the hoverbar is functional mobile artifice designed for and donated to the cranbrook museum of art in bloomfield hills, michigan. it provides an efficient service platform from which to serve food and drinks during exhibitions and social functions. with the turn of a key and the flick of a switch, the hoverbar lifts off of the ground and floats making it easily guidable to its destination.
credits:
bill massie:artist in residence, architecture department
heather mcgill:artist in residence, sculpture department
andy duke:electrical consultant
matt starbuck:hover craft consultant
gary venable:master carpenter
greg wittkopp:cranbrook art museum
because manufactured SIPs made from 5/8” OSB and 1-1/2” polystyrene prooved to be too heavy, the choice to make custom SIP panels was decided. 1/8” birch plywood and 2” polystyrene were purchased and affixed together using an epoxy resin. the final product proved to be half the weight and a fraction of the cost. once the (4) panels were glued together, a template was laser cut to route out the center fan column void. 1/8” bendable birch plywood was positioned around laser cut spacers and a 2’-6” concrete footing tube to maintain as close to a circle as possible. the electric motor mount is made from 3/4” oak hardwood. a two part marine polyurethane foam was used to glue the whole assembly together. once the foam has dried, it can easily be sculpted to form the curved upper portion of the air intake. at this point, the bottom SIP is ready for fiberglass reinforcement and finally a couple of coats of latex paint to finish it off.
