Wall Fan

Wall Fan, 2008
Maple veneer + Aluminum mesh

This fan went through many iterations. In deciding what to make for this project, I had to consider what pieces I already had and what I could easily move with me when I left Pittsburgh. I love to have my windows open when it’s warm and decided a fan would be an interesting challenge.

Photo taken with my Nikon FM2

At first, my idea was a counter-rotating design similar to Russian attack helicopters. Unfortunately I had to abandon this idea one it became clear it would be cost prohibitive.

I arrived at this form factor for several reasons. First, I needed to brace the fan assembly separate from my found fan motor, as it would not be able to take the weight. Second, I wanted the piece to be a contrast of the organic bent ply forms and mechanical parts, thus I had to make sure some of these parts were visible. After all, I worked hard to make them! Finally, the blade shape is derived from windmills. The standard fan blade shape creates a dead zone directly under it. This shape provides more even distribution of air.

This is not a design for mass consumption. Note the obvious element of danger in adjusting
the controls with the blades in motion.

As mentioned in the caption above, the purpose of this fan was not a design for production. It is as much a display piece as a functional object. As I developed the idea, I quickly began to like the idea of danger in the design. As designers we spend a lot of time making sure our work is safe and easy for people to use. It was refreshing to do the exact opposite.

Detail of the lower bearing. The fan rotates on twin sealed bearings to remove as much strain
from the motor as possible.

Below is a video I made to demonstrate how the motor and blade rotor assembly work together. The video was made before I attached the motor axle to the fan, so it’s wobbling more that it actually does now.