History
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002
“Ovei is inspired by the evolution of modern architecture, design and technology during the past twenty years. The underlying concept, is a sanctuary for the individual.
It’s not about isolation or disconnection, it’s about nurturing inner wellness and strength. Focused and invigorated we perform better and become more resilient to the aggressive demands of modern life.
The Ovei is now recognised by renowned architects and designers as a perfect compliment modern residential and commercial projects”. Lee McCormack.
Jul-09
New website launched; produced by Folk Creative.
Jun-09
The Ovei was part of the Dell suites event in Versailles where it was powered by Alienware to deliver the ultimate gaming experience.
May-09
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Apr-09
Ovei appoints Blue4 as its official media technology provider.
Ovei is featured in the “Home of the Future” and “Try Me Zone” at London’s “Grand Designs” exhibition, watch the video.
Mar-09
The new Ovei Well-Being capsule exhibit opens at the Science Museum’s “Fast Forward, 20 Ways F1 is Changing Our World” exhibition in London. Ron Dennis is photographed at the opening being the first to try out the new Ovei design, see the opening.
Feb-09
Ovei develops robotic imaging technology to facilitate the 8 elements well-being diagnosis process founded by Dr. Nadia Volf.
Jan-09
Ovei returns to its origins and embraces the single door design thanks to the ongoing success of the new door engineering program.
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Dec-08
A new seating design enables the Ovei to electronically control the seats movement using linear actuator technology.
Nov-08
Oculas Group Europe successfully wins the contract to design and engineer a well-being diagnostic Ovei that for the first time will map the processes of a doctor in the fild of acupuncture to create a reliable and robust technological solution that makes the project scalable.
Oct-08
New control software that integrates the Ovei control functions with its’ surrounding architecture has begun.
Sep-08
Latest re-engineering program begins on the Ovei’s electronic door mechanism in order to eliminate the need for two doors.
Aug-08
Research findings on the Ovei functionality in the field informs on the best engineering and design program going forward.
Jul-08
The Ovei interior goes through a redesign which sees new monitor arm technology begin its development.
Jun-08
Two prototype Ovei’s exhibited for the first time at the CEDIA exhibition in the ExCeL centre in London.
May-08
Diageo’s driving simulator Ovei is presented at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Apr-08
Final design and engineering process with McLaren is completed.
Production of two new Ovei begin; one in black and one in white.
Mar-08
Diageo commission a Race Simulator conversion to one of their existing Ovei’s for use at the Monaco Grand Prix in May.
Feb-08
22nd, the new product is renamed Ovei with Oculas becoming the name of the group – The Oculas Group.
Jan-08
New design of the launch spec Oculas for the private individual begins.
The first annual technology redesign program begins.
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Dec-07
Oculas signs a three year marketing contract with McLaren.
Oculas takes 2,000 sq ft in Cordy House in Shoreditch as a research laboratory.
McLaren begins final reverse engineering and design modification process based on new design data and testing.
Oct-07
Exhibition using the concrete Oculas at the Northern Gallery of Contemporary Art in, “Decompression Chamber“.
Sep-07
First set of Carbon Fibre doors produced reducing the weight from 16kg to 7kg.
Meeting at Mitsubishi Electric to discuss advanced control technologies.
Aug-07
Creation of a one-off concrete Oculas using the OV1 as an experimental art piece.
Lee McCormack accepted at the Architectural Association on an MA in History & Theories of Architecture in order to research the future for the Oculas within architecture.
Jul-07
Deliver first of seven units to Diageo.
Jun-07
Research begins into smart materials and pressure sensors.
Order received from the King of Morocco.
May-07
First complete Oculas delivered to McLaren headquarters in Woking.
14th: photoshoot and video production of world champion Fernando Alonso describing the F1 experience inside the Oculas.
Diageo, owner of Johnnie Walker and sponsor of McLaren, get an exclusive preview of the new Oculas.
Diageo order 7 units for the Johnny Walker ‘Black Label’ campaign for the Asian leg of the F1 Grand Prix.
Private presentation of the Oculas to an audience of investors at the Coutts headquarters on the Strand, London.
Apr-07
Photoshoot of LCM and the Oculas for the British Airways Business Life magazine – High Life.
U.S basketball player places an order.
Two orders received from United Arab Emirates for private individuals.
Photoshoot with the McLaren Oculas at the Ascari car factory in Banbury.
Mar-07
Climate control system test – with 25% power it cooled the Oculas interior to 40 degrees Fahrenheit with an external temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit – successful.
Order received from private individual from Russia.
Begin researching development of Carbon Fibre doors in a bid to further reduce weight.
Oculas commission a short film to play as a demonstration of the Oculas sound system.
Feb-07
9th: advanced door test by McLaren and Mitsubishi Electric – tolerance requires further adjusting.
Stage 1 seat design complete, begin producing patterns and tools for substrate.
Jan-07
15th: testing the escape door mechanism.
Design and engineering begins on the driven monitor arm.
Climate control system prototype tested – requires further engineering.
