Dodo Lab
Research Project
Prototype /// 01
Prototype /// 02
Prototype /// 03
Dodo Lab is a research project (not to be confused with DodoLab , an experimental art and design based program in Canada www.dodolab.ca ) set up by Michaela Robinson and Karen Smart, two MA Interior Design students at the University of Central Lancashire, to find ways of regenerating old and unwanted pieces of furniture. The experimental nature of the project has led to them using “prototype” 1, 2 & 3 etc as the name for each of the pieces. Each prototype comes with a QR (Quick Response) Code which unites the prototype’s past and present. By scanning the barcode with a smartphone you unlock information about it’s former life, adding a unique human history to the once neglected object making it valuable and special once more. The Prototypes can only be bought by swapping services or by doing a good deed, much like designers helping each other within their working environment, therefore the only currency used is the swap or deed itself. Each prototype comes with a product tag which has instructions on the back explaining how the new owner can contribute to it’s ongoing narrative by generating a QR Code of their own. Once they have done this they can add it to the prototype in whatever way they wish so it becomes the next stage of it’s life story.
A QR (Quick Response) Code is a 2D barcode that can be read by special software on a smart phone. These are usually free, Just search for “QR scanner” in the iTunes, BlackBerry and Droid app stores. Depending on the QR Code, once scanned you’ll be redirected to a web page, call a phone number, see a secret message and so on.
Go to iTunes.
Type QR Code into Search.
Click on QR Reader for iPhone (it’s free).
Click on download. If you have downloaded from your laptop then sync your iPhone next and wait for the app to be installed.
How to use -
The app has auto-detect scan so simply hold your iPhone in the direction of the QR Code and the scanned information will appear on screen.
Click here
Then click on QR Code Scanner Pro.
Next click on download (it’s free).
Simply put your phone over the QR Code and it will scan instantly. The scanned information will then appear on screen.
Then click on QR Droid.
Open QR Droid and then from the “Scan” tab select “From camera”. Centre the QR code in your camera’s viewfinder and the scanned information will appear on screen.
when operating the power presses. They acquired the chair in 2001 when the factories previous owners (GE Power Controls) left it behind when they transferred production to Poland. The fusegear factory had operated on that site since the 1940’s. Over it’s life time it was English Electric Fusegear, GEC Fusegear, GEC Industrial Equipment, GEC ALSTOM Low Voltage and finally GE Power controls. The factory building is about 25 years old. It was built by the North West Development Agency on the site of the former Napier Engines factory.
There are no markings indicating who designed the chair or where it was manufactured. The design is similar to that of the “Toledo Style”. The Toledo Metal Furniture, Co. (1897-present) is a division of Banner Metal, Inc. in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. It was founded by brothers Joe and Clement Uhl, who designed a great number of the school and office furniture pieces now associated with a vintage, industrial chic look. Most of these vintage drafting stools were manufactured during the Machine Age in the first half of the 20th century. With fully adjustable seat and back height and a pivoting base, the heavy steel and wood materials were designed to withstand weight and frequent use.
This industrial chair was about to be disposed of from Tranect Ltd, a rail terminal factory in Liverpool when we rescued it. They make electrical components from copper braid, copper tube and copper cable. Their products are used for safety critical applications in railways, standby power systems and in lightning protection. John Cooke, the press setter & operator would occasionally sit on the chair
factories previous owners (GE Power Controls) left it behind when they transferred production to Poland. It is thought that the table has been passed down from various owners since the 1940’s when the site belonged to the former Napier Engines Factory. Factory worker Lucas Gebala would occasionally use the table as a work bench for assembling special copper braid earth bonds. These are small electrical connectors that are used to prevent static electricity build up on pipes and valves where that may be a health and safety issue. Such as chemical plants and on board ships, such as containers used for transporting fireworks.
There are no markings indicating who designed the table or where it was manufactured. The tubular steel indicates that it was influenced by the Bauhaus. An important contribution made by the Bauhaus school was the use of steel frames as supports for different types of furniture, including tables, chairs, sofas and lamps. The use of machine-made, mass-produced steel tubing created simple forms requiring little handcrafting or upholstery. Tubular steel greatly reduced production costs and thus the cost of the final product. It also contributed to the streamlined, modern look of the furniture.
This table was about to be disposed of from the same rail terminal factory in Liverpool as Prototype 1. Called Tranect, they make electrical components from copper braid, copper tube and copper cable. Their products are used for safety critical applications in Railways, Standby Power systems and in lightning protection. Tranect inherited the table when they first moved into the factory. The
opened in 1976. The School is UCLan’s largest and longest established, and has developed an enviable heritage for teaching and innovation in the UK. for example, they were at the forefront of professionalising emerging design disciplines, and began the very first design sandwich course in the UK. The Victoria Building houses purpose-built studios and workshops for the needs of all the design disciplines including photographic studios and computer imaging facilities.
The university has its roots in The Institution For The Diffusion Of Useful Knowledge which was founded in 1828. Subsequently known as Harris Art College, then Preston Polytechnic, then Lancashire Polytechnic, in 1992 it was granted University status by the Privy Council. The university is the fourteenth largest in the UK in terms of student numbers.
There are no markings indicating who designed the stools or where they were manufactured. The style is often found in the education sector in science labs and workshops. These stools often come with a five year manufacturers guarantee because they are such a sturdy and practical design.
These stools were left abandoned outside the Victoria building at UCLan. They had been left exposed to the elements in the ceramics yard and where extremely damp when we found them. Although slightly damaged and rusty, this has given the stools a beautiful patina which helps tell the story of what they have lived through. They had originally belonged to the workshop and had been there since the building first
Dodo, Northern Lights,
Knowledge Transfer, Media Factory, 4th Floor, UCLan, Preston, PR1 2HE
Tel: 07763831242
Email: info_dodolab.co.uk
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IPhone
The app has auto-detect scan so simply hold your iPhone in the direction of the QR Code you wish to scan.
BlackBerry
Go to http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/13962?lang=en
Click on QR Code Scanner Pro.
Click on download (it’s free).
Simply put your phone over the QR Code and it will scan instantly and automatically.
Android
Go to https://market.android.com/search?q=QR+Code&so=1&c=apps
Click on QR Droid.
Install (it’s free).
Dodo Lab is a research project set up to find ways of regenerating old and unwanted pieces of furniture. The experimental nature of the project has led to us keeping prototype (1, 2 & 3 etc) as the name for each of the pieces. Each prototype comes with a QR (Quick Response) Code that unites the prototypes past, present, and future. By scanning the barcode with a smartphone you unlock information about its former life also allowing the new owner to contribute to its ongoing narrative. This adds intrigue and a unique human history to the once neglected objects, making them valuable and special once more. The Prototypes can only be bought by swapping services or by doing a good deed, much like designers within their working environment, therefore the only currency used is the swap or deed itself. Each prototype comes with a product tag which has instructions on the back of it explaining how the new owner can generate a QR Code of their own to add to the furniture so they can carry on it's story.
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