Revolutionizing Park Fixtures: Ten To Sen テントセン (Point and Line)

Design Office Takebayashi Scroggin (d.o.t.s) Transforms Ordinary Into Extraordinary

The design is a geometric extrusion of points and lines, resulting in park fixtures that are simultaneously iconographic, ornamental, and functional. The fixtures are assembled from simple laminations of standardized components, fabricated from sheet material. Each prototype is a meditation on the manipulation of points and lines, resulting in unique formal characteristics that set them apart from conventional park fixtures.

The realization of this design involved the use of digital modeling software. The structural framework of the fixtures was generated by projecting a linear pattern onto a lofted surface, which was then extruded and thickened to accommodate the material properties of sheet material and ensure structural soundness. The final forms were cut out of ¾” sheet material by a CNC milling machine and then laminated to create the final forms, mounted to a base to suggest future site integration.

The design was conceived to be mass-produced for distribution in Cherokee Square Park and its adjacent main street in downtown Guthrie, Kentucky. This integration creates a visual and experiential continuity between the historic main street and the new park development. The fixtures were designed in 2008 as part of the 2007 Urban Reformation Plan of downtown Guthrie, Kentucky, and the prototypes were fabricated for the 2010 exhibition Ten To Sen テントセン (Point and Line).

The design process was not without its challenges. The team had to grapple with issues of connection, material imperfection, and human error. However, instead of trying to mask these issues, they responded with design solutions, allowing the design model to adjust and evolve. This adaptive approach greatly improved the final product.

The Ten To Sen テントセン (Point and Line) design was recognized for its innovative approach and was awarded Platinum in A' Furniture Design Award in 2012. This award recognizes world-class, exceptional, and highly innovative designs that showcase unmatched professionalism, genius, and contribute to societal wellbeing. The award is a testament to the transformative power of design and the ability of Design Office Takebayashi Scroggin (d.o.t.s) to push the boundaries of art, science, design, and technology.