![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.formstonecastle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Bob6239KineticKouch.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWe’re still not exactly sure where the convergence of ideas came from, but we decided to apply the look of Japanese Dekotora trucks<\/a> with our 3 person couch and coffee table. In about 3 weeks we put together a killer proposal for Light City 2017<\/a>. \u00a0In the process of writing the proposal the project evolved, took on collaborators, fed back their input into the piece over and over until we came up with this:<\/p>\n As winter settled in, we wanted to have lights and controllers in hand to being building prototypes and playing with code. \u00a0Our first orders were placed within hours of hearing we were selected so that we could have them by Christmas to play with. \u00a0We wanted to order as much as we could locally, but some parts did come from over seas such as the controllers and WS2811 LED light strips. \u00a0 The battery was sourced from Best Battery<\/a> in Baltimore. \u00a0It is a giant 12v 150lb 255Ah deep cycle battery<\/a>. \u00a0This was all set up in the basement with our fuses and wires run up through our floor vent into the living room where we used the lights as our Christmas tree, but also to test our ability to power them from the battery, charge the batter and program the controllers. \u00a0If you got our Christmas card, this was in the background.<\/p>\n We also started the the process of strengthening the rear wheels and brake as they’d need to hold several hundred additional pounds with the new design. \u00a0I wanted cast aluminum wheels to be able to handle serious side loads. \u00a0A quick trip to Baltimore Cycle Salvage<\/a> led to some dope 1981 Suzuki GS400 Enkei wheels with mesh disc brakes, calipers and brake\/clutch levers. \u00a0I can’t overstate how generous Dean at Baltimore Cycle Salvage was. \u00a0He practically gave us the parts and was fully supportive of our way outside of the box project.<\/p>\n Around this time we moved into Spirits Tavern’s garage on Bank Street in Upper Fells Point. \u00a0We didn’t want to work outside in the winter so we made sure to add this into the budget. \u00a0Here is a good spot for a pause. \u00a0The following day we left to Puerto Rico for a quick winter vacation to prepare us for the wildest 2 months finishing this up. \u00a0Details in following post.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It has been a busy winter at Formstone Castle (Actually it’s been super busy since July, but those posts will …<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.formstonecastle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/AutoSave_KineticKouch005-1024x506.jpg\")
<\/a>In the process we also roped in artist friends to collaborate. \u00a0Katlyn Wyllie would make the mural on the back, Charlotte Hager would make the costume for the creature, Adam Rush would make a 6 hour music mix and Siri and I would build the couch and coordinate all of the other details.<\/p>\n