DDF M4 by Shengjie Wu

DIGITAL DESIGN + FABRICATION SM1, 2017 Catoptric Panels Shengjie Wu

813055 Siavash Malek + Group E

Table of contents

06/

Introduction

08/

Ideation

24/

Design

40/

Fabrication

82/

Reflection

84/

Appendix

Introduction: Panel & Fold System -- Wood Fence/

The material system I chose to study for this semester is panelling and folding. The example object for this system is a wooden folding fence. To explore and understand more about the mechanical systems and the dynamic form of the fence, I measured each component parts of the object and made a digital model for it. This process was quite inspiring for us, for which during the later designing session, it makes us think of something related to panelling and folding other than origami.

1.0 IDEATION

1.1 Object Measurement

When the fence is closed, the shape is relatively regular. Therefore, it is quite easy to measure it by simply using the measuring tap. For the length of the long side of the fence, I measure it from tip to tip of the panel. For the thickness of each panel, I measure it by using a ruler which is more convenient for measuring such a short length. The maximum stretching out form of the fence is a bit hard to measure, for the irregular shape, so I put it on the table, making sure the two ends of the fence align to the table edge, and then I measured the length by using the measuring tap. To get the height of this arch-like shape, I measured it from the middle of the arch to the edge of the table.

149MM

Measured Drawings

315MM 1

9 10

SECTION

FOLDING WOOD FENCE

SECTION

PLAN VIEW

1: 2

4MM FOLDING WOOD FENCE ELEVATION 1: 2

260MM 1460MM

FOLDING WOOD FENCE MAX. STRETCHING OUT PLAN VIEW 1: 5

Wood Panels 18MM 304MM

ONE PANEL OF THE FOLDING WOOD FENCE PLAN VIEW 1: 2

Steel Joint

Digital Model

Plan View

Perspective View

Joint Transparent View

Joint Detail

Connection Detail

First I used sweep 1, torus and cylinder commands to create the basic elements of the joint, and then I used boolean difference to get rid of the unwanted parts. Finally, I used control point command to adjust the overall shape.

The panel was made from curves to surface and surface to solid. Then I used boolean difference command to make the joint holes on the panels.

At last, using Array command to complete the whole fence.

Difficulties: Difficult to find the joint position on the panel. Sometimes struggling with the boolean split command, for which after the command, the objects need to be exploded to get rid of the unwanted parts.

Moving the joint and the panel to the correct posotion.

1.2 System Analysis

Joint

This object is a wood folding fence for hanging vines. The main structure system is folding and paneling. This structure gives the object more flexibility which means the object can be moved easily and stretched into multiple length. Also, Each wood panel is connected by pin joints. This kind of joint is not rigid but it can allow the each piece of the object swing around it.

Mechanical System

Each panel is connected with three other wood panels. When the object is stretched out, the horizontal length becomes shorter. The maximum stretching out form of the object is not a straight line. This might because of the thickness of the wood panels which effects the shape of the fence when it is being stretched out. In geometry, the movement of the wood panels can be viewed as the sliding of the two sides of a parallelogram. Although parallelogram is not as fixed as triangle, it is more dynamic and it can gives more options for people to choose the size or shape they want.

Deformation fo the Structure

Materials

Wood Panels

Steel Joint

The main material of the object is wood. Wood is a suitable material for planting and gardening, because it gives a feeling of nature. However, wood might rot after being used for a lone time in a moist environment. The material used for the joints is steel. Steel is relatively durable and solid material, compared to wood. It has high plasticity, so it can be shaped into various forms. However, steel is also easy to become rusty under moist environment.

1.3 Volume

System VS Form One of the quality that I like about the paneling and folding system is the flexibility. Each part of the whole paneling system can be moved and positioned into certain places. For the above sketch mode, I simply used a piece of paper and cut some stripes on it, and then I could fold it into many solids , such as a corridor and a latern. The stripes can be viewed as the panel pieces of the fence, these stripes can deformed the whole model, when they are under tensile and compressed forces. However, the paneling and folding can also be made for a more rigid structure by changing the pin joint into a more rigid join. Thus, I just simply use glue to connect the wood sticks to create a such a curvy canopy. This canopy cannot be deformed unless the forces exceed the maximum stress capability.

