DIGITAL DESIGN + FABRICATION SM1, 2016 M2 JOURNAL - PROFILE & SECTION EXOSKELETON ALICE FOWLER and AMANI ELJARI 834606 and 757362 MATTHEW GREENWOOD
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Sketch Design Development We chose this sketch design because the way it almost forms an exoskeleton around the body was interesting and something we wanted to further explore. We want to develop our design to something that mimics the shape of the human body but exagerates it in certain areas where the personal space bubble is considered bigger. Rather than keeping the structure looking welcoming and open, we want to focus on manifesting a visual representation of the personal space bubble and its changing nature amongst individuals. Keeping in theme of the original sketch design, we are focusing on the head and upper body only, as we believe this is where our model requires the most space. We have reflected on our own ideas of personal space to decide this. We are designing for a woman in a club setting, where personal space is limited and often uncomfortable. SKETCH DESIGN #3 BY AMANI; SIDE.
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SKETCH DESIGN #3 BY AMANI; FRONT.
Refined Sketch Model Our Module 1 model was a very open and welcoming structure that was in a way inviting someone into the model’s personal space. However, we aim to pay more attention the figurative idea of personal space and how we can show this in our design. The personal space map below, although exaggerated has led us towards trying to make an outer ‘shell’ in a similar shape to the body, but exaggerated in areas where more personal space is required.
We made some prototypes, one of which is photographed above, that start to use the waffling technique in order to create a form that portrays personal space.
Another aspect that this prototype addresses is that the initial sketch design perhaps does not showcase our system, section and profile, well enough. It’s important to really focus on how we can create this imagery of personal space while exploring the benefits and limitations of our system.
PERSONAL SPACE BUBBLE SKETCH
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2nd Skin proposed design V.1
PLAN
This design imitated to structure of the human ribcage and then distorted and exagerated the elements to showcase the profile/section technique. It was the first step we took from the original sketch design from module 1 that did this in a more welcoming and open way. The head and upper body is included since we consider them to be the most protected parts of the body. Although this design covers the parts associated with personal space, it does not exactly depict the extent of the space needed in each area.
ELEVATION
ISOMETRIC
Reflecting on the design, we may have gotten too interested in creating something that was aesthetically pleasing and too fashion-like. That is why we refocused for our next idea, keeping the general concept of the exoskeleton but changing the appearance of the structure to be more aimed at how the model will interact with personal space.
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This design was derived from the idea of the human exoskeleton. When looking on our sketch design from Module 1, we decided to emphasise the resemblance to a ribcage, although in a distorted way. To further show case the system, profile and section, we experimented with making a complex rib cage that ventured further from the body in areas where our female model might want a larger personal space bubble.
As we played with these forms however we started to feel limited by the very literal notion of the ‘exoskeleton’. This is what caused us to further evolve the idea in following proposals; we created instead a structure that mimicked the external form of the body - all the muscle, fat, and tissue included.
SKETCH DESIGN #3 BY AMANI.
SKELETT-KLEID VON IRIS VAN HERPEN
HUMAN UPPER BODY SKELETON
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2nd Skin proposed design V.2
PLAN
This design proposal aims to use the vertical elements of the structure as an exaggerated form of the human body. Each piece was first a curve traced along the body at different angles, and then made into a solid shape and positioned at the appropriate spot. We like this idea as we believe it better signifies the boundaries of personal space and how different parts of
ISOMETRIC
ELEVATION
the body are more or less protected. The face and upper body are focused on because we found that when sketching a personal space map these areas needed the most space. As the design progresses however we would like to further explore how we can distort the shape around the body rather than keeping it quite uniform around her shape.
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We started to form this idea through the concept of an exoskeleton, such as an insect shedding its exoskeleton and becoming something else. It is in the exact shape of its body, however it is restrictive and eventually has to be dismissed because of its inability to change with the needs of the body.
