rossettidetroit-blog-blog

[rossettidetroit-blog-blog]

ALTERNATIVE VTO: Taubman FABLab

ROSSETTI has been looking to acquire a 3D printer in order to expedite modeling and even open a door to the digital fabrication and industrial design realms. University of Michigan's Taubman College was kind enough to open their doors and let us take a peek at their spankin' new state-of-the-art fabrication lab, also known as the FABLab.

Ann Luke, assistant to dean Monica Ponce de Leon, was kind enough to provide a description of the type of technology the FABLab is home to:

"The FABLab at Taubman College leverages state-of-the-art industrial technology to perform architectural fabrication research. It is one of a few select academic institutions around the world utilizing robotic automation to perform both subtractive and additive manufacturing processes. The technologies have existed in the aerospace and automotive industries for some time, but have just recently infiltrated the architectural-fabrication industry.

The Fab Lab operates numerous computer-numerical controlled (CNC) machines, allowing students and faculty to work with virtually any material.  Two large 3 axis CNC routers process plywood or plastics, in addition to 3D surfacing wood and foam. A 3 axis abrasive water jet cutter can perform 2D cuts in any material up to 1" steel and 2" stone to five one thousandths of an inch.(005") tolerance. A smaller 3 axis bed mill can perform full 3D cuts in metals like aluminum and stainless steel. The largest machine in the lab is the 7 axis Kuka Robot, with a 30'x10'x8' work volume. The robot is one of the largest in the world at an architectural institution. The system has been laser calibrated to achieve accuracies approaching that of CNC machines. The robot can load either a milling head for cutting wood and foam, or a water jet cutting nozzle for full 3D cutting of any material. The robot also utilizes a gripper for material forming or assembly processes. The lab also makes use of four rapid prototyping machines for on-demand 3D printing of student models, and four laser cutters for rapid production of sketch models from chip board or acrylic. Two of the rapid prototyping machines are located within the architecture studios making it easier for students in studio to access the equipment 24-7. A fully outfitted wood and metal shop supports the digital lab, allowing secondary processes such as bending and welding on the digitally cut components."

[rossettidetroit-blog-blog]

Architectural Salvage Warehouse Detroit

For those of you who haven't had the chance to visit the Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit, ROSSETTI strongly recommends a visit! Chris Rutherford, the Executive Director of the ASWD, recently came into our office to introduce his organization and their new efforts.

If you haven't heard of the ASWD, it is a nonprofit salvage and resale organization with a mission to reduce the waste and careless demolition of the many empty homes in the city of Detroit. Any visit to the Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit will uncover a plethora of amazing finds, ranging anywhere from solid oak hardwood flooring to antique fixtures to windows dating back to the late 19th century.

Typically, materials can simply be donated. Their demolition process, however, entails payment by the homeowner to the ASWD to employ a demolition crew to dismantle said house, preserving as much material as possible. The homeowner then qualifies for a tax credit, which is usually much more substantial than the cost of demolition, and ASWD has a haul of product for their warehouse.

By implementing these methods in their business plan, the ASWD enforces a triple bottom line that positively contributes to Detroit economically, socially, and environmentally.

What ROSSETTI is even more excited by is ASWD's new branch, which will strictly carry wood. This means that not only will designers and the public alike have the ability to allocate consistent product in large quantities, they will also have access to rare species as well as lumber in dimensions no longer carried by the local Home Depot!

You can check them out electronically at www.aswdetroit.org, but ROSSETTI highly recommends a visit!

Cheers!

Photo credits: Theresa Welsh, www.aswdetroit.org, houseshackhouse

[rossettidetroit-blog-blog]

ALTERNATIVE VTO: THE SPINDLER PROJECT

For our second ALT VTO the Creative Team ventured down Fort St. to the Display Group warehouse to check out The Spindler Project.

Photographer, artist, and collector Lisa Spindler invited ROSSETTI to explore her personal works of art as well as her collection of found objects, furniture, and extensive library of design & art literature.

After a temporary hiatus, Lisa has returned home to the city she loves, reinvigorated with an excitement for her new work. Her recent adventures vary from truly introspective and personal exploration to raw investigations of digital techniques resulting in architectural collaging.

She was even kind enough to let us a peek at an astounding project that has been in the works for over 15 years, and is bound to be a profound proponent for the rebirth of Detroit. 

A stunning example of the beauty instilled in art through process, the entire Rossetti team left the studio enthusiastic and inspired.

