Puzzle Cell Lamp

Generative wood lighting, snaps together like a puzzle

floraform

Floraform is inspired by the biomechanics of growing leaves and blooming flowers. Each piece emerges from a computational simulation of differential growth, a surface that grows at different rates in different location. The flowering structures expand fastest along their edges, evolving from simple surfaces to flexuous forms that fill space with curves, folds, and ruffles.

kinematics

Kinematics is a system for designing and simulating flexible structures for 3D printing. Kinematics generates customized designs composed of 10s to thousands of hinged, interlocking modules. The designs are computationally folded using rigid-body physics into a smaller form for fabrication by 3D printing.

design your own

Our web-based apps enable anyone to design their own 3D printable jewelry.

Generative design software

We create design software and web-applications based on scientific theories of pattern formation.

Growing Objects

The exhibition "Growing Objects" explored our work with simulations of natural growth processes through 3D printed sculpture.

about us
Nervous System is a generative design studio that works at the intersection of science, art, and technology. Drawing inspiration from natural phenomena, we create computer simulations to generate designs and use digital fabrication to realize products.
latest news
  • September 19, 2023
    We knew the Spectre Puzzle was as much a toy as a puzzle, but we didn’t realize how creative peopl…
  • September 06, 2023
    The Spectre Puzzle is a wooden puzzle and mathematical toy consisting of identically shaped pieces w…
  • April 20, 2023
    Colorful jellyfish drift through a dark sea in our newest puzzle. This is the first in a new series…
  • January 19, 2023
    The New York Times ran a full page in the Science section on Nervous System! The article “They’r…
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