1.4 Sketch design proposal Elasticity, flexibility, adjustable

Responding to the personal space The garment is separate into two same stretchable parts. In normal form, the garment looks like a tassel dress. When people feel their personal spaces being invaded, they can pull the string at back, and then the dress will expand into a lantern shape to keep the invaders away. The distance to keep the personal spaces is adjustable.

Sphere, envelopment, privacy, defensive

Prototypes of the Hoberman Sphere

Responding to the personal space This idea is based on the prototype of Hoberman Sphere. Unlike the previous idea, this structure can shrink inward, but it still has spikes around the head when it is closed. Therefore, for the person who wears it, it will always provide a certain personal space to prevent external invasion. When the person needs more individual spaces, the sphere can expand larger to provide more spaces. Joint Details

Elasticity, flexibility, adjustable

Origami Closeup Detail

Responding to the personal space This idea is typically based on origami. The material is simply a piece of paper. The paper is folded into a tessellation pattern with the triangular prisms protruding. As paper is quite flexible for folding, the ultimate origami can be shaped into a cambered surface. Also, different from the other ideas, this structure engages the wearer to other people when the origami is stretched out. The whole structure will become a big plain plane to enclose a much larger space.

Reflection/

The panelling and folding system actually has very great potentials, as one of the qualities of this folding system is flexibility which interests me most. The form of this system can be quite daedal. However, when I was making the sketch models, I kind of constrained myself to the exact form or shape of the fence and ignored to explore more about the mechanical system of the object. I made the models by using the grid and linear shapes. When making the sketch models, I found out a significant element about the folding system, which is the transformation between 2D and 3D. Developed from the one direction movement of the fence, the lantern sketch model has more variations, as it can move into more directions. This inspired me to apply this kind of multi-layered system to the second skin design to address the dynamic form of the personal space. For the sketch ideas, initially, I just directly applied the form of the sketch models onto the second skin design and I ignored to adapt the second skin design to the irregular shape of the human body. After the presentation of the Module one and getting the feedbacks, I realised that my sketch ideas were too uniformed and it lacks variations. The second skin should have more interactions with the human bodies and respond to the irregularity of the personal space and the kinesics. For module one, it really opened my mind that it made me to think about the interaction between people and design, for which I have never think too much about the relationship between people and model design before. Also, through measuring, drawing and making digital model of a very common object, I could rethink about the panelling and folding system profoundly.

2.0 Design Karina Lai, Shengjie Wu, Zheng Wu

2.1 Design Development Intro

From the module 1, we have taken the idea of the form of a lantern, where it consists of multiple strips connected together. By having multiple strips, it allows for flexibity and transparency. After our experimentation of the prototype of the latern, we discovered different qualities the protoype can produce by twisting, compressing and stretching it. Hence we have chosen to further develop this prototype because of the potential it has.

Common Proposal

The concept taken from this module 1 is personal space should vary, similarily to the way it varies according to our body. It can be viewed as a portable territory which is not equal in all areas throughout our body. As shown in this sketch design, there are second skin takes up more space at the front of the body, since we may feel less comfotable when somone is in front of us compare to behind us. Further, different people can have different interpretation of personal space. This idea is convyed in this sketch design through the expandable triangular shape which can be adjusted according to the userâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs.

This shell structure reflects the protective quailty of personal space. It comprises of multiple strips overlayed one another to form a grid pattern around the body. The concept behind this deisgn is to provide flexibility and allow one to adjust their personal spaces according to its surrounding environment. This form also allows for personal space to be semi-transparent.

Our concept of our second skin design derives from our 3 sketch designs from our module 1. In all 3 sketch design, personal space is percieved to be flexible and have the ability to be varied according to the user and their surrounding environment.

