Behavioural Matters | Mr. Floppy Ciunimada

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY

Tutor: Robert Stuart-Smith Tutor assistants: Tyson Hosmer, Dimitrije Miletic Students; Agata Banaszek, Flavia Ghirroto Santos, Yiwen Zhang

MArch Design Research Lab_DRL

March Design Research Lab_DRL Architectural Association School of Architecture 2013

INDEX BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR FLOPPY CIUNIMADA 01 Brief 02 Inspiration 03

Stage 1 Lycra model

04

Stage 2 Silicon model

05

Model process

06

Internal Pattern and Boundary

07

Lightning

BRIEF BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY

Our aim was to design a lighting installation that is able to be transformed in time by making use of passive and active actuation. In order to provide unique movement and lighting effects we analysed material behaviour through the organisation of matter and energy within supple membranes. We developed fabrication strategies that harness energy transfer for generative design by utilising principles such as pre-tensioned. Our focus was to analyse thermodynamic states of rich poly-scalar materials, in particular silicone.

As a result we created a single-object installation, which can be duplicated in order to organise space. The natural behavioural characteristic of silicone was utilised to produce a surface which was stretched and held in a permanent and pre-tensioned state by an integrated primary frame. The unique movement is controlled with micro-processors such as Arduino, computer programming, and robotics equipment (electric motors, ex sensors and led lighting).

INSPIRATION JELLYFISH

The structure of jellyfish is manubrium. It is a stalk-like structure hanging down from the centre of the underside, with the mouth at its tip. This opens into the gastrovascular cavity, where digestion takes place and nutrients are absorbed.

It is joined to the radial canals which extend to the margin of the bell.

Jellyfish do not need a respiratory system since their skin is thin enough that the body is oxygenated by diffusion.

They have limited control over movement, but can use their hydrostatic skeleton to navigate through contractionpulsations of the bell-like body Most of the umbrella mass is a gelatinous material - the jelly - called mesoglea which is surrounded by two layers of protective skin.

Jellyfish employ a loose network of nerves, located in the epidermis, which is called a “nerve net�.

A jellyfish detects various stimuli including the touch of other animals via this nerve net, which then transmits impulses both throughout the nerve net and around a circular nerve ring, through the rhopalial lappet, located at the rim of the jellyfish body, to other nerve cells. [wikipiedia]

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY Evolution of the model from primitive geometry to complex composiion.

Team details

Lycra Model

STAGE 1 _ LYCRA BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY

Initial analysis of surface material behaviour were based on lycra. Through the use of piano wire, it was possible to create pre-tensioned states within the material. The series of models show different material reactions depending on the shape and wire composition.

By introducing forces in particular pushing, pulling and stretching the material is transformed throughout its surface to create various movements and forms.

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY Lycra research 1

Transformation of lycra surfaces by pulling primary wires that are centrally connected.

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY

Lycra research 2

Piano wire sewed to the edges of lycra provides opposing forces to the surface. The pre-tensioned state of the lycra curves in opposite directions.

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY Lycra research 3

Two ellipses centrally connected by a single wire which is drawn together to produce a simultaneous rotational compression movement. The compressed form springs back to its original state when the wire is released.

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY

Lycra research 4

Accentuated surface proportions generated increased tension along the edges which produced a significant springlike structure.

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY Lycra research 5,6,7

01

02

03

01 Duplication of shapes incorporated into a single surface 02 Single surface divided by piano wire in between 03 Pre-tensioned triangular surfaces interconnected with loose lycra - two states of the same material that react with each other

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY Lycra research 8,9,10

01

02

03

01. Symmetrical surface proportions formed of 4 loops with separate wires provide a spring like effect 02. Pre-tensioned duplicated triangular shapes 03. Closed three-dimensional shape of multiple triangular surfaces

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY

Lycra research 11

Final shape - a symmetrical form with 4 ‘wings’ that react across a unified surface in opposing directions created by pre-tensioned wires integrated around the perimeter. The central zone developed with patterns which improve the structure.

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY

Paper research

Various models in paper helped us to understand how to shape the material and we could see many results very quickly.

STAGE 2 _ SILICONE BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY

Analysis of material and behavioural nature of lycra surfaces was adapted to silicone.

Silicone are inert, synthetic compounds with a variety of forms and uses.Typically heat-resistant and rubber-like [wikipidie].

Imposing the same principles used with lycra on to silicone, together with the use of the same piano wire to achieve surface forms failed as silicone appeared to be heavier and less elastic. We had to adapt our methods slightly to produce tension in this material.

