NADLAB Lookbook

NADLAB

is a team of researchers, designers, and fabricators with expertise in bringing custom digital designs into physical form supporting a hands-on approach that is the foundation of our process.

NADAAA / NADLAB - Our space is composed of a design studio over a large fabrication workshop enabling us to materialize complex geometrical ideas into rigorously built architecture, installations and products.

HISTORY + EVOLUTION HISTORY AND EVOLUTION NADAAA has evolved over three decades as a multi-disciplinary practice dedicated to bridging between design disciplines; from landscape to urbanism, architecture to interiors, and industrial design to furniture. The work of NADAAA demonstrates a commitment to new forms of knowledge through making. With an eye towards integrated thinking, we enter the discourse of technology, aesthetics, and building protocols.

Of the various investments in our thinking process, much experimentation has been done with material properties and their potential to impact form. We seek to challenge the means and methods of fabrication/assembly, through innovative building strategies and the development of alternative tectonic approaches. We look at buildings with organic respect, reconciling part to whole relationships, and inventing key details that impact the intelligence of the overall design. Addressing program, budget, and schedule, our research aims to show the instrumentality of the art of construction as the central agent of the design process.

NADLAB emerged as a means to address the complexities of construction, through direct dialogue with building trades, as well as proactive fabrication in our workshop.

We utilize and develop digital parametric platforms to inform design processes, advancing new construction technologies to optimize material efďŹ ciency, production schedules and quality.

DESIGN + FABRICATION

AESOP STORES New York | San Francisco | Toronto | East Hampton | Hong Kong

NADAAA+NADLAB created a number of retail stores for the skin-care and health product brand AESOP. Each store is unique to the particular site while remaining true to the innovative brand of AESOP. A highly efficient architect-asfabricator delivery model minimized costs for the client, facilitated an accelerated project schedule, and guaranteed adherence to design intent. As pressures of construction and installation were incorporated into the design process, the digital design model became a virtual “shop drawing.�

FILLMORE STREET, SAN FRANCISCO

SOHO

EAST HAMPTON, NY

PENTAVOLA WASHINGTON DC NADAAA+NADLAB designed a component-based table that seats 5-10 people. Beyond dining, meeting, and social functions, it was conceived as a work table. Its central oculus serves as a structural grommet that allows for the passage of wiring and technical elements. The table’s iconic profile is created through an aluminium and plywood composite structure. This light-weight design combined with notched connections allow it to be disassembled and reassembled easily — making it useful for flexible classrooms as well as for use in the home.

Available as a flat-pack package, the table can be ordered by emailing nada@nadaaa.com.

CATENARY COMPRESSION BOSTON, MA Catenary Compression was developed as a research project, pairing up unlikely structural properties to work together for extraordinary circumstances. Working with light block construction that conventionally operates in compression, we set out to build a structural catenary that relieves the ground from any physical contact. A prototype was developed for an exhibit as both a provocation and experiment. The aggregation is comprised of sixty individual carved and interlocking blocks that are CNC routed from polyurethane foam board to achieve the minimally required tolerances for tensile continuity. Numerous computer models analysed the anticipated forces, and mock-ups were tested for loading and integrity. Ultimately the puzzle-like pieces were conjoined by inverted ‘keystones’, working against gravity to deflect the tensile forces. The terminus of the catenary, its nadir, is characterized by an ocular void acting as a tensile ring.

JP CABINET BOSTON, MA Storage system and kitchen fronts were developed for a client with interest in the ergonomic charasteristics of design. The details are simple, maximizing the client’s budget as well as the highlighting natural richness of the material.

GWANGJU URBAN BENCH SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA As part of Gwangju Biennale

URBAN BENCH The city’s granite sidewalks run right through the building as a at and accessible ground, the reading of this public space gains expression by way of the ceiling. The ceiling houses all building services as well as the public programs that require spatial or acoustic enclosure.

EVERQUOTE FRONT DESK CAMBRIDGE, MA As part of nterior ямБt out for this Kendall Square start-up.

Katie Faulkner AIA, LEED AP, President kfaulkner@nadaaa.com +1 617.442.6232 Luisel Zayas, Designer + Fabrication Director lzayas@nadaaa.com +1 617.442.6232 1920 Washington Street #2 Boston, MA 02118