2.2 Refined Sketch Models Prototype 1 (Curlicue)- paper

Pros: -By twisting the 2-Dimensional sqaure, it can be turned into a 3-Dimensional shape -size of the square can be varied depending on the size of the paper Cons: -difficult to join multiple sqaures together -when folded multiple times, it is not flexible and can be quite rigid

Prototype 2 (Eclipse)- paper/MDF

Pros: -High flexibility; can be folded in different directions Cons: -there are material constrains; only polypropylene can be used. Paper is too fragile and MDF board is too rigid

Prototype 3 (Origami)- paper

Pros: --can be expanded and contracted -can be create a surface from a strip directions Cons: -- possibly be difficult to use other materlas, such as polypropylene, as it might be too rigid

2.3 Digitization & Design Proposal V.1

PLAN VIEW

SIDE VIEW

FRONT VIEW

Design Proposal

This proposed idea consists of multiple strips wrapped around the body. The strips are bound together by through a common band which is attached to each ends of the strips. By moving and rotating the band around the body, the composition of the strips will vary and therefore will create irregularity. Depedending on the movement of the user, the composition of the strips change. Hence, suggesting personal space can alter to adapt to different kinds of people. The two bands allow one person to loop the band onto another person, in order to form a common â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;personal spaceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; between the two. This creates a space formed by multiple flexible strips. Therefore reflects our interpretation of personal space which can be translucent, free flowing and malleable.

2.4. Precedents Reaserch Veasyble by GAIA Concept: Engaging & repelling, flexible, flat to volume, adaptation

The concept behind this project by GAIA is to allow one to create a personal space with another, hence a ‘space for personal intimacy’ (Veasyble, n.d). The idea of this ‘wearable accessory’ is somewhat relate to one of our concept of engaging another person to the personal space and creating a flexible volume to adapt the different situations. This structure consists of folded paper which is ‘bonded to polyethylene and fabric’ to enable strength and durabilty (Veasyble, n.d). The notion of isolation and inclusiveness is conveyed through this accessory’s ability to include another whilst excluding and blocking out the surrounding environment. The folded creases enable the user to expand and adjust it according to their individual need; as when it is not needed, it can be folded into a bag. This demonstrates transformation from a flat surface to a three dimensional volume. Moreover, this allows the accessory to be portable and user friendly, achieving by the application of the panelling and folding mechanical system. Not only does this provide personal space to two people, it can also be used to isolate the user from others (shown in the first six images on top). Hence, the function of it can vary depending on the user’s preference. The Veasyble is one of the precedents shaped our concept behind our creation for personal space. Our concept is to create a wearable second skin which is flexible and can be varied to suit the user’s needs, able to provide privacy which accommodates for more than one person, and to create a structure able to be transformed from 2D to 3D. Our interpretation of personal space is that it can be used to exclude others and include others, so in some way, it is like a portable territory which can repel the invaders and also can welcome the friends (Sommer, 1969). After applying these ideas to our design, we made the first version of our second skin design which maintains the lantern shape but has extra retractable parts for engaging people. When the wearer feels his personal space invaded by other people, he can adjust the lantern shape horizontally to create more volume for himself or he can extrude the upper parts of the second skin to block the outside environment.

Dalian International Conference Centre by Coop Himmelb(l)au Concept: Breathability, transparency, twisting, strip The façade of this building inspired our concept of manipulating with the stripes. Different from the common solid walls, the outer skin of this building allows it to “breath” to get the sunshine and wind through to the inner areas. This idea makes the building interact more with the natural environment and reduces the footprint for the building. Also, the twisting striped façade creates “a spatially multifaceted building volume and differentiate the close surroundings” for the whole structure (ArchDaily, 2013). Therefore, inspired by the idea of breathable skin, we design the wearable second skin with multiple strips which create dynamic volume by changing the transparency of them. Further, the strip form also indicates that personal space is something which exists, however cannot always be defined and be seen physically, and it should also adapt to the environment or the different situations encountered by the wearers.

