MAY 26 IN GEAR
The mechanics of what makes things work usually comes down to the physicality of the “gears” in motion or getting one into gear to tackle a challenge. Either way, gears represent movement, forward thinking and innovation. Our country’s great industrial period gave way to almost unimaginably scaled mechanisms for production and installation. As a young designer, living in Hoboken NJ, I would walk past a work yard that once built and cast massive propellers for ships of all sizes. Some of the remaining propellers, on the worn industrial land, measured easily fourteen feet in diameter and five feet in height, amazing to just marvel at and more so respect.
Many of Manhattan and other notable cityscapes are still dotted with skyscrapers housing twentieth century clock towers that commuters not only revered but relied on as they often glanced up at the immense faces pacing themselves on their AM/PM commutes to and from the train terminal. The gears that set the pace of our lives were not only minute in detail on our wrist watches but were also extraordinarily grand installations and yet accurate to a second before computers. In the last decade, Steampunk, has fascinated those that enjoy collecting and paying homage to great inventions through re-purposing their original intent. I’d rather display gears without obvious manipulation appreciating the beauty and simplicity in their original form. Past engineers and mechanics who labored over such design challenges and artistry would be pleased to see their efforts reimagined and platformed in the following images. Good design celebrating and respecting the past while giving new life in an unencumbered way has always held my interest.
Below: Architect, Tom Kundig has incorporated industrial grade gears & pulleys to hoist up a large garage door of glass in the lake house below allowing for a breathtaking water view and further below:
A wall of windows winches up and down as well to reveal the interior of a gallery renovation in Los Altos, California.
Cite: http://www.styleofdesign.com/architecture/residential/tom-kundig-hoists-california-gallery-facade-using-gears-and-pulleys/
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/shopping/store_profiles/tom-kundigs-amazing-houses-ols-77245
A wall of windows winches up and down as well to reveal the interior of a gallery renovation in Los Altos, California.
Cite: http://www.styleofdesign.com/architecture/residential/tom-kundig-hoists-california-gallery-facade-using-gears-and-pulleys/
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/shopping/store_profiles/tom-kundigs-amazing-houses-ols-77245
Below, the Falkirk Wheel building located in Falkirk, Scotland, UK. Completed in 2002 by RMJM, Nicoll Russell and Butterley Engineers. The wheel gears connects Glasgow and Edinburgh canals, 24m (79ft) difference in level, rotating wheel to raise boats, uses very little power to rotate.
An amazing use of gears in the 21st century that is aesthetically beautiful and purposeful.
Cite: https://aedesign.wordpress.com/2010/01/21/falkirk-wheel-millennium-wheel-%E2%80%93-falkirk-scotland-uk/
An amazing use of gears in the 21st century that is aesthetically beautiful and purposeful.
Cite: https://aedesign.wordpress.com/2010/01/21/falkirk-wheel-millennium-wheel-%E2%80%93-falkirk-scotland-uk/
Below: Erwin Sattler's Germany retail location places center stage the gear as the sand blasted graphic motif behind the store's interior design build out. Ever present, the gears, the precision behind the brand, the customer is reminded that artistry and mechanics go hand in hand in the creation of their timeless pieces.
Cite: http://www.interiordesignlovers.com/store-designs/erwin-sattler-boutique-by-jco-design.html
Cite: http://www.interiordesignlovers.com/store-designs/erwin-sattler-boutique-by-jco-design.html
A light pendant fixture below exposes all types of gears in scale while the fixture reflects natural light illuminating the complexity of each design. in tandem, the gears becomes a gesture of beauty and a simple form.
Cite: http://www.designboom.com/design/schproket-lighting-system-by-christopher-moulder/
Cite: http://www.designboom.com/design/schproket-lighting-system-by-christopher-moulder/
Additional light sources and a coffee table below created from types of gears.
Elegant and understated the designs are refined and do not complicate the beauty of the the original sourced material.
Cite: http://productfind.interiordesign.net/products/13644-gear-ceiling-fixture/
Table: http://www.egiserve.com/creative-recycling-design-ideas/smart-recycling-round-coffee-table-with-stainless-bicycle-rims-material-feat-gear-wheel-and-black-iron-bicycle-fork-combine-clear-glass-counter-top-coffee-table/
Elegant and understated the designs are refined and do not complicate the beauty of the the original sourced material.
Cite: http://productfind.interiordesign.net/products/13644-gear-ceiling-fixture/
Table: http://www.egiserve.com/creative-recycling-design-ideas/smart-recycling-round-coffee-table-with-stainless-bicycle-rims-material-feat-gear-wheel-and-black-iron-bicycle-fork-combine-clear-glass-counter-top-coffee-table/
Below, gears designed for wind use and energy: "Conventional wind turbine technology has been a bit out of reach for most residential consumers living in urban areas—until now. Researchers at Hong Kong University and Lucien Gambarota of Motorwave Ltd. have developed Motorwind, a micro-wind turbine technology small enough for private use in both rural and urban environments. Unlike large-scale wind turbines, Motorwave’s micro-wind turbines are light, compact (25 cm rotor diameter), and can generate power with wind speeds as low as 2 meters/second."
Cite: http://inhabitat.com/micro-wind-turbines-small-size-big-impact/
Cite: http://inhabitat.com/micro-wind-turbines-small-size-big-impact/
Below, a 3-D printed ball comprised of gears that rotate with movement when turned on. Just a cool to see in action as it is to study the snowflake like configuration and intricacy of the design itself.
Cite: http://gizmodo.com/mind-boggling-spherical-gear-made-from-3d-printed-movin-1477318149
Cite: http://gizmodo.com/mind-boggling-spherical-gear-made-from-3d-printed-movin-1477318149
Recently, I enjoyed the urban chic setting of a new restaurant opening, "Not Your Average Joe's". Weathered clapboard, hand blown glass pendants in warm yellow tones, strategically placed succulent plantings set in pre-cast concrete basins welcomed the foodie as they contemplated the creative organically presented menu. What was most striking in the urban distressed landscape of the interior was the 'pop' of modernist color that was applied to over-sized gears in three shapes on a back wall. The mass scale of the gears spanned seven feet adding to the intrigue. A beautiful use of vintage gears set against the contemporary grey brick wall surface set the gears apart not only as colorful but an art installation that was as enjoyable to gaze at as their dessert offerings