MATERIAL RESEARCH In the model, we decided that the best way to achieve a proper and accurate piece for our cube-shaped chairs and tables was using 3D printing technique. However, in a real life scale it is not possible to use the same process. A similar element was used for a project by the famous Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto. This was an installation in Tuileries garden in Paris, where the architect used suspended metal boxes for the FIAC art fair. They create a structure with random cantilevers and openings. The cubes are made from sheets of anodised aluminium that have been hand cut individually to fit into place. The design of this elements corresponds more to a product designer than an architect, so I have contacted one of the first ones in order to learn more about the manufacturing processes and software used. The cubes are basically composed by 2 main elements: a steel frame and the metal sheet. The frame is basically a prefabricated steel tube, in which you can make a few cuts in 90 degrees in order to obtain a square 2D frame after bending it (see figures). After having the two square frames, you can join them together by welding four straight steel tubes in order to get the 3D shape frame. Once having the frame, the next step is easy, after having cut the metal sheet on a specific metal laser cutter, you only need to weld it again on the correct side of the frame.
All this pieces and components are previously designed in a software called SolidWorks, where there is a specific menu for metal sheets where you can use tools for bending, making holes, development of the piece,… The software already detects that the user is working on a metal sheet. On one side, after completing the design in the SolidWorks, you need to generate technical plans showing the element both in 3D and split up into pieces that you will give to the manufacturer. Apart from this, you need to create a file in a specific format so that the specific device can read it and make the cuts, bends or whatever the design needs. As I have mentioned before, in the project we are going to use this technique to manufacture the box-shaped chairs and tables that will be around the reception area offering the visitors many options and configurations to sit, wait and chat with other Amazon clients. These elements will have different sizes and small variations so it is a suitable technique as it allows designing in any dimension and size. REFLECTIVE ACCOUNT During the process of this project, I would say that all the parts have been participating and deciding on every aspect of it, however, it is true that each of us have different individual skills that make us perform even better as a group giving a bit from each other. Knowing each other from before the start of the project has been a clear advantage as we knew the way we work and so how to arrange the tasks for a better organization of the workflow. One thing I really love about architecture is quick sketching and design ideas, so I was in charge of drawing and put into paper all of the ideas that came into our minds at the first stages of the project; all that was said or mentioned was drawn by me into our project papers. After a few weeks of agreeing on the final design, we started on building our 3D model. I must say that we did not have almost any trouble on this stage as we were all respectful with everyone’s ideas and this led to a project that has a bit of each of us architecture. I have been using 3D modelling and rendering software for 3 years now, so once we all got into the computers, my task was modelling some of the elements of the design (the hanging objects + back screen) and make few quick images with vray to test how the design was being developed until its final state. I really like computing for design and architecture and I enjoy using it. To be fair, I think I am good at using them, mostly Rhino + vray, but this is because I have been training with them for a long time: practise is the key for getting good results in architectural digital representation I would say. Also photoshop is one thing I work good with and I would say it is sometimes the most powerful tool to give your images a personal and different touch from any other image. But this year I have been introduced to BIM and Revit, which seems to be the future of architecture software and I am still not very aware of how all that world works. This module have given me the chance to get started in this field and hopefully get to know more about BIM and improve my knowledge on it.
Ángel Gambín Gómez (Erasmus Student) - 15031641