WOW architects: wyvern - born by the wind

WOW architects: wyvern – born by the wind

japan creative studio WOW created a new installation ‘WYVERN – born by the wind’, on show during tokyo design week, in the courtyard of the AXIS building.

the one-off car WYVERN has been developed by the japanese company ‘modi’, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. the two-seater sports car is the result of the brand’s long in-house-to-production experience. modi belongs to the murakami & co. group, founded in 1957 and established inichinoseki-city in iwate in 1992. the prototype development has been directed by hiroshi yuki hoshimiya– ‘the meaning of WYVERN is: dragon with wings standing on two legs’ he says.

‘WYVERN – born by the wind’ in motion video © designboom

aerodynamic precision processing technology has been adopted, one of the most important challenges in the development of the body. how the air is flowing around the body is directly connected to the drive speed and acceleration performance. with this installation the creative studio WOW wanted to visualize the flow of the wind (which is usually invisible). the lighting of the headlights in blue color turns gradually into flickering heartbeat.

back view

technical specifications:

dimensions: length:3950mm / Width:1800mm / Height:1110mm weight: 870kg approach angle: 8.0 . / departure angle: 15.6 front overhang: 930mm / rear overhang: 720mm engine: 4-cylinder DOHC VVTL-i supercharger / 1,795cc maximum power: 220ps / 7,800r.p.m maximum torque: 21.4kg/m / 5,500r.p.m

concept sketch

concept sketch of the dashboard

3D model

refining the full scale model

model

model

WOW is a visual design studio based in tokyo, sendai, florence and london. the collective is involved in a wide field of design from advertising and commercial works to installation works for exhibition spaces, and also invent new user interface designs for prominent brand names. they are also very passionate about creating original art works, holding exhibitions not only in japan but also internationally.

modi brings together foundational craftsmanship, art and technology of japan, and with its facility and staff being capable of prototype building, and limited production assembly, modi has been providing as world’s top services to international customers in automotive and product design industry. customers can now enjoy its full capacity from design and engineering to prototyping and production. in particularly with its dry carbon autoclave, metal stamping and milling skills, modi provides a rare full service to worldwide customers.