PHASE 01 So I did a series of experiments and attempts to explore different ways to control the stone. I divided these experiments into five groups, each representing a different way of controlling stone. - Volume - Grid - Surface - Combine - Hanging
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VOLUME
VOLUME 1
This is a 3D printed solid material to control the stone. It can fit the stone well, the stone can be placed on it stably, and the direction can be controlled well. But the whole process of construction is tedious, and when the scale becomes larger, the error will also become larger.
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VOLUME
VOLUME 2
This solid material can be seen when it is cut together with the stone: the surface of the stone and the base are in a state of perfect fit. But this also requires the base to be flat to ensure structural stability.
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VOLUME
VOLUME 3
This solid material can be seen when it is cut together with the stone: the surface of the stone and the base are in a state of perfect fit. But this also requires the base to be flat to ensure structural stability.
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VOLUME
VOLUME 4
This control of the stone through the entity can be not only under the stone, but also above it. So this volume can be enough with the stone to form a new system. But the premise is that the volume needs to be made in advance, and it can lock the stone firmly.
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VOLUME
VOLUME 5
And cement can also be considered as a type of this system. In essence, this volume is based on the form of the stone. There is a positive and negative shape relationship between them.
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VOLUME
VOLUME 6
And cement can also be considered as a type of this system. In essence, this volume is based on the form of the stone. There is a positive and negative shape relationship between them.
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VOLUME
VOLUME 7
The fluidity of the cement allows it to take on any shape depending on the form of the stone. However, this is due to the fact that there is a base under the stone that controls the stone in order for it to form a specific combination, so it is a mutual influence relationship. At the same time, the precise control surface created by the volume makes the whole system impervious to error.
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Conclusion So, in summary, the volume system is very stable, but it is complex to build. At the same time, because it requires a very high degree of precision, it does not allow for the existence of errors. Moreover, visually, the volume system could be more bulky for a stone.
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GRID
GRID 1
For the grid system, the focus is to find the part that is in contact with the stone. But since it is difficult to find the location of the point on the stone, it is through the grid that the stone is fitted.
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GRID
GRID 2
The grid system, formed by strips of different lengths, can find a specific angle or direction on an irregular stone. This experiment, for example, can form a horizontal plane by grid locking the stone at the same time.
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GRID
GRID 3
This is actually a combination of volume and grid system. The two check and balance each other so as to get an exact position on the stone and also to determine a horizontal plane on the stone.
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GRID
GRID 4
This is actually a combination of volume and grid system. The two check and balance each other so as to get an exact position on the stone and also to determine a horizontal plane on the stone.
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GRID
GRID 5
This is an attempt to simplify the grid system. Simplifying a grid-like system into as simple a system as possible. Also this is an attempt to explore how to fix a structural system on a stone. In fact the easiest way is to find three points, or a surface that can be fixed.
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GRID
GRID 6
This is an attempt to simplify the grid system. Simplifying a grid-like system into as simple a system as possible. Also this is an attempt to explore how to fix a structural system on a stone. In fact the easiest way is to find three points, or a surface that can be fixed.
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GRID
GRID 7
The grid system, formed by strips of different lengths, can be used to find a specific angle or direction on an irregular stone. Also, this grid system can be used as a connector between two stones.
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Conclusion For the grid system, it is a relatively simple control system, but it also allows for a certain amount of error. However, finding the exact contact point on the stone is not easy. So this control method is limited to a small scale. The grid is lightweight, and when combined with a heavy stone, the tension between the materials is demonstrated. At the same time, the grid system itself allows for a certain amount of complexity.
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SURFACE
SURFACE 1
A block of stone is cut into slices by slicing. This is actually the way most stones are treated nowadays. Therefore this operation of slicing does bring some convenience to control irregular stones.
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SURFACE
SURFACE 2
If this way of cutting a stone is abstracted into a plane. Then this plane can easily find the exact position and direction on the stone.
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SURFACE
SURFACE 1
The contact surface between the plane and the stone can be very accurate because of the scanning of the stone. The system of the surface can be locked to the surface of the stone very accurately and firmly.
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Conclusion Surface is a good control system. It is equivalent to finding a line of contact on an irregular stone. So the planes can be easily locked to the stone. And a new system can be formed between multiple planes. This is a stable and light method of control on a stone.
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COMBINE
COMBINE 1
How to connect the two stones? This is also something to think about. Connecting through the grid system is a flexible way to handle it, but it is not so easy to control.
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COMBINE
COMBINE 2
By connecting through the surface system, the two stones can be fixed more accurately and stably.
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COMBINE
COMBINE 3
How to connect the two stones? This is also something to think about. Connecting through the grid system is a flexible way to handle it, but it is not so easy to control.
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Conclusion Surface might be a good choice for controlling the stone. Precise positioning locks the stone firmly in place. At the same time, surface also shows the tension between a thin object and a heavy stone, to minimize the impact of this control system on the stone.
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HANGING
HANGING 1
The tensioned structure allows the stone to be held more flexibly in a certain position. However, it may be necessary to limit the position of the tensioned object on the stone with the help of an external stand.
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Conclusion The tensioned structure allows the stone to be held more flexibly in a certain position. However, it may be necessary to limit the position of the tensioned object on the stone with the help of an external stand.
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Fig.31 - Final review exhibition
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Fig.32 - Testing Model
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I also made some special attempts if the scale is enlarged. If both stone and wood are cut, then they can be combined well. However, this would also bring more trouble and the whole process of building would become very tedious.
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PHASE 02
After these small experiments were over, I star ted to summarize the experience I had gained. What kind of system can control the stone better? What are the characteristics of the stone? And how to use these properties? These questions need to be explored on a larger scale model. So the whole process is to deepen and enlarge the scale to think about the problem.
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For a stone, the two most important properties are its weight; and the friction from the rough surface. Therefore, using these characteristics is the key to the next stage. Ultimately, I chose the surface system for my next research. Because the frictional force brought by the contact surface can make the surface firmly locked on the rough surface of the stone, the processing of the surface will also be more straightforward. This is the more important part of the whole research method. Experiment and test to verify my ideas, then continue to scale up the experiment. What should I pay attention to when I get to the larger scale of construction? For the next experiment, I went to the scale of architectural elements.
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Gravity Gravity is the most important property of stone. Gravity is a bad force for many materials or structures. However, for some specific cases, weight can provide better stability. This can be seen in many buildings made of stone, where the entire house does not even need a foundation because of the weight of the stone. Stone can form a stable structure by its gravity. However, because of the irregular surface of the stone, it is difficult to connect stones directly. So the medium of connection is particularly important.
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Friction The friction force originates from the rough surface of the stone. The stone can be controlled at a specific orientation and position through the connected surface due to friction. This actually opens up many possibilities for the whole structure system. Because of the friction, the whole structure does not need to be kept in a straight line. This allows the whole structure to have the possibility of extending in different directions. At the same time, the whole structural system and the stone are in a complementary relationship, bringing out the characteristics of the stone.
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Texture exture is the characteristic that stones bring. Because each stone has a unique form and texture, it brings uniqueness to the whole system. The traces of nature are thus revealed.
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Waterproof Because of the water resistance of the stone, it makes it a good building material.
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Fig.33 - Testing Model
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This is the last model of this stage and the whole structure is directionless due to the irregular form of the stone. It can go in any direction. At the same time, the weight of the stone can act as a counterbalance in the whole structural system. So can see that some stones are completely suspended.
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