Some reactions to the trip:

"She has an infectious enthusiasm for everything around her, and has a way of reinterpreting the delight to other." - T.S.

"I was intrigued by the studies of layered photography creating buildings. She should see benefit from returning to Detroit, as its cultural world often requires a kind of credibility that only comes from working or living here." - AT

[rossettidetroit-blog-blog]

In honor of BAGEL THURSDAY, I am reposting this fun-fact on fractal distribution & bagels - Thank you, David Smoes for the bagels this AM. YUM!

What’s a fractal?

Just one of the main building blocks of the universe. Known as ‘God’s thumbprint,’ these simple math formulas reveal the intricate recursive patterns found within nature, yet still remain one of science’s best-kept secrets. Follow along as we explore the contours, curiosities and creator of this beautiful wonder of the computer age.

"A fractal is a way of seeing infinity." —Benoit B. Mandelbrot

On Bagels and Benoit:

"Benoit once told me that the best tasting bagels are those with a fractal distribution of holes. If the bagels are cooked at the right temperature, the carbon dioxide generated by the yeast forms bubbles with a fractal distribution. So before you buy a bunch of bagels, cut one open, look at the different hole sizes, and they range from very small to very large, they were cooked properly. Of course, you can always taste one bagel before buying a bunch from the same batch. But that’s not the "fractal way" to judge your food."

James Wynn LASIK Pioneer, IBM Researcher

Join our Reddit AMA, now through 2PM →

[rossettidetroit-blog-blog]

ALTERNATIVE VTO: THE HEIDELBERG

The amazing Rossetti office holds a weekly VTO meeting (VTO: Vision/Traction Organizer). The purpose of VTO is to review our projects and initiatives to discuss how they align with our core values, as well as to establish new goals and objectives. 

However, because of our new downtown location, we decided to immerse ourselves in the creative culture happening OUTSIDE the office. Therefore, every other week, the Rossetti team will be venturing out into our beautiful city of Detroit to explore and investigate our habitat's happenings. The goal is to not only familiarize ourselves with our new locale, but to also engender inspiration and get those creative juices flowing!

Our first ALT VTO was a visit to the Heidelberg studio. For those of you who don't know about the Project, here's a short description:

...an open-air art environment in the heart of an urban community on Detroit’s East Side. Tyree Guyton, founder and artistic director, uses everyday, discarded objects to create a two block area full of color, symbolism, and intrigue. Now in its 27th year, the Heidelberg Project is recognized around the world as a demonstration of the power of creativity to transform lives.

The first part of our visit was inside the Fine Arts Theater on Woodward, a space next door to their studio (which we afterwards visited) being used for their yearly fall fundraiser "ENCORE". Our host, Trista Dymond, who is the Heidelberg's in-house graphics and site development coordinator, was kind enough to not only let us get a sneak peak of her beautiful installation, but also provided a deeper understanding of why this year's fundraiser was particularly crucial.

On the day of our visit, the Heidelberg Project had been devastated by six intentional fires since October. The losses included the OJ House, the House of Soul, and the Penny House. The installation created by Trista utilized, in typical Heidelberg-ian fashion, an atypical material: discarded plastic bags. Painted blue and woven together, the result was an undulating and enveloping "wave", meant to not only engage the entire theater's space, but to symbolize the power and message of the Project itself. After all, what better to fight fire with than water?

Although the fundraiser was extremely successful and morale was high, the weekend after our visit a seventh house was burned. While the destruction of such a critical piece of Detroit's culture as well as a historic landmark is truly a travesty, we at Rossetti believe in the resilience of the Heidelberg Project. It's team, Tyree, and the Project itself are all an embodiment of the spirit of Detroit, which burns fiercer and brighter than any fire could.

To donate follow the link: http://igg.me/at/HPLegacy/x

[rossettidetroit-blog-blog]

We are finally getting settled in and becoming more comfortable with our awesome new studio! What do you think about our new home in #Detroit?

[rossettidetroit-blog-blog]

[rossettidetroit-blog-blog]

What happens when you take an hour off of work to explore downtown Detroit?  Chaos ensues.  Check out these great photos from the winning team of the first annual ROSSETTI scavenger hunt.

[rossettidetroit-blog-blog]

DESIGNING EXPERIENCES. GENERATING VALUE.

How can these statements define a design culture/attitude?

[rossettidetroit-blog-blog]

Welcome to the [R] FEED!

ROSSETTI's first internal BLoG!!