[R]ed[U]x Lab Design Explorations for the Digital Media Experience Lab

Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the management of Ryerson University's Digital Media Experience Lab (Namir Ahmed and Fangmin Wang) and the Master of Digital Media program (Michael Carter), another [R]ed[U]x Lab team led by Cathy have proposed a design of some storage within a feature wall for one of the Student Learning Centre's most prominent spaces. The design concept entitled "Trichotomy". Given the popularity and steady activity of the space, the design will have to be broken into two phases to ensure the primary storage is installed followed by the accent features of the overhead display areas. The team is currently looking to refine the design and explore materials that would complement the newest addition to the Ryerson University campus.

More to come as this design unfolds!

TODO 2014: The People's Choice Award

Though it seems like ages ago, a couple of [R]ed[U]x Lab team members recently picked up the 2014 Toronto Design Offsite People's Choice Award for "Eyes on the Street" earlier in February. We graciously accept the elegant Herman Miller limited edition plate... but now the question is how do we divide it among the team members (if at all)...

Initial Design Ideas

For this year's Night Market Cart, the [R]ed[U]x Lab wanted to continue its legacy of outstanding illuminated design but realized that there were several ideas at play including: 

• Potent, bright LED lighting
• Wood
• Interesting structural gymnastics
• Coordination with the restaurants
• Connections with Canadiana

An interesting concept arose pertaining to the ideas of sheltering in the romanticized Canadian wilderness. The portage and canoe became an engaging structure and form that inspired the group moving forward.  

Woodlot Shows Well at The Stop Night Market

David Haman's team from Woodlot appeared to be in full swing last night at The Stop Night Market with (quick) lineups of foodies interested in getting a taste of his beef crudo prepared with Volte sunflower oil, balconville vinegar, egg yolk, and rye.  It was interesting to overhear conversations of the patrons lining up commenting on the [R]ed[U]x Lab team's cart design and admittedly even better to hear the Woodlot team express their pleasure with the cart they had to work with.  Not surprisingly Woodlot's savoury creations were ravenously consumed by the patrons (including many return trips!).

[R]ed[U]x Lab Cart at Night

There were many great carts at the Stop Night Market and despite the fact that the event was held on one of the longest days of the year, the [R]ed[U]x Lab cart was designed to gently illuminate in the evening hours as the event went on until 11pm.  Here are some images of the cart illuminated during the latter part of the evening.

Signage, Identity, and Wood Themes

In order to assemble strong, visible signage, the [R]ed[U]x Lab team went with a clean laser-burned Woodlot logo with an accompanying menu for the Stop Night Market event as well as notable thanks to those who helped in this endeavour.

Remaining true to the consistency of both the design's material palette and rustic qualities, the signage complements the already engaging wood cart.  To finish off the consistency, the [R]ed[U]x Lab team decided to add some business cards for both the team and Woodlot burned on wood veneer for lucky patrons to pick up at tomorrow's event.

Canopy Condition

One of the components of the cart design was that each team had to ensure a canopy existed over the counter space.  Continuing the banding condition of the cladding, the [R]ed[U]x Lab team designed the canopy such that the wooden strips maintained the aesthetic of the cart.  These are some process images of the first couple of strips assembled for the layered canopy.  Great care has been put into ensuring the geometries of the components are stable while adequately addressing physical and visual clearances.

Cladding the Cart

It is always rewarding for designers to not only see their ideas manifest into reality, but more importantly to witness the fidelity of the intent to the actual outcome.  In this case the translation of the design concept to built reality is quite aligned with the initial design sketches proposed at the outset of the project. The geometries of the cart afforded the [R]ed[U]x Lab team an opportunity to play with the properties of wood and bring the canopy structure to the cart base as a cladding element.

Fortunately the blocking and structure provide a rigidity for the tensioned wood cladding to affix to.  The finer resolution of the overlapping wood conditions provide an opportunity for the design team to highlight the assembly and connections of the project.

Banding Together

In order to create an interesting and consistent canopy component, the team decided to push the bending limits of wood. The lap joints had to be meticulously prepared prior to bending in place in the final assembly.