The Noctambulant

(Created: 2019-2020)

“Take a detour off the Arroyo Seco Parkway, and be dazzled by an art-deco jewel. Sculpted to the streamline style of the machine age, the space is a respite for any industrious motorist or modern man of the future.”

I designed the noctambulant to invoke the early 30s era of Los Angeles Streamline art deco. Buckminster Fullers Dymaxion cars pull up at this similarly retro futurist drive-in restaurant. A common dining program from the 30s that was decades later, immortalized in Americana decades by films like American Graffiti.\

Be sure to watch the video below for complete immersion into the design and atmosphere of this old place, while same timing learning a bit about LA history.

Made with Blender, Substance painter, Quixel mixer, Megascans, Reality capture, AutoCAD, Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, Fusion360, and UVlayout.

The Title Screens

Architectural designs are diagrammed via the look of title screens of 1930s films. These title screens should educate and remind, remind viewers of seeing grand title screens from old films like “Grapes of Wrath” and “42nd street.”

This one portrays the “Dymaxion Car.” At the start of the 1930s, legendary architect Buckminster Fuller designed an art deco cart of the future that could theoretically fly in the air, drive on land, and float in the water. It was called the Dymaxion car and made it’s debut at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. Unfortunately it never became a true consumer product, however in the art deco fantasy of the Noctambulant, it’s the vehicle of choice.

Streamline art deco is based on the design concept of forms optimized for motion. The airfoil of a wing, engineered to optimized surface area that creates lift. Buoyancy of a boat, that is engineered for floatation. Or the aerodynamics of a car, carved by wind. Streamline art deco makes these principals visual by literally reflecting them in aesthetic themes. The Noctambulant takes this a step further, with the interior appearing as if it has been carved out by airways. - Jh3d — Streamline art deco is based on the design concept of forms optimized for motion. The airfoil of a wing, engineered to optimized surface area that creates lift. Buoyancy of a boat, that is engineered for floatation. Or the aerodynamics of a car, carved by wind. Streamline art deco makes these principals visual by literally reflecting them in aesthetic themes. The Noctambulant takes this a step further, with the interior appearing as if it has been carved out by airways.

Streamline art deco romanticizes the speed of the future. This isn’t an architectural style where designs are made to be functional, but rather design aesthetically romanticize the function of machines. Here a cooking range is themed to the feeling of a car dashboard with speed dials and all. - Jh3d — Streamline art deco romanticizes the speed of the future. This isn’t an architectural style where designs are made to be functional, but rather design aesthetically romanticize the function of machines. Here a cooking range is themed to the feeling of a car dashboard with speed dials and all.

The "Axis-Mundi" is an ancient architectural principle going back to the era of Stonehenge and the pyramids. Vertical alignment in architecture spiritually unites Earth with the Heavens and Hell.

Of course, that's not the case with the Noctambulant. Here, the axis-mundi is a vertical fin that aligns a neon flytrap for hungry diners, with counter service dining. - Jh3d — The "Axis-Mundi" is an ancient architectural principle going back to the era of Stonehenge and the pyramids. Vertical alignment in architecture spiritually unites Earth with the Heavens and Hell.

Of course, that's not the case with the Noctambulant. Here, the axis-mundi is a vertical fin that aligns a neon flytrap for hungry diners, with counter service dining.

Central piece of the drive-in's interior is the sculptured fountain. You could say it is a fountainhead, from where the good things come. That is, drinks and watching the time. - Jh3d — Central piece of the drive-in's interior is the sculptured fountain. You could say it is a fountainhead, from where the good things come. That is, drinks and watching the time.

To engage with the automotive diners outside the restaurant, the Noctambulant features 180 degrees of viewing. Motorists will never go hungry when even the most negligent of waitresses have this much of a viewing angle. - Jh3d — To engage with the automotive diners outside the restaurant, the Noctambulant features 180 degrees of viewing. Motorists will never go hungry when even the most negligent of waitresses have this much of a viewing angle.

At the start of the 1930s, legendary architect Buckminster Fuller designed an art deco cart of the future that could theoretically fly in the air, drive on land, and float in the water. It was called the Dymaxion car and made it’s debut at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. Unfortunately it never became a true consumer product, however in the art deco fantasy of the Noctambulant, it’s the vehicle of choice. - Jh3d — At the start of the 1930s, legendary architect Buckminster Fuller designed an art deco cart of the future that could theoretically fly in the air, drive on land, and float in the water. It was called the Dymaxion car and made it’s debut at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. Unfortunately it never became a true consumer product, however in the art deco fantasy of the Noctambulant, it’s the vehicle of choice.

At every counter there is a decision. Right or left. And if encountering another counter, right or left again. Encountering another counter after the last encounter with a counter is yet again another decision.

So how else to display the cosmic cycle of split counters that lead to split encounters then to show the infinite possibilities in a branching diagram of encountering counters. - Jh3d — At every counter there is a decision. Right or left. And if encountering another counter, right or left again. Encountering another counter after the last encounter with a counter is yet again another decision.

So how else to display the cosmic cycle of split counters that lead to split encounters then to show the infinite possibilities in a branching diagram of encountering counters.

Its not a UFO, its not a flying saucer, its simply the Noctambulant!

Don't be fooled by the saucer that floats as the roof above the restaurant. It is in fact structurally supported by the fountain that hides the structural pillar. - Jh3d — Its not a UFO, its not a flying saucer, its simply the Noctambulant!

Don't be fooled by the saucer that floats as the roof above the restaurant. It is in fact structurally supported by the fountain that hides the structural pillar.

While many streamline art deco buildings get swept up in the bundles of speed lines. The Noctambulant is instead swept up in the topology of parabolas! - Jh3d — While many streamline art deco buildings get swept up in the bundles of speed lines. The Noctambulant is instead swept up in the topology of parabolas!

A curvilinear array of booths follow the perpendicular tangent of curved walls.

Unfortunately certain impossibilities in geometry make this design decision a miss with the corner booth lovers out there. - Jh3d — A curvilinear array of booths follow the perpendicular tangent of curved walls.

Unfortunately certain impossibilities in geometry make this design decision a miss with the corner booth lovers out there.

Home The Noctambulant

Jh3d

Env Art & Architecture

The Noctambulant

The Title Screens

Drawings

Props & Set Dressing