2.5 Digitization & Design Proposal V.2-1

The precedent’s concept of ‘engaging another person and excluding the surrounding in expansion’ is well applied to this part, ‘flat strips form an expandable structure’. This concept is also further developed into the idea of the breathability and semi-transparency. Firstly, multiple layers of the lantern structure of different radii are stacked together to address the personal space of varying radii around the wearer. As the wearer demands more personal space near the feet for walking at ease, and more personal space around the shoulder for changing the position of arms flexibly, the lantern structures around these spaces have larger radii. Secondly, the parts below the shoulder serves as a measure of protection for the abdominal and lower body from external invasion, and strings in tension are used to hold these parts in their maximum expansion, while the parts above the shoulder can be more flexibly expanded upwards to protect the wearer’s shoulder and head spaces from external invasion without blocking the eyes due to the semi-transparency of the lantern strips, as well as to expand along a projection line to engage another person’s upper body. This creates a ‘space of intimacy’ not only for the individual wearer, but also ‘a space of privacy’ for two persons in appropriate situations, such as when they are kissing, having private conversations, and isolating themselves from surrounding distractions.

Reconsidering the Personal Space/ Previously, our concept regarding to the personal space covers the whole body. However, after making two versions of second skin design and deeper research on the reading of Personal space: the behavioral basis of design by Sommer (1969), we found out that personal space is much more complicated than what we were thinking and it is not evenly distributed on the human body. As mentioned by Sommer (1969), persona space relates to a number of different factor, namely emotions, personalities and mentalities. After reconsidering these different factors, we came up the draft body map, for which we found that upper body takes up larger proportions of the personal space, especially for the sensitive and fragile areas of the body. Therefore, communication area of the body, such as head and arms, and the lower parts of the body has relatively less proportions of the personal space.

Modifies Sketch Models

Prototype 3 (Popping Up) -- Paper, Polyproplene, Card Board/ Pros: -High flexibility and can create different forms -Can be transformed from flat shape (2D shape) to 3D form -Able to create more volume -Flexible enough to adapt different states of the personal space Cons: -material lacks strength, therefore polypropylene and card board may suit better

2.5 Digitization & Design Proposal V.2-2

PLAN VIEW

FRONT VIEW

SIDE VIEW

PERSPECTIVE VIEW

Design Proposal

For the rainbow shape development model, we decided to make the 3d models first and then put it into flat for laser cutting. This method can make it easier for us to generate the digital and physical models from our minds and concepts without losing too much information and details (Scheurer & Stehling, 2011). Actually, we had the physical prototype of this model first and then we made some variations of the prototype. Then we abstracted the essential concepts and general shapes from our ideas and then made the digital model. The main idea of the developed design is to have more stripes and more coverage of the upper body. This allow the wearer has more options for defining his personal space. Moreover, instead of having regular shape and repetitive movements, we make this model have many stripes with varied sizes and move towards different directions. Also, considering of the feasibility, we add two small rings around the wrists and elbows for the attachment of the body. As mentioned previously in the refined design part, we have made three version of the rainbow shape folding, for which we used polypropylene, ivory card and normal paper. Finally, we chose polypropylene, because we need a material which can be folded easily but also has good plasticity. This will make the second skin model not only has the flexibility when they are folded into different shapes to suit the different requirements for personal space, but also can stay in a shape until people want to change its form. The process of testing the materials allows us to develop a solution making each individual aspect work for all situations (Scheurer & Stehling, 2011).

2.6 Prototype V.1 & Testing Effects

Material: Polypropene & Pin Joints The prototype is attached to the body through a ring which consists of a band with multiple holes. To allow the diameter of the ring to differ in order to fit various people, there are multiple holes with around 1mm interval in between them. The pin joints serves to hold the band into a ring shape, which is looped around the personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arms. Through tesing the prototype we had found polypropene is not rigid enough to hold its shape. It is often found when it was worn on a person, the strips will fall back to its original shape without having a 3-Dimensional quality to it.