We want to further distort the structure, as shown in the personal space bubble sketch (left), to increase comfort level of the individual. When the structure was first made it fit the body too well and so we moved the piece out to comform with the sketch.
To gain inspiration in ways we could distort the structure we looked at piece such as the below image by Not Just a Label, where the model has been covered in a similar way that we were investigating. The piece however is too much like a fashion piece; something we want to avoid. PIECE FROM NOT JUST A LABEL.
INSECT SHEDDING ITS EXOSKELETON.
PERSONAL SPACE BUBBLE SKETCH.
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Precedent Research
C-SPACE PAVILION BY ALAN DEMPSY AND ALVIN HUANG Curving, Transformative, Discontinuing yet Evolving, Mysterious
DESCRIPTION OF THE DESIGN The C-Space pavilion was designed in response to a competition to design a freestanding, temporary pavilion to be built in front of the Architectural Association School In London.
Curving form
The structure is built using glass fibre-reinforced concrete panelling, namely FibreC, a material produced by Rieder. The waffle structure system is used to create a structurally strong freestanding form. Additionally the positioning of the interlocking panels create a sense of movement through the differing opacities as you walk around the structure, this is achieved through the use of different angles and distances between the panels. The curved nature of the form adds to the sense of movement of the pavilion. Interestingly some of the panels appear disconnected due to the discontinuing nature of the curving panels on the exterior of the structure.
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Breaks in panelling
Precedent applied to design EXPLORATION OF CURVING FORMS
1. Curving: The curving nature of the pavilion can be used to influence the form of our design. The rounded form relates and reflects the curving nature of our personal space, which is often referred to as a personal ‘bubble’. When we represent our personal space it is often using circular hand motions. 2. Transformative: There is a sense of transition in the pavilion through the deceiving movement that the layering panels create. From certain angles the form appears to be opaque where as at other angles the form is partly transparent.
3. Mysterious: These transformations create mystery as at some angles you cannot see through the form leaving you to wonder what is inside, and others only give you a taunting glimpse. These concepts can be used in our design with layering waffles to create changing opacities, which reflects the changing nature of our personal space. When you let other people in, your personal space becomes transparent, where as when you block people out there is a clear space, which cannot be invaded.
EXPLORATION OF DOUBLE WAFFLE LAYERS TO CREATE TRANSFORMATIONAL EFFECT, CREATING MYSTERY
4. Discontinuing/ 5. Evolving: Within the structure of the pavilion some of the concrete panels are broken with clear cuts. Leaving gaps between the panels. However the panels remain in line giving the illusion from far away that they are continuing and evolving lines as they wrap around into the curving form. This concept can be utilised in our waffle structure in order to represent punctures in ones personal space when it is either invaded or voluntarily broken. EXPLORATION OF DISCONTINUING PANELS
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Design development - Version #1
PLAN
FRONT ELEVATION
SIDE ELEVATION
This design consists of an inner and outer layer that are used to represent the shape of the body and the shape of the personal space bubble respectively. Our previous 2nd skin proposed design has evolved into this by taking into account the characteristics of the precedent study and further evaluation of what personal space means to us. The curved nature of the model is shown through its rounded form around and away from the body. We associated the rounded form with the way in which we often use circular hand movements when explaining our own personal space. It is transformative in the way that it is completely open when viewed from the front, however from the side it is very closed and defensive; you cannot see through. This then creates mystery of what lies behind the barrier. The discontinuation of some pieces of the model also add to the mystery; it represents punctures in one’s personal space where people may have intruded.
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ISOMETRIC RENDER
INNER LAYER HORIZONTAL PIECES
INNER LAYER VERTICAL PIECES
These images depict different layers of the structure to display and explain how the pieces work together to create a whole.
The inner layer closely imitates the form of the body as we can see facial features such as nose, making it a very literal representation.
