm in RhinoScript that allowed LAAB to study various site strategies for the plan of an eco-resort in Puerto Rico. The branching algorithm then translates to a series of elevated footbridges that connect various parts of the resort.

The Script asks for polylines or curves as input geometry, then generates branches from those curves elevated above the topography based on a number of user input variables, including number of generations, density, height above surface, etc. Once the branches are generated, a series of vertical branches connect the footbridges to the topography. To facilitate costing estimates, the dimension of every vertical and horizontal branch is exported to excel and labeled in Rhino.

Working this way enabled the output from each iteration to be evaluated and the data to be used as feedback in successive iterations. A hallmark of the Point b methodology, this generative approach leads to a highly saturated set of potential solutions.

An Interior View of a FootBridge designed by LAAB

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We have been running a series of tests using RhinoScript to generate cut paths for a series of cabinet doors we’re designing. Here is the latest installment.

CNC Milled MDF
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For the design of a webnet mesh system, we developed a RhinoScript that applies a webnet of any dimension to a surface of any geometry. The script outputs cable count and dimensions to excel for quantity and costing, as well as drawing and labeling each cable flat for fabrication.

We are currently in the process of building our own .5 x .5 axis CNC machine to measure, mark, and cut the cables for ease of fabrication.

An interior view of the amorphous mesh geometry in the gallery.
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Updated photos of the Dantchik Gallery under construction.

View from NorthEast: Concrete ‘Beam’, Prow, North Profile & RS2

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RS1 Panelization study generated by RhinoScript.

3d Panels on RS1 Geometry

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Wednesday, August 6th at 7:00 p.m., Point b Design will be hosting the first in a series of happy hours at our office. This is an opportunity to come out and visit our studio, meet our people and engage in stimulating conversation.

The Purpose of the evening is to establish strategic alliances and identify potential collaborative opportunities within the group. The event will be loosely structured with an informal welcome, followed by a brief presentation by members of our office, concluding with a discussion. It is our goal that every month or so, someone new will volunteer or be asked to present work ranging from architectural design to infinity.

If you are able to come or know someone who would be interested, please RSVP to jonathan@pointbdesign.com. All are welcome, but we would like to have an idea of how many people to accommodate.

Visit us for b.Digi Night at our studio
7:00 pm Wednesday August 6, 2008
214 Kalos St Philadelphia PA 19128

CNC milled incision and/or surface cut path patterns, a continuation of the previous incisions but generated through an attractor logic….

Pattern 1
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Pattern 1
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Milled Plyboo
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