MDU (LOT-EK) : Special Projects

For many years Control Group has worked with innovative architecture firm LOT-EK to support the technology needs of their prolific New York office. When the University of California, Santa Barbara Art Museum organized a traveling exhibition of LOT-EK's Mobile Dwelling Unit in conjunction with the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis Control Group was asked to provide the technology infrastructure for the project.

The LOT-EK: Mobile Dwelling Unit (MDU) is a living space built into and from a 40ft standard steel shipping container. The original container is modified with sliding modules created to expand the narrow space while stationary and then retract for transport and stacking of multiple units. LOT-EK wanted the technology for the project to follow the same concept as the structure itself and to eschew slickness for modular functionality and portability. To accomplish this goal Control Group installed an integrated entertainment, communication and information system accessible throughout the unit and designed to be, like the MDU itself, totally mobile. LOT-EK envisioned the possibility of large quantities of MDUs able to connect to shared utilities creating an MDU complex out of independent units.

To create a technology infrastructure that would be both highly independent but easily integrated into existing systems, Control Group utilized a combination of technologies including Voice Over IP, High Speed Wireless and Media Streaming protocols. The LOT-EK: Mobile Dwelling Unit has been on exhibit at the Whitney in New York as well as the UCSB Art Museum, Walker Art Center and exhibits throughout Europe.

Client Stories

Grimshaw : Managed Services MDU (LOT-EK) : Special Projects Neue Galerie : Website and Database Integration Stone Barns Institute Center for Food and Agriculture : Campus Wireless Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects : CAD/Application Support