DIGITAL DESIGN + FABRICATION SM1, 2016 M2 JOURNAL - YOUR PROJECT TITLE Chester Wong, Alice Jiang, Steven Lim, Nicholas Collins 618157,783953,685769,758427 Amanda Masip Tutorial Group 7
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Sketch Design Development
SECOND SKIN, SECURITY OR INTIMACY Various concepts and interpretations were concived during our discussion of the design and of personal space. On the design perspective, we were mostly inspired by my sketch model and it’s propertyof blending the bone and membrane into a single entity. This is the effect we are trying to achieve or at least give the illusion of. Two concepts of personal space were then explored. These are the security of an individual and personal space between couples. The first concept’s design is a direct interprtation of the sketch model and utilises the looping of the bone structure inorder to achieve a dense effect. The second concept relies on the use of minimal spaces to create a barrier and space around two individuals, namelycouples, and this paticular concept is unique due to the incorporation of more than one party
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Refined Sketch Model
Sketch models were made in order to explore how our concepts could be applied. For the first concept, a model was made to try to eplicate the original design. This was to explore whether said desired effect could be achieved when using actual materials and its spacial qualities. The next models were made in order to explore ways to create a minimal spacial membrane while still trying to adhere to the concept of blending skin and bone. Thus, string was used in order to test out different patterns and the effects which could be created. It also served a practical purpose, allowing us to experiement with the tensile elements and how we could even achieve this on a larger scale.
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2nd Skin proposed design V.1 ISO
FRONT ELEVATION
SIDE
TOP
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DESIGN IDEA The design is based on the idea of meeting someone for the first time, or meeting a stranger. The structure’s design is meant to protect the user from any unwanted touch or invasion. The constantly rotating rings form a rough exterior which is meant to also be a kind of visual protection from others. It covers the mouth in order to hide facial qualities and extends out at more vital points on the head. It however does not cover the eyes in order to not impede eyesight. The arm element serves as a protection as well but opens up at the hand so as to allow others to receive a handshake greeting. Due to the membrane, the hand is also a noticable element and guides others towards it.
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2nd Skin proposed design TOP
FRONT ELEVATION 6
ISO
DESIGN IDEA The design is based on the idea of creating a shared personal space for couples but also allowing their own personal spaces to be respected between each other. The connection at the head and body are not only meant to link the two individuals but also to symbolise how their bodies and minds are connected. The strcuture utilises the concept of minimal surfaces to form the membrane element for the model. The design is meant to be interchangable, allowing the users to be intimate at times and also use the space to be alone when the need arises.
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Precedent Research Burham Pavillion, Zaha Hadid
Volume/Layering/Spacing
The structure’s frame consists of steel members wrapping around forming a shell shape. The struture has a membrane made of fabric however due to the shape of the shell the membrane appears to have a layering effect and also has gaps to give an ‘alien’ shape and look to the structure Zaha Hadid’s Burham Pavilion is one of two such strcutures which were built in order to celebrate the anniversary of the Plan of Chicago and is used as a symbol for architectural growth and progress.
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Precedent applied to design Volume/Layering/Irregular Pattern
Taking inspiration from the precedent, we tried exploring ways to adapt the nature and design of the structure and incorporate it into our concept. Rhino models were made to try and model the frame of the pavillion and play around with how the bone structure itself could become the membrane in place of fabric. The shape was also utilised in order to give to original design more volume and at the same time give off a distinct but ‘alien’ design in order to accentuate an uninviting aura.
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Precedent Research Linear Constructions, Nuam Gabo
Bone Structure with wire membrane
These models made from nylon filament wound between plastic planes. The wound filaments give the object a sense of planar volume and creates a three-dimensional image. Naum Gabo created many sculptures of this kind. He tried to create form without mass. This means to have a shape and skin of the object but hollow and exoskeleton-like. His work is smooth and organic, with the bones flowing in continuous lines. The way the wire skin is threaded ads depth and has varying texture due to the positions of the individual wires.
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Precedent applied to design Bone structure with wire membrane
We tried exploring ways in which a wire skin on a plastic bone structure can create volume, how different patterns of weaving can give a different sensory effect. We explored how different shapes and configurations of the bone structure can lead to different skin patterns and forms. We made sketches and Rhino models of these bone structures, and then after laser cutting some pieces of the bone structure we explored how the threads could be combined in different ways to create form and texture.
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Design development - Version #1
TOP
SIDE SIDE
ISO 12
DESIGN IDEA The precedent image allowed us to produce a more complex shape which was also irregular. The irregularity could be used as a method to exhibit a sense of unfamilarity and coldness to external parties and is not inviting. The bone membrane is also used in order to cover up the view of an eye and obscure both the view of the user and the view of the face from others. This is used in tangent with the concept that humans tend to feel that their privacy is comprimised when prolonged eye contact is made. The sperical pattern is repeated for the arm element and the repitition is also used to create an irrgular pattern. Openings in the design are used in order to give more space for the user and reduce any cramped or tightly closed spaces. While view and hearing are limited they can still be carried out.
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Design development - Version #2
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As an adaptation of the previous design, the idea of it being used by two people was discarded. The idea will still incorporate the concept of personal space between couples. Instead of a standard membrane structure, this new design will consist of a localised central structure with several other elements curving out from it. Taking lessons from ther precedent, strings or wies will be used to to form the membrane and hold the structure together through tensile strength.
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Prototype
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Prototype Template
The area we selected to prototype was the module segment of the second design. Various different elements were made with holes and edges in order to experiement and explore how we could layer and shape the membrane with these elements. A few problems arose with the design and structure of the elements such as its fragility and certain inconsistencies with the edges but overall we were able to conduct our exploration. 17
Testing Effects Two prototypes were constructed in order to test out seperate effects but both were used to explore and experiment on how we could layer and create patterns with the membrane bone structure which in this case is string. The effects of the colours were also tested. It was observed that white string would not be very noticable unless it was densely packed or had a contrasting colour in the background. One prototype had both black and white strings in order to utilise test out how they could be used to colour code a certain section of the body or even be used to create more complex and dense patterns.
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