// Projects
Kinect Research FrameworkThe Kinect Research Framework is an open toolset for developing new interfaces to media and spaces using the Kinect. It is based around skeleton / hand tracking servers written in Processing using simpleopenni that can send the tracking data to any program that can receive TCP/UDP data. The goal for the project is to create [...]
// Projects
Active PatternsActive Patterns is a study in the use of shape memory polymers as a responsive facade material. The temperature at which the material is determined by us in the lab by altering the ratio of its chemical makeup. The overall “behavior” is thus programmed through the geometry of the pattern cut/scored into the polymer. Future [...]
// Projects
FieldCondition v3FieldCondition is a research project which investigates the potential of custom fabrication devices in relationship to an active material. This iteration of the device focuses on changing the control mechanism for the cutting head from a linear actuation system to a custom-made 4-axis arm. The system also updates the control algorithms which control the cutting [...]
// Projects
CyberGarden v4CyberGarden is an ongoing research project developed by Ecologic Studio. This project represents the 4th iteration and exists as a multilayered, intelligent system that passes information between these layers via material, electronic and biological information. It utilizes a network of radiation sensors and connected to custom designed and programmed robotic arms and a parametric digital [...]
// Projects
Folding Fabrication: RoboFold + Studio LaarmanThe initial research for this production method was done in collaboration with RoboFold to develop a proof of concept model for the company’s production method. The proof of concept was undertaken at a scale of 1:5 using off-the-shelf, 6-axis robotic arms that were retrofitted with custom vacuum grippers. The production model looks to eliminate the [...]
// Projects
Field Condition v2Field Condition is the current prototype in an ongoing research project to develop new interfaces and hardware for creating custom fabrication Devices. It builds on work done with Robofold to rethink digital fabrication as a system of animation. To do this the control code is created in Maya as a keyframe animation that is either [...]
// Projects
Xmen2.0: Energy Masterplan ModelOverview The Xiamen Energy Masterplan Model was developed with CHORA as part of their scheme for the Taiwan Strait Incubator project. This portion of the scheme looks to establish Xiamen as the first “Green” or Energy Efficient City in China. To achieve this the city commissioned an overall “Energy Masterplan” from CHORA which addresses this [...]
// News
Magic Materials Exhibit
Project BlackBox will be exhibited as part of the Magic Materials Exhibition at the Science Gallery in Dublin. MAGICAL MATERIALS will delve into the mysterious and captivating properties of materials science, taking visitors on a journey of metals that behave like fluids, fabrics that power electronic devices and the potential of invisibility cloaks – meta [...]
// News
Beyond Mechanics in HuffPo
LINK The work of the Beyond Mechanics Cluster was featured in an article by Carla Leitao in the Huffington Post. The Cluster developed responsive, wearable prototypes using responsive polymers.
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Smart Geometry 2012
Beyond Mechanics Smart Geometry 2012 Cluster Champions: Mariana Ibanez / Simon Kim / Nick Puckett The Beyond Mechanics Cluster at Smart Geometry 2012 developed wearable, responsive prototypes using shape-memory polymer. The workshop used Project Blackbox to design and create custom polymers on site that allowing the response temperature to be determined as part [...]
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GameSpace Workshop
GameSpace Workshop. Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary This 4 day workshop introduced methods of using the tools of video game development as a means of designing responsive spaces. Using Unity3d, a Kinect, and Maya students generated virtual environments and overlaid them onto the space of the gallery. This was done by tracking the [...]
// News
BlackBox Exhibition at the Univ. of Calgary
Kasian Gallery – University of Calgary Dept. of Environmental Design Nick Puckett / AltN Research + Design Development Team: Anton Bakerjian, Ian McHone Partner: BioActive Devices Laboratory at the University of Kentucky Images: Michael Haas Project BlackBox is addressing the issue of responsiveness at the building scale by creating smart surfaces that [...]
// News
Cluster Champion – Smart Geometry 2012
Nick Puckett will be co-directing the Beyond Mechanics workshop cluster with Simon Kim and Mariana Ibanez at Smart Geometry 2012. This cluster provides the opportunity for architectural designers to participate in the formulation, manufacturing, and implementation of Responsive Polymers. The cluster will investigate methods for designing the form and behavior of multi-scalar prototypes from a [...]
