Botanica - 60%

BOTANICA



Hello, I am Penguin from @kai.kbd.

I think thin bezels on 60s.
I also think that keyboards have much more design potential to be explored than what most are willing to try today.

This kit takes inspiration from the concept of how plants grow from a single point into something even greater.
I hope the design is able to tell its story well.


Specifications
WK/WKL/HHKB
6.9° Typing Angle
Front Height: 17.3mm/23.0mm EKH
1.5~kg Fully Built

Poron Gasket OR Gummy O-Ring



Exposed Screws
H60 Footprint w/ C3 Daughterboard

MOQ 20 units
Max 50 units
Tentatively 499USD


Top View
The sweeping loft along the sides bring the bezel to just a millimeter whilst twisting the sides to seamlessly taper into a rounded front lip.
The subtle curve along the seam between the top and bottom case reveal a third colour, peaking out just slightly as you turn the board to see its side.


Side Profile
The side profile flows out from a single point, combining steps and bevels to represent the stems growing out of its roots.


USB Port
The USB port twists its way out of the stem, blooming into a series of bevels that draw from flower buds that have just started to bloom.


Bottom
> This section was heavily reworked from the prototype, hence the CAD render.
The bottom continues the breaking of straight lines and follows the outline of the deep bevel from side profile, allowing it to be picked up easily.
The bottom is then accented with a stylised leaf, split into 4 sections, drawing a parallel to the side profile.



Prototype 1

Soundtest

Aesthetically, the board fulfills the vision I had initially.
Acoustically, the board's volume is stifled by its copper bottom case and does not allow the poron gasket to sing.

These are the changes that I want to make in the next prototype.
1. Removal of hidden screws

Upon further user feedback, I no longer find trading custom feet availability and having to overload screws worth doing just to avoid exposed screws.

2. Change in Materials
The middle and bottom case have been redesigned for the bottom case to be the denser material, whilst the middle will become aluminium.

Maximising contact surface area and balancing the volume of the denser material to allow the board to not be overly muted by the denser metal.

3. The badge on the bottom has been updated to be two-tone.
This change introduces contrast to better define the engravings that the previous implementation lacked.


All of the real-life photos were taken by @angstylamb and TR from ktechs.

If Botanica interests you, please share your thoughts in the IC Form.
If you'd like to talk about Botanica and or ask questions, I would love to chat over on Discord.