To help visualize the three-dimensional quality of the surface, the team went through a prototyping process that involved popping bubble wrap over a pattern of planned raised, flat, and depressed dots.
Oriented strand board was milled on a three-axis CNC router to correspond to the positive and negative bumps on each specific tile. These boards were fitted behind the tiles and attached with adhesive to give support to the thin polystyrene material and to ensure that the tiles were spaced uniformly.
The patterning of the panels was customized to the needs of this particular bathroom application. The ceiling fan vent and skylight, for example, are accommodated by perforated panels—an adaptive characteristic that piqued the jury's interest.
Panels were formed to accommodate an accessory console that holds everything from toilet paper to a cell phone as well as the designers' signature.
Perforated panels
All panels are joined via a serpentine seam that weaves between the dots on the adjacent tiles so as not to disrupt the overall effect of the vacuum-formed surface