We continued with the use of piano wires to achieve a tensile state in the silicone, however prior to integrating the wires we stretched the silicone sheets before casting the secondary layer of silicone in a series to ribs to bond the wires to the stretched sheet. When the silicone cured we released the stretched sheet which pulled the structural ribs together and form a tensile surface.

Through repetition of this procedure we experimented with different wire layouts for example multiple configurations to achieve enhanced tension, organised wire arrangements with intersections, offsets, etc.

By introducing wires we caused different forces A series of different surface reactions depending on the shape and composition of structural ribs produced the final result which was a form that moved by the flexing of 2 intersected wings in 2 opposing directions.

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY THE PROCESS OF MAKING SILICONE MODELS

01 Mix silicone Cure 13A+13B

04 Clamp to stretch silicone sheets

02 Cast Silicone sheets - allow 6 hours to dry

05 Pour silicone mix

03 Laser cut template

06 Remove template

07 Result - final pre-tensioned model 08 Add mechanism to generate force 09 Sensor, LED lights controlled by Arduino

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY Different experiments with silicone

01

02

03

01 UP-DOWN movement by adding force in one of the 3 wings 02 Variations in shape, duplication of triangular shape and different connections internally 03 UP-DOWN movement by adding force in the middle

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY FINAL MODEL

Evolution of the project In order to provide greater stability to the form we installed thinner silicone to achieve a flexible and more tensile membrane.

In order to structure the model we stretched the silicone sheets before integrating piano wire.

More wires were introduced to the form to make surfaces more interactive A process of research and experimentation with different interior structures was necessary for a better understanding of the forces involved and the interaction between structure and surface.

Our research led to the proposition of a surface with structural ribs of wires that crossed in the middle and at which pivotal point forms the “activate button�. By pushing this central pivotal zone, the wings automatically flex and recoil in opposing directions.

We progressed by highlighting the inert features of silicone flexibility and elasticity by adding a secondary boundary

photo 01

FORCES Patterning the structure

The addition of extra wires to the internal body of the object helped to structure the shape. The diverse patterns tested created a range of different effects to the overall

01. crossed wires with centred control point oriented to the long boundaries 04. crossed wires with centred control point and reinforced centre 07. six wires without control point and directed to the long boundaries

structure. The main objective of this specific research was to develop a catalogue of diverse effects, that was later analysed with the constrains regarding the different orientation of the “wings�. The pattern no.09 was the most effective, combining the deformation of only one wire twisting around itself with the centred control point, creating a more robust and at the same time flexible body to the shape.

02. crossed wires with centred control point oriented to the short boundaries 05. control point decentralized 08. patterned wire with no control point

03. crossed wires with centred control point oriented to all boundaries 06. increasing forces with crossed wires with centred control point oriented to the long boundaries 09. single wires in a loop

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY

Silicone research 1

The structural ribs around the edges provided stress across the surface of the membrane. 2 additional embedded wires cross in the centre creates a point of flex which forms an activation point or “activate button� to control movement.

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY Silicone research 2

The piano wires on the boundary stressed the fabric.

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY

Silicone research 3

The structural ribs around the edges provide stress across the surface of the membrane. 3 additional ribs on 2 wings causes the wings to bend. This meets our target of creating opposing bending movements in 2 pairs of wings.

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY Sillicone research 4

01 Additional piano wire added as loops on the central edge of the wings.

This creates extra forces which works in opposite directions and make the wing bend less. The model is almost flat.

02 Additional wires as loops on each of the wings increase the bend.

03 Loops in the middle and on the edge of the wing make the model too complex with too many forces working together, limiting movement. Also the proportion between surface area and wires is too small.

04 Hole in the middle - wires do not cross and it makes the model flat.

05 Double wires on the boundary increase pre-tensioning causing the model to bend much more.

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY Silicone research 5

Wires embedded around the perimeter of the stretched membrane form. After the model was released we installed 2 pre-tensioned strips of silicone across the surface. The tensile strips generated a spectacular and enhanced bending moment and caused the model to rotate.

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY Silicone research 6

The wires are doubled on each wing and slightly curved. Four structural arms provide additional support to the wings and cross in the middle to form the lever point. The application of force to this point the wings move back and forth.

FINAL PRODUCT Mr Floppy Ciunimada

The final structure of the lamp installation is achieved with 4 curved piano wires embedded with silicone to form ribs across the surface of the membrane and 1 wire around the perimeter to provide support to the edges.

The final form is divided into tensile and floppy zones. To accentuate the floppiness properties of silicone we created an exaggerated boundary which is completely loose and without structural rigidity. To highlight this LED lights were installed on the ends of the tassels.