Dec-06
6th: first ten shells are put into production.
14th: sound and light tests begin.
McLaren begin engineering the right hand safety door release mechanism.
Manufacturing reports received from Indian factories for production of the shells.
Nov-06
16th: first complete shell produced with all tooled surfaces.
Identify issues that require further engineering.
30th: all manufacturers meet at McLaren to resolve the outstanding engineering and production design issues.
Oct-06
Design process begins on the climate control system.
Re-tool in order to reduce the overall weight of the doors by at least 35%.
Sep-06
Pre live test of door mechanism design at Mitsubishi Electric Europe.
McLaren engineer new gearbox mounting and drive axle for upcoming live door test based on prototype analysis.
Fri 22nd, Electronic door test on live Oculas shell – successful.
Meet with McLaren to discuss seating design.
Aug-06
Begin investigating production facilities in India for the GRP shells by visiting several manufacturers.
McLaren engineer components for tool positioning.
Jul-06
Manufacture first GRP items. Waxing/manufacture of 2nd tool halves.
Jun-06
Damon Hill visits the studio on Fri 30th to experience the Race Extreme Oculas straight from the opening of the F1 exhibition at the London Design Museum.
May-06
Meet at Mitsubishi Electric Europe to run a test on the door mechanism in operation – test successful.
Built a prototype of the Race Extreme using the OV1 for review by McLaren.
Place the order for the patterns and tooling from the McLaren engineered CATIA models.
Apr-06
McLaren engineering door design.
Presentation to Vodafone by McLaren to explore the potential of the Oculas as a Micro Retail unit.
Mar-06
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Dec-05
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Nov-05
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Oct-05
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Sep-05
Andrea Reynolds joins the company.
Interactive show space at Heathrow Terminal 4 Departure lounge opens.
Aug-05
Private release of the Oculas range and Formsquare with integrated ‘Oculas inside’ product.
Jul-05
Jun-05
May-05
Worldwide film launch of the “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” movie in London with promotional press focussed around the Oculas.
Apr-05
The refined Oculas revisits the Designersblock exhibition in Milan to gain essential insight into its market position and direction.
Lee McCormack’s book ‘Designers Are Wankers’ is published and distributed by Thames & Hudson. The book explores alternative ideas that help designers bring ideas to market and features key interviews with industry guru’s including Paul Smith, Neville Brody and Karim Rashid.
Mar-05
The Oculas for BVI were completed and delivered on-time out of McLaren’s old HQ in Woking. Designersblock exhibition, London.
Feb-05
The Oculas is tested on a BBC TV programme exploring the science of sleep on BBC 1 February 2 @ 8pm. ‘How To Sleep Better’, hosted by Robert Winston. The Oculas proved a surprising success with 80% of the tested insomniac’s actually fell asleep within 20 minutes of being inside it.
Jan-05
Following the exposure in Selfridges, Lee McCormack was introduced to McLaren Applied Technologies (M.A.T.). McCormack met with Mike Phillips and after demostrating the Oculas experience, discussed the design challenges that were faced in its production. M.A.T. offered McCormack an engineering partnership which would see the beginning of a 3 year re-engineering programme. M.A.T. were also kind enough to provide McCormack with the full use of their old HQ in Woking for the purposes of fulfilling the BVI order whilst negotiations for the McLaren contract were underway.
McCormack contacted Alienware to begin exploring the potential for collaboration on a PC gaming specific version of the Oculas.
Presentation of the Kimi Raikkonen Ascari racing helmet Oculas at the ‘Autosport International Show’, Birmingham.
Darren Mennell was recruited to assist with the development of the next phase of the Oculas project.
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Dec-04
Confirmation received for the purchase of 25 Oculas for BVI.
Nov-04
A series of presentations to the heads of BVI from 12 countries continued throughout the whole of November and into December.
Oct-04
The Oculas is exhibited in the ‘Earth Gallery’ at the Natural History Museum, the ‘International Music Festival’, Leeds and Designersblock, Tokyo.
Lee McCormack was approached by Buena Vista International (BVI) regarding the Oculas as a marketing platform to promote the “Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy” film.
Sep-04
Artist Will Barras creates art pieces using the Oculas as a canvas live during the Designersblock exhibitiob in London.
Reveal an Oculas interactive eyewear experience at Kirk Originals store in London.
Aug-04
Exhibit at the ‘Architecture Bienniale’, Farmiloes Building, London.
Jul-04
Invited to exhibit at the ‘What Next’ forum for young designers in London.
Jun-04
The design program on the Cube and Twin as well as continuing to develop the Original continue through June and into July non-stop.
May-04
The first Oculas with electronic door design is revealed at the ‘Top Marques’ car show in Monaco with Ascari Cars.
Lee McCormack begins working on the full range of micro-architectural environments which include the Cube and the Twin.
Apr-04
Testing of the electronic door mechanism was successful after a process of design modifications.
Mar-04
Completion of the first prototype electronic door mechanism, goes for testing before being used in public.
Feb-04
Lee McCormack was approached by Disney to use the Oculas in their film, ‘Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’, it is placed on the flight deck of the “Heart of Gold” spaceship.
