Architectural Design Studio I Ross Piccinini
Model 4 Description This model is my first attempt at using metal to create a model. I decided to use copper and galvanized steel because of its availability and price point. My first observation regarding these metals, galvanized steel in particular, is that with a low power soldering iron the solder paste did not stick to the surface. To counteract this problem I wrapped the 10 inch steel hex rod in a circular motion with copper wire. This provided a place to, attach the legs on the base along with the design elements on the top of the structure. My inspiration has grown from simple arches on a sheet to a truly 3 dimensional work with multiple parts to it. The sizing of the circumference of the large galvanized steel circles is based on the Fibonacci’s Sequence. I have customized the sequence to suit my needs. The circumferences of the circles measure; 2 inches, 3 inches, 5 inches, 8 inches, and the largest is 13 inches. The upward curve of the model is similar to an exponential function. [Figure 1]
Figure 1 The galvanized steel circles have 1/4 circle shape copper pieces on the upper portions of the circles top two sides. These pieces are 1 inches long for the circles measuring 2 and 3 inches, then 2 inches long for the circles measuring 5 and 8 inches, then 3 inches for the circle measuring 13 inches. All of the connections are soldered using soldering paste. To counteract the plastic sagging from the pervious model, I chose to use the metal frame to give the model more stability and let it accentuate its symmetry in design. This is a significant step in the design series because I can now take advantage of the strength of metal to keep the structures constant and intentional with little variation due to craft errors in the design. This models overall form regressed slightly from the last models a-symmetric attributes but that is due too the use of a new substance to create it. Model 5 will reincorporate the natural flow of model 3’s a-symmetry.