The lighting is operated by a parallel system of current which is concentrated in the middle of the installation.

Also in the centre of the lamp is the main mechanism to provide movement which is controlled by an Adruino unit.

The mechanism is link to a motion sensor which triggers a reaction in the lamp when movement is detected close by causing the lamp to retract or open.

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY The evolution of the final model

The middle zone is the ‘heart’ of the lamp and retains the structural form while the offset boundary generates the effect.

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY Plan of final shape , zoning

Floppy tassels with LED at ends internal piano wire create an additional tensioning force centre , mechanism

piano wire along the boundary to provide the tension of the shape

Final shape, comprises 2 zones.

There is an internal shape of 4 wings which is pre-tensioned and a floppy boundary with tassels attached.

These 2 different states interact - movement in the tensile zone causes the floppy boundary to react, pulling the tassels in alternate positions.

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY The stages of movement

The resulting movement of the model is manipulated by sensors concealed in a control unit at the centre of the lamp. A motor is also housed inside the control unit and is connected to a lever which provides force to trigger the initial movement.

When activated the lever pushes the centre of the model causing the wings to retract in a bending motion in opposite directions.

Curvy, floppy ends - tassels increase the floppy effect.

PATTERNS AND BOUNDARY Patterning the surface As well as the wires, the addition of silicone in specific patterns helped to structure the shape. The amount of silicone and the design of the pattern was defined according to the light

01.connected surfaces through a loose boundary 02. internal and external pattern, re forced in the centre and thinner in the borders, creating a curly effect

structure, in the pursue of creating shadows and paths for the light to pass through the body of the object. In a second stage, the patterns we’re converted in a boundary, allowing different tensions to act in the surface to extend the effect of the movement through it’s loose boundary. The pattern of the boundary was also explored in a catalogue of possibilities to increasing the desired movements.

03.stronger boundary activated by the main structure

04. internal pattern, re forced in the centre and thinner in the borders 05. external boundary with floppy effect, caused by the striped pattern

PATTERNS AND BOUNDARY

surface was activated. Through this experiment was possible to verify the potentiality of longer stripes, affecting the deformaPatterning the surface tion of the surface through it’s heaviness, but also for the effect

of the light passing through it and fading away with the length.

The striped pattern was the most successful. The difference of lengths affected the orientation of the boundaries when the

01. curly lines + different lenghts

03. straight lines + different lengths

02. connected surfaces + different lenghts

04. straight lines + different lengths

SENSORS Activation system The manipulation of the tensions and the surface deformation is based on loops and feedbacks, allowing some interaction between users and object. Light sensors capture the variations of luminosity, sending imputs to Arduino, that controls the

servo motors. With the rotation of the servo, the built gear system convert the torque into linear force, activating the surface by pulling and pushing the centre point, deforming the silicone model and creating emergent effects.

The movement of the whole structure changes the patterns and the incidence of light, retrogressing the process and generating a cybernetic loop.

control point to activate the surface

01.Photosensor

04. Centred control point - pushing and pulling the surface

02. Arduino board - UNO

04.Gear activating the central control point

03. Servo (x1 HS-422, 180o rotation)

PATTERNS AND BOUNDARY Patterning the surface

01. Final model pattern and lights

02. Template used to cast final model 03. detail of the lights

Lighting The first light pattern developed was designed with the purpose of highlight the transformations achieved by the different forces actuating in the surface. It was allocated in a very didactic way,

delimitation the boundaries and the interaction between the two materials (wires and silicon).

The “El wire�, used as the source of light, was chosen for it’s unique qualities of bending and deformation, which possibility the idea of casting the material in the silicon, as an intrinsic part of the design.

The inputs sent by the photo-sensor changed the behavior of the light, which was combined with the movement of the surface.

01. Diagram with light patterning

02. El Wire white + inverter

03. Light patterning - El Wire

04. Light patterning - El Wire

Patterning and material

Lighting

floppy movement and the difference of strength between the body and boundary. The use of mini LED lights was more adeLight effects as consequence of patterning quate for the purpose, baning the system casted directly in the

shape, with the lights only lightening in the end of the stripes.

With the definition of a long boundary, the design of the lightning was adapted. The idea of highlight the structure was translated in a more estetique aspect, reinforcing the idea of the

01. Final model pattern and lights

02. final model lighted up 03. detail of the LED light series system casted in the silicone

BEHAVIOURAL MATTERS MR. FLOPPY The lighting installation 2 stages

LED lights are added to the ends of the tassels to highlight the floppiness of the object and to create ambient lighting.