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Lecture / Workshop – University of Arkansas
Nick recently gave a lecture/workshop cosponsored by the School of Architecture and the Department of Computer Science at the University of Arkansas. The lecture highlighted Puckett’s recent work with “active” building materials such as grass, shape-memory polymer, bacteria, algae, and hydrogel. The two-day workshop introduced programming techniques for using the Kinect in conjunction with Arduino [...]
// News
acadia 2011
The ACADIA 2011 Annual Conference will explore integrative trajectories and areas of overlap that have emerged through computation between design, its allied disciplines of engineering and construction, and other fields, such as computer science, material science, mathematics and biology. The conference will highlight experimental projects in which methods, processes, and techniques are discovered, appropriated, adapted, [...]
// News
Fabricate: Making Digital Architecture
Fabricate. Making Digital Architecture brings together the work of designers, engineers and makers within architecture, construction, engineering, manufacturing, and computation. Covering a cross section of scales and typologies, the publication features 32 illustrated case studies of completed buildings, new works in progress, and the latest research in design and digital manufacturing. Practices discussed include Foster+Partners, [...]
// News
Technarte 2011
AltN will be at TechNarte 2011 presenting REGENERATE Regenerate examines the relationship of digital animation to a physically responsive material. It utilizes the Field Condition augmented mower which was developed as a fabrication method for the computer controlled cutting of grass to create multi-scalar, responsive relief sculptures. At the heart of this research is the [...]
// Dev
Distributed display tracking – first prototype
This experiment is the first working prototype in our research into combining Kinect, Unity, and Android to design intelligent environments that relay information to individuals through local screens rather than a single projection. The goal is to move away from the typical setup of the Kinect that is based on a singular screen that all [...]
// Dev
KRF: Spatial Animation Triggers
This is an initial test for using kinect input in Unity. In this example the object and animation is created in maya and triggered in unity using basic collision detection. Future research will examine how the system of triggers used in video games can overlaid in the physical environment.
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KRF: Active User Switching
Initial Tests for a multi-user environment. In this setup, there is 1 active user, whose full skeleton is being tracked while the centroid of all other users is tracked. The active user can “pass” the full tracking to any other user in the scene by pointing at them.
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Project BlackBox – Development
BlackBox Development: Stage 1 Project BlackBox is a production device which allows the creation of 1:1 panels of shape-memory polymers and hydrogels. The goal for the device is to transfer properties and behaviors developed as “material samples” and scale them up to usable “material prototypes”. In collaboration with the Dept. of Chemical Engineering at the [...]
// Dev
Temporary forming with Shape-Memory Polymers
Our ongoing research into Shape-Memory Polymers is focused on their potential in temporary form-making and fabrication. At a designed temperature the polymer becomes completely malleable and can be formed into a range of shapes. Once the material drops below this temperature it becomes rigid again and holds whatever shape is given. If the material is [...]
// Dev
Responsive Polymer Research
We have recently begun a research project in collaboration with the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Kentucky to develop new fabrication and design potentials for responsive polymer materials. This research coincides with work on custom robotics to develop material systems which integrate robotic forming and actuation with the inherent responsive properties of [...]
// Dev
Animated Control: the gardenbot
Current Development on a collaboration with Ecologic Studio for the CyberGarden Cluster @ Smart Geometry 2011. The cluster will focus on the creation of a responsive landscape of active bacteria being “cultivated” by the integrated robotic arms. The control of the arms is achieved via the system previously developed which allows hardware to be controlled [...]
// Dev
Grass Incubator
The first test of the incubator will come as part of the New Faculty Show opening Friday November 12th @ the LandOfTomorrow in Lexington, KY .
// Dev
Field Condition
This summer we are undertaking a fresh investigation into the now classic subject of fabrication methods for developing pattern/gradient on a double-curved surface. While this project builds directly on methods developed for Robofold instead of looking at panelization, we are focusing developing the inherent properties of the form itself. We are currently based in Lexington, [...]
// Dev
X-Men Development
This fall I worked with students at the University of Kentucky on the development of the “Xiamen Energy Masterplan Model”, part of an ongoing collaboration with CHORA. Over the course of a few weeks the students completely remade all 600+ LEDS, connection circuits, and prototyped the entire layout. Team: Anton Bakerjian, Amanda Bocchinfuso, Spencer Dohrman, [...]