Box Theater Project

Three screens milled

Box Theater Project - patterns

Prototypes

Polyethylene, CNC-milled, 2'x8'

Drawing in Small Scale

In the process of drawing the patterns for the Box Theater Project, I made this small scale experiment. The drawing consists of two layers, ink on perforated mylar in front, white drawing paper behind. Dim. appr. 6x9"

Box Theater Project - "The Panels"

Panel 1
dim: 24"x96"
mat: polyethylene

Panel 2
dim: 24"x96"
mat: polyethylene

The following are two screens that have been completed. We had a great debate on whether or not we should use 1/8" holes. Panel 1 has them; Panel 2 does not. When we went ahead with it, it did end up adding another seven hours to the process. But it makes quite a difference when viewed in person. Panel 2 took only two weekends to complete while Panel 1 took three.


We found the material in a plastics lumberyard outside of Pennsylvania. They had been sitting outside, by the river, and from time to time the river had flooded over them them. There was algae growing on some of them, and they smelled awful.

Box Theater Project - Working Drawings

Box Theater Project - Introduction

I am going to show some photos of a project we are currently working on; we have long been developing this path, both on our own and together. And within the last year we decided to join forces, as two heads are always better than one. This is an ongoing project in which we are experimenting in many different directions and mediums. Inspired by geometric designs and the way they convey effects of rhythm and celestial atmosphere, we sought to re-implement texture and decoration into contemporary architectural space. Geometric patterns, because of their repetitive characteristics, have always lent themselves to mass production especially in textiles, fabrics and various other surface treatments. It started with a study of hand drilled material in comparison to machine and computer drilled material, and understanding the characteristics of the computerized milling system as an equally disciplined tool.

We began to experiment with various types of materials, no longer just different types of wood, but materials that coordinate well with the machine. The material we are using for this project is called Polyethylene, a plastic used in products such as the plastic shopping bag. The panels themselves are very translucent and the material tends to have a wax like quality which makes them particularly friendly to mill.

Scrappings Series 1

We often document the process, determining the types of drillbits we use, which then determines what kind of hole it creates and what it leaves behind.

Scrappings Series 2

1/2 Drillbit Scrappings, No. 1.1 dim: 24"x36"

1/4 Drillbit Scrappings, No. 1.3 dim: 24"x36"

1/8 Drillbit Scrappings, No. 1.1 dim: 24"x36"

1/2 Drillbit Scrappings, No. 1.6 dim: 24"x36"

1/2 Drillbit Scrappings, No. 1.9 dim: 24"x36"