tufted sofa | Mar 2010
Outdoor seating ready for all weather conditions.
This sofa traces tradition tufted seams, cracks, and buttons, in powder coated steel. Water, dirt, and grime, won’t find their home here.
laser cut steel, formed and welded. available in many colors
74” wide x 35” deep x 28” tall
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inner city bike | Nov 2009
available spring 2010, http://www.innercitybikes.com
Our project, simplicity in inner city bicycling, was at first glance a fun aesthetic opportunity in new trends, color, and materials. Our target lived / worked in an inner city environment with minimal space. Bicycling at this level can be more about fashion and culture than speed and performance.
After the first few brainstorm sessions we knew there were bigger opportunities. The project rethought what a “frame” meant, getting rid of basic key components, and creating a new type of compact bicycling. Inspired by the “hobby horse” from it’s simplicity and the cafe race scene. Each is an exercise in stripping something down to its core.
The final design came down to a frame system and a free-wheeling unicycle rear hub. Everything else is rider preference.
Before all of the bike fanatics get all fired up, we know this bike doesn’t solve everyone’s personal transportation dreams. Performance wise, the bike is on the slow side, quirky, and fatiguing over longer distances. Consider it a cafe racer with the performance of a beach cruiser. The positives are easy quick turns, huge power to the rear wheel to go over curbs and other city scape structures, and great start / stopping / sitting situations.
We rethought everything 2 wheeled with simplicity in mind. This is as stripped as you can get.
Very few parts.
29 × 2.35 tires
29” rims, choice
Fork, shock choice
handle bars, choice
rear hub (planetary internal freewheeling, unicycle through axle)
brakes, front disc only
pedals, choice
power boat | Oct 2009
We need to look forward again-
“First of all, it’s a sculpture, a visual prototype, that explores simple forms and gestures,” says Ruiter. “I think that we should be able to see ourselves in objects. These objects should point us in a direction, and should create situations where we can be inspired.”
“’Power Boat’ has a few simple lines, a wicked sweet surface-drive propeller and some shiny paint,” he adds. “All the nouns you’d associate with a power boat are there and bring it to life. Nothing visually suggests a watercraft, yet its design is all about speed and performance. One can easily imagine themselves driving this, especially since you can see the reflection of your head in the driver’s seat.”
Ruiter used welded aluminum to create the core structure. Surface drive propeller, OEM controls, electric motor, batteries and some trick hydrofoils, make up the rest. “When you connect the lines and arrange the marine type objects in an unconventional way, it doesn’t feel like a boat,” he says. “That’s the whole idea. In reality, it isn’t an abstract version of a vessel, but a small step forward in performance, fuel consumption and natural un-disturbances – low horse power, no noise, no wake and nearly zero intrusion into the water.”
“Power Boat” is intended to raise questions, inspire new ways of thinking and challenge stereotypes of why we do things the way we do today. That is Ruiter the artist and the designer together at work.
Technical details:
width: 60” x height: 72” x lenght: 160”
airboat | Sep 2009
personal watercraft airboat. The ultimate, go anywhere, personal watercraft.
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Pontoon - Huck Finn | Jun 2008
No covering, minimal parts, open to the elements, and useful even at the end of the dock as it is parked. Built with Michigan grown wood deck, 26” aluminum pontoons, 25hp tiller style motor, and solar navigation lighting. This boat needs as much upkeep as your dock.
24ft length, 8.5ft beam, 10” draft
local church | Mar 2008
The Local Church is a way to franchise churches. It may not have a steeple, but it’s yellow door can immediately recognized as a place to get help and get connected. The Local Church is a satellite building that can be built anywhere and everywhere in the city: in strip malls, subdivisions and downtown alleys. The people who need church most can find it when and where they need it most.
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Front Runner | Feb 2008
Imagine the thrill of off-roading, but on the water. Carve. Spin out. Drift a corner. Or imagine packing up your camping gear into a boat and setting off to a deserted island for an overnight adventure.