Jan-04
McCormack works on refining the applications and environments suitable for the Oculas concept. Areas explored included gaming, light and sound therapies, office suites utilising video conferencing and online training, as well as multimedia marketing.
The prototype Oculas is placed into Selfridges, London to ascertain the scope of consumer interest and learn from their feedback.
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Dec-03
The Oculas appears on Ireland’s ‘ Late Late Show’ Christmas special and the first consumer orders are received.
Nov-03
The Oculas prototype is featured in the “Dream Pad” at the Toys 4 Big Boys exhibition in Dublin, Ireland.
Lee McCormack initiates a new design program to convert the hydraulic door mechanism into an electronic door.
Oct-03
With the new soundsystem in place the design concept was then presented to audiophiles at the Sightsonic Festival in York. The pod had the honour of previewing the great works of Mr Scruff through independent label Ninja Tunes. The pod design was a huge hit with all the audiophiles in attendance and after many discussions with the visitors a new and apprpriate name was born for it; from that event onwards it became know as the Oculas. The name originated to the architectural detail called the “Oculus”, a circular hole feature similar to the one found in the dome of the Pantheon; the oculus effects the light and acoustics inside the building. The locals refer to the Oculus as “the window to the heavens” because of the beautiful light that could be seen streaming into the cupola below.
Sep-03
The design concept integrated a 5.1 sound system, PC and large flat screen for the audience to enjoy at the annual Designersblock exhibition in London.
Aug-03
Updated technology design was integrated into the prototype using sound monitoring equipment to identify the optimum positioning of the sound system.
Jul-03
A photo shoot of the revised design was commissioned to help promote the potential benefits of the concept to potential sponsors and partners.
Jun-03
Returning from the US, McCormack continued to modify the overall design concept and business strategy. The US highlighted how far away from completion the design work was, it would be a long time before it would be ready to enter the North American market.
May-03
The design concept was taken to Los Angeles, and exhibited as part of ‘The Avenues of Design’, inside the Royal Order jewellery store on Canon Drive in Beverly Hills, CA.
Apr-03
During the design development phase, the design concept was again taken out to meet the design industry and public alike at a specific design exhibition in Milan with Designersblock. Designersblock proved to be a good platform for testing out new ideas and obtaining essential feedback from hundreds of people over a few days.
Mar-03
It was important to identify a clear marketing strategy as the design concept was realised to have much more potential applications than first realised. The markets were separated into five core areas which were Gaming, Wellbeing, Education, Office Suite and Creative Hub. Each area had design considerations and a generic single form had to be found to underpin all the potential variations that would come in the future.
Feb-03
McCormack presented the concept and its’ potential to Virgin Atlantic; the concept depicted a series of pods being placed within the business lounge for televideo communication, relaxation and gameplay.
Jan-03
Further research & development helped refine the manufacturing processes, the first prototypes were being put through their paces.
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Dec-02
The original sculpted artwork, once finished was used to make all the needed moulds to begin prototype production.
Nov-02
After completing the first live tests of the prototype design at the three design exhibitions in London, Japan and Korea McCormack began to design the strategy for the next phase of development.
Oct-02
With sponsorship from The British Council and Virgin Atlantic the prototype design was exhibited at Designersblock, Tokyo and Seoul.
Sep-02
Registered the design at the Trade Marks Office in London: No 3007569.
Exhibited the prototype shell design at the London design exhibition Designersblock, which went on to be displayed in the Selfridges Store window celebrating young British design talent. The design concept receives its first editorial piece, featuring in FX magazine.
Aug-02
Lee McCormack began painstaking refinement of the interior, completely hand sculpting every tiny detail. Harley Racing Yachts were then able to use the polished surfaces to produce the moulds that would be used to make the first prototype shell.
Jul-02
Lee McCormack designed and tested a prototype hydraulic engineering solution for the door opening trying to achieve a smooth gliding operation.
Jun-02
Lee McCormack spent the hot summer month of June hand sculpting and polishing the form of the original design. The ambition was to capture a sense of purity and beauty in every detail.
May-02
Research and development of the various composite construction techniques and materials including GRP, Carbon Fibre, Polypropylene, RTM Light, Rotational Moulding and Injection moulding; GRP became the preferred material.
Apr-02
Quickly renamed the product after discovering that Apple were launching the “i-pod” and had just registered it a few months before, you can see the extent of their registration here.
Mar-02
Investigation of twin door design versus single door concluded an initial twin door solution. Work began building the first prototype design, full scale.
Feb-02
Lee McCormack began the initial exploration of various manufacturing processes and technologies, engaging Nigel Harley the founder of Harley Racing Yachts to produce a prototype pod shell from McCormack’s original sculpture.
Jan-02
Lee McCormack created the new Ovei design concept (previous iterations included the Oculas, Spacepod, I-Pod), the design was the result of several years research whilst at Goldsmiths University in London into modern office architecture, the notion of work versus play and technologies influence reshaping the barriers between work and play.