This project is a physical window into an illustrated backyard, that features both coded elements, as well as real life interactions. Through the use of Processing, MadMapper, and an Arduino (as well as a ton of hot glue), I built a 2x3ft window that allows the user to flip a switch to make it rain real water as well as alter the coded scene behind it to throw the peaceful summertime backyard into a thunderstorm. 

But yes, I built an indoor, projection mapped thunderstorm window in a studio apartment with a hacksaw and a hot glue gun.

Items/Programs/Things Used in this Project:

This wild ride started with two ideas, one being a comically large Etch-A-Sketch that would print out generative art for you, and the other one, a real window that with a flip of a switch you could make it thunderstorm in a projection mapped backyard.

The window idea won.

I wanted to base my idea on how Disney originally built out frames for hand drawn illustrations in order to give the window a sense of depth, as well as providing a space for the water to drain out without flooding the space or ruining what I had built.

The next problem, I live in a studio apartment that is just large enough for what I own, let alone a wood working space.

Regardless of the space limitations, I pressed on. I used two overhead sized suitcases as saw horses, and I built my two frames. These would serve as the structure for the window, to give it some substance, and overall shape. 

They are each 2x3 ft in size and cut with small hacksaw from 8ft pieces of wood.

A major component, aside from the window, was the backyard that would fill the space. So I illustrated three “frames” that I would later project into the scene. 

Each would allow me to switch throughout as I needed. I then projected, and traced them onto poster board and cut them out with an exacto knife.

From here I began to build out the Arduino system that would ultimately be controlled by a lightswitch, and would influence what was being MadMapp-ered into the scene.

After a small amount of apartment flooding, I had a working prototype!

Then with all the parts assembled with equal amounts hot glue and a dream, the last step was to combine the physical window with the projected environment so that it could all come together.

And with that, my college experience came to a close somehow.

Thank you for reading through! :)

Here is a link to a brief write up I did about this on Medium as well.