Reflection/

For module 2, flexibility was the common idea for us, so we further developed this concept and applied it to our design. In addition, we also added the concept of engaging people for personal space to our design. After studying and doing more research on the precedents, we formed our initial design idea for the second skin. Based on the dual purpose of both including and excluding learned from the precedent, we further developed the lantern structure. Then, we found that our design ignored the variety and irregularity of the personal space. We realised that although the lantern structure can be flexible and dynamic, it is still too uniformed and it lacks of variation. To adapt more properly to the personal space, we made a personal space body map after reconsidering multiple factors, such as personality and the surrounding environment. We continued the idea of using strips which can provide breathability and transparency to the second skin, but we explored more about the one of the important concepts of the panelling and folding system, which is the transformation between 2D and 3D. Then, we have the final prototype of the popping up rainbow structure. However, during the process of making the rainbow structure, we focused too much on the flexibility and dynamic, so we lost the control of the design. One of reason for this is that the scales of the final prototype and the sketch model are different, as the sketch model is much smaller than the final one. Another reason is that the material, polypropylene, works for the smaller sketch model, but it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work for the final prototype, as the final one is too big that polypropylene is too soft to stay at the form we desired. From these problems, I have a deeper understanding of the relationship between reality and difital model mentioned in the readings by Scheurer & Stehling (2011). As for digital models, we can manipulate the forms into many shapes we want, because they are not affected by gravity or other natural environmental influences. However, for reality, the ideal form or effect of the model is challenged by a number of factors and one crucial factor is material, as the material may perform differently for different scales of the models under different circumstances. Therefore, from module 2, we actually encountered the situation of having great difference between our proposed design and the actual model. This made us realise the importance of the materials and the influencing factors to our design in reality. Thus, for the next stage of fabrication in module 3, we should consider not only how to have more control of the form of our design while also keep the concept of flexibility and dynamic, but also the influences of different materials on our final second skin model.

3.0 Fabrication Karina Lai, Shengjie Wu, Zheng Wu

3.1 Refined Personal space Body Map

3.2 Fabrication Introduction

Review from Module 2/ After our feedback from M2, we have decided to not continue to develop the previous proposed design from M2. However, instead we chose three of the prototypes made from M2 and used the common features of them to further develop our second skin design. The reason of this is because the proposed design didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t accurately address the concept of personal space and we want the wearer has more controls over the movements of the second skin. We had realized the reason behind this, which was the overall form and the materials. The reason for choosing these three prototypes from module 2 was due to its ability to convert a three dimensional shape from a two dimensional shape. Its ability to be changed fits to our concept of personal space being flexible and altered when needed. Hence, based on these three types of prototypes, we have decided to combine them in order to improve our second skin design.

3.3 Design Development & Fabrication of Prototype V2

Prototype Testing & Evolution/ Instead of using white cotton strings to connect modular panels for flexible performance, we chose continuous linear etching lines to connect most of the panels which are supposed to display solidity and to achieve greater control of their form, while the rest of the panels are connected by short etching connections to create some gaps and therefore transparency at the two sides of the connections. In order to achieve the effect of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;popping outâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on modular panels, we discovered the method by which we use a transparent nylon fishing string to connect certain holes on a cut pattern of strips on a modular panel. Hence, we have gained control over the extent of popping out of the strips by pulling the string behind the panel, and by doing so, the cut pattern of strips can dramatically transit from a flat surface to a visually complex popping-out structure. We chose the transparent nylon fishing string for aesthetic reason and strength in tension. We chose paper board of 1 mm thickness as the material for the fabrication of Prototype V.2, because it is light, flexible without compromising holding strength, contrasted to the looseness and excessive flexibility of polypropylenes.

Updated Rhino Model

PLAN

ELEVATION

PERSPECTIVE

Prototype Detail

Perspective Viiew

View to the Inside

View to the Outside

3.4 Reading & Reading Applied to Design Week 6 (Architecture in the Digital Age - Design + Manufacturing) Digital Fabrication: From Digital to Physical Traditionally, the architects usually “drew what they could build, and built what they could draw”. However, this phenomenon still remains in some cases of the digital fabrication. The designers are now more engaged into the fabrication, because the digital information created by the designers can control the mechanical data of the fabrication machines in direct. Therefore, the processes of designing and of fabrication has more mutual effects on each other, for which the ability of architectural construction is becoming a functional aspect of digital design (computability). The digital production has more potentials for various creative ideas, but also “within schedule and budget framework”. As the complicated geometries are presented more accurate by the NURBS curves and surface, the CNC fabrication processes enable the more complex construction. Two-dimensional Fabrication: In this method of digital fabrication, CNC cutting is most commonly used. It has a two-axis motion cutting head, the x and y axes, and it can only cut sheet materials by using the cutting head, a moving bed or a combination of the two. This method of fabrication involves various technologies, such as plasma-arc, laser-beam and waterjet.