The outer layer however does not conform to the bodily shapes. It instead aims at portraying the figurative personal space bubble. Outsiders can then OUTER LAYER HORIZONTAL PIECES
OUTER LAYER VERTICAL PIECES
see the amount of space required for the model to remain comfortable in their environment. This is something that obviously cannot be seen in the real world, although it is often felt and interpreted through body language.
The non-conforming shape of the outer layer is like this to represent how personal space is different for different areas of the body and is constantly changing, so cannot be restrained to the human shape.
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Design development - Version #3
RIGHT ELEVATION
PERSPECTIVE
PLAN
FRONT ELEVATION
This design also explores the idea of an inner and outer layer that are used to represent the shape of the body and the shape of the personal space bubble respectively. Our previous 2nd skin proposed design has evolved into this by taking into account the characteristics of the precedent study and further evaluation of what personal space means to us. The sphere shape is a more literal interpretation of the personal space ‘bubble’. The holes in the sphere represent punctures in ones personal space. The curving form of the sphere is representational of the curves in the precedent. The double layer creates the transformative effect of changing from a transparent structure to a more opaque one.
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This image shows the seperate layers to clearly show the different To create the broken spherical form a sphere was cut with various rectangular planes, which divided the sphere into various strips. The contour tool was then used to make the waffle structure. The different angled spherical strips represent the different orbits of personal
forms. From different angles the double layers create an opaque form, From front on the structure is transparent for outsiders to see in, but from the sides the form is closed and defensive. For the wearer their peripheral vision is blocked and they can only clearly see what is in front of them, this is representative of limited vision and movement in a night club setting.
space and reflect the circular hand gesture associated with personal space.
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Design development - Version #2
FRONT ELEVATION
RIGHT ELEVATION
PERSPECTIVE
PLAN
This design also explores the idea of an inner and outer layer that are used to represent the shape of the body and the shape of the personal space bubble respectively. Our previous 2nd skin proposed design has evolved into this by taking into account the characteristics of the precedent study and further evaluation of what personal space means to us. This design uses a more organic curving form for the outer layer. The organic form creates a sense of movement and mimics the everchanging personal space bubble, as well as relating to the curved nature of the precedent. The holes in the outer layer represent breaks/punctures in ones personal space, and create mystery through taunting the viewer with a clearer glimps into the inner layer, this can be related to the concept of getting to know someone and revealing more about yourself as you feel more comfortable.
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The shape is made of two parabaloids that have been distorted. The contour tool was used to create the curves for the waffle structure. The holes in the structure were created by using spheres to trim the existing form.
This image shows the inner and outer layer spereated to clearly show the different forms of the layers. The inner and outer layer are two different waffle structures. The inner layer pieces have a continuous thickness. whereas the outer layer pieces vary in thickness, making them more
If we were to develop this idea further organic shapes. we would like to explore varying the form with more punctures to create more interest and explore the idea of intruding personal space, and letting people into your personal space.
The inspiration for the organic form came from our exploration of form through plasticine.
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Prototype We created a series of prototypes to explore, the form, and structure of the deisgns. Firgures 1 -4 are paper protoypes exploring the interlocking system of a waffle, and the curving nature of the panels. Figures 1 and 2 explore the out layer for the head piece and the ways the panels can interlock. Figures 3 and 4 focus on the out body piece and how the form reflects the personal space diagram.
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 4
We decided to laser cut the inner head piece as our 1:1 prototype as it clearly shows how the pieces will interlock and create a form that is reflective of a head. The prototype clearly shows the front on grid form and how the model can transform from a transparent structure to a more opaque one.
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Testing Effects
POLYPROPYLENE
The over lapping waffle grids transform from transparent to opaque through the movement of the structure and angle of the viewer. Material Effects To add to the transformative effect of our design we envision making our structure from polypropylene, and coating the inner layer with some sort of glow in the dark paint to represent the inner person projecting themselves in their personal space and beyond. We would also like to explore different opacities of polyproylene to further the idea of letting people in and blocking people out.
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