[P3] Creating Prototypes

Revisiting Parameters

Looking at the potential in breaking a year into segments of particular conditions and combinations of wind and rain. Therefore, as opposed to having a structure that reacts to any wind and rain, instead finding a structure that has “modules� reacting to certain rainfall rates or windspeeds.

Desire for having a structure that could be open in the pleasant seasons and closed in the uncomfortable seasons. As the year progressed, the covering would, via the reaction of the rain/wind modules, begin to envelope the space to create different degrees of openness and closure.

Annual Conditions

[Above]: Mapping an annual cycle, first broken into months/periods of times and then into specific weather conditions. In this way modules can be manufactured to react to the wind and rain conditions present during the selected periods of time.

[Right]: Annual wind frequencies for Aarhus, showing a dominance of westerly winds. Drawing logic from this diagram, a facade facing northwest would provide the most opportunities for all varieties of western winds, approaching from both the front and back of the facade.

Abstracting the “Rain Chain�

Using the concept of a household rain chain, previous material data was applied to the development of a more abstract version. Instead of a literal chain, water would flow through fabric plates which are varying in material and friction. The water would still be collected from above and delivered to the ground in a set path, but along the way would create movement and opportunities for energy collection.

Investigating the differences in how water flows down a chain and then spreads out in horizontal sections, or collects on the horizontal sections and then flows down the vertical portion. We found that water flowed best on the vertical sections, which was obviously most likely due to gravity.

Analyzing Chain Reactions

Different rainfall rates have different capacities to move the fabric plates. Heavy rains would tend to maximally tilt the panels and create a direct path downward in the least amount of time. Lighter rain would tend to slowly soak the fabrics then drip downward, increasing the amount of time it takes to reach the ground.

Likewise, learning through previous fabric analysis, it is possible for different materials to interfere with the water’s path to the ground. By varying the order of waterproof (imporous), porous and elastic fabric panels, the time it takes for the water to pass through the panels could be modified.

Environmental Kinetics

The fabric panels have the potential to be moved by both wind and rain. Depending on which element affects the panel first, it will move in different directions. These kinetics, the pushing and pulling from the environment, has the capacity to perhaps move other objects.

Through a system of cables and pulleys, the slight kinetic energies of each panel rotating could be connected and summed to operate an ultra-lightweight panel overhead. Depending on the direction of the panels and the intensity of the wind or rain, the overhead roof would extend and retract at different rates or not at all.

Environment :: Body

Open :: Uncomfortable

When all of the panels are open and the operable roof is retracted, wind and rain can both enter the space and create an uncomfortable, exposed condition for the body.

Closed :: Comfortable

When all of the panels are closed/tilted and the operable roof is extended, wind and rain are not allowed within the structure creating a more desireble comfort condition for the body.

Dynamic :: Uncertain

When the panels and roof are both in operation and constantly chaning, wind and rain can enter the space at different locations and different times, creating an uncertain environment for the body.

This uncertainty could lead to a desire to move about the space, finding the most comfortable and unexposed path.

Developing a Dynamic Covering

Using a large scale model to begin to understand the roof/wall section at human scale. The intention of this model was to investigate the possibility in having the moveable fabric panels operate the overhead covering. By using fishing line, a continuous cable was tied from the lowest fabric to the top that was then pulled over to the covering. This investigation may be more successful with the addtion of pulleys or other mechanisms that could better direct cable motion and minimize friction due to bent lines wrapped around the structure.

However, it was still interesting to note how differently the panels moved when separate from each other and when they were all connected via the fishing line. Additional investigations were made to examine the differences that the order of the fabric types made in the water’s vertical motion.

Developing a Dynamic Covering

Using a large scale model to begin to understand the roof/wall section at human scale. The intention of this model was to investigate the possibility in having the moveable fabric panels operate the overhead covering. By using fishing line, a continuous cable was tied from the lowest fabric to the top that was then pulled over to the covering. This investigation may be more successful with the addtion of pulleys or other mechanisms that could better direct cable motion and minimize friction due to bent lines wrapped around the structure.

However, it was still interesting to note how differently the panels moved when separate from each other and when they were all connected via the fishing line. Additional investigations were made to examine the differences that the order of the fabric types made in the water’s vertical motion.

Aesthetic Possibilities

A further intention of the structure was to have “open� or hollow connections that would allow wind to pass through and create sound, similarly to how a water bottle makes sound when one blows over the top. The length of the structural member, its material and perhaps filling it with different depths of material could affect the pitch of the sound and its sensitivity to air movement. This structural consequence will be investigated further in the next development.

Further Development

Through discussion and testing, ideas have arisen for further enhancement of the structure and space. These recent models were intended to depict spatial corners. In essence, they are still probes that have been used to see how prior research and ideas can be pieced together, and how these ideas appear on a larger sacle. There is still need for development of an overall structure and footprint. This process has been working outwards from basic materials to connections between them to an overall system concept. However, using the developed structural sections, feedback and of course the material and meterological data that has already been collected, there is now a solid basework for a final concept to be developed. One idea includes applying the developed system to an overall pavilion, allowing more space within for the body to move about and in and out of the path of wind/rain. In addition, a clearer definition of the mechanical connection between the fabric plates and the operable roof is necessary, with possible investigations of digital enhancements or alternatives.