2D Fabrication: CNC Cutting

Subtractive Fabrication: This method of fabrication is mainly used for subtracting certain volume of the materials by using various techniques, such as electro-, chemically- or mechanically- reductive processes. In this process, multi-axis milling is involved. However, the three-axis milling machine, including X, Y and Z axes, has some limitations, when it encounters the undercuts. Therefore, a four- or even five- axis machine is needed. The CNC milling movements are controlled by a series of computing coded instructions. Nowadays, the CNC milling is used for industrial purposes, as well, such as casting concrete on-site and off-site, with some complicated double curvilinear patterns. Additive Fabrication: This fabrication method is mainly used by adding materials layer by layer and the original digital solid model is divided into two-dimensional layers. This method also includes multiple techniques, such as SLA (Stereolithography), SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) an 3DP (3D Printing). Due to the limited size of the models, this technology is mainly used for making complex curvilinear geometries. A recent technology, called contour crafting, is a combination technique of extruding the surface shell of an object and filling the object’s core.

Laser Cut format

Assembly: After the production, digital 3D models can be precisely assembled by moving each component aspect into the exact location. Compared to the traditional method which uses dimensions and coordinates from drawings and tape measures, the new technology uses laser positioning and electronic surveying. This new digitally-driven technique indicates that the construction of building components can be fully managed by a computerised information system and this is an evolutionary process of architecture industry.

Week 6 Reading Applied to Design The most appropriate form of cutting technique to be used in our second skin project would be the laser cutter. As we intend to use either polypropylene or ivory card and they are both materials which can ‘absorb light energy’. In order to fabricate our second skin, we can construct a digital model first (3-dimensional form) and convert it into a ‘planar tessellation’ (2- dimensional form), through the process of ‘nesting’. Which the laser cutter will ‘cut in corresponding pieces of the sheet’, then it’ll be folded manually by hand, in order to transform it into a 3-Dimensional shape (shown in 1.1). By folding the ‘planar tessellation’ which will be laser cut, it demonstrates a transition from a 2- dimensional form to a 3-dimensional form. The reading proposed the properties of a material can impact the design, for example, having the material respond to the internal/ external environment. In our second skin project, we intend for it to be adjustable, by having the ability to change its form/ and or transparency, depending on; the user’s preferences, the area of the body which the second skin is protecting and also the surrounding environment and circumstances (shown in 1.3). For example, in some areas of the second skin, it’ll be able to have its transparency adjustable through the mechanism of pulling a string (shown in 1.2). In instances where the user feels uncomfortable, they are able to pull the strings to allow the second skin to close up its gaps and converting it into a planar form (shown in 1.2 & 1.3). As the material will most likely be polypropylene or ivory card, these materials allows for it to be folded and reverted back into its original form a number of times, without compromising its integrity. Further, the reading mentioned architects today ‘manipulates NURB surfaces to create complex surfaces’. Not only do these surfaces serve for ‘aesthetic reasons’, but also serving ‘structural purposes’, as there is a trend to ‘embed the structure into the skin’. Hence, the skin having a dual purpose and become ‘one element’. In application for our second skin project, the ‘skin’ which is our ‘panel and folds’, will also act as a structural element. This will be shown as there will be no wire or structural frame to support it underneath and the folds itself will provide structural rigidity

1.1- From ‘planar tessellation’ (2-Dimensional form) to second skin (3-Dimensional form). Achieved through folding and taking the cutted shapes out.

1.2- Can be adjusted from a solid planar surface to a transparent surface by