The boat is the Front-Runner, a full-size hydrofoil watercraft made unique by twin forward-mounted jet-drive motors. More aircraft than boat, it has an airplane-like steering system that allows changes in heading, pitch and bank. The Front-Runner can navigate waters that are usually inaccessible. It is 11’ long and has two 215 horsepower motors, ergonomic crew chairs, a retractable top and ample space for storing gear. On top of it all, it’s made of entirely recyclable materials.
In the boating industry, options for the adventure seeker are limited. But the Front-Runner is one notable exception. Its estimated production cost and selling price are comparable to any typical twin-engine jet boat of its size. This design isn’t far from reality.
Ruiter has designed, engineered, and constructed an innovative watercraft. What makes this boat unique are the twin forward-mounted jet-drive motors.
“You can take the this kind of boat into un-chartered waters.”
The Front-Runner is more aircraft than boat. It has an airplane-like steering system that allows changes in heading, pitch, bank, and a design that allows it to navigate waters usually inaccessible.
The position of the motors, along with the suspension, allow it to pierce the water and carve in and out of turns. The rear hydrofoil lifts the boat body out of the water so the driver can control different aspects of the ride. This design changes the rider’s experience. Because the motor is extended in front of the bow, there is more of a ‘pulling’ feel compared to the “pushing” feel of a traditional boat. “The advantage is this boat can do more, with more control and function, and go so many more places,” comments Ruiter, a local award-winning industrial designer. “This boat will go where most boats can’t because it will run in extremely shallow water, and it’s got a tremendous range.” The boat itself is eleven feet long, and features a robust interior roll cage. Twin supercharged 215 horsepower motors provide a small boat like this with a lot of power.
Ruiter has designed boats, motors, and interiors for the boating industry
before, but this concept boat brings a whole new attitude to small boating.
He calls it the Front-Runner. It is functional yet loaded with design
innovation.
Ruiter describes why he focused on a new design for a smaller boat. “Large scale boats get most of the attention in this industry. Smaller boats for the average weekend boater are often ignored when it comes to new and innovative approaches. I wanted to challenge the thinking about small boats. The Front-Runner takes advantage of new technology, and creates a new boating experience. There isn’t another small boat out there like this.”
Ruiter brought in Spectrum Sand Sports of Holland, MI to help construct the Front-Runners unique tubular frame. They build long-travel sand cars for west coast style Baja racing. Andrew Prinns, owner of Spectrum, was surprised when Ruiter asked him for a tubular frame with full suspension and articulation for a boat. Ruiter and Prinns built the boat’s ‘suspension’ together and both enjoyed collaborating on this innovative concept.
In addition to the forward-mounted jet-drive motors, the Front-Runner features:
Modified four-link suspension and steering for aircraft-like controland feel
Hydrofoil on four-bar linkage to control boat elevation and ride
Environmentally sustainable design
An all-aluminum frame and skin that resists rust, dents, and dings
Materials are easily separated, and recyclable
Retractable California style top
Ergonomic crew chairs for all-day cruising comfort
Spacious cargo area (approx. 30 sq. ft. of deck space) with integrated lash cleats
Tambour rear door that allows for easy loading and unloading
Overall dimensions: 18’2” L x 8’6” W x 5’2” H
Twin 215 horsepower motors
The Front Runner could be produced and sold at a price comparable to a typical twin-engine jet boat. Ruiter would like to see a manufacturer put the Front-Runner into production. “This design isn’t that far from reality. It’s a new way of thinking about small boats. From a production standpoint, I’ve reorganized and repositioned semi-standard components in new ways.
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the thousand dollar club. | Jun 2007
1957 Wagemaker and 1958 Evinrude Lark 35
Could an inexpensive boat that is light-weight to tow, easy to use, very durable, and great to look at, be less than $1000? It turns out yes. Just add 10hrs of polishing, a little paint, new seat covers, and a vintage in-dash eight track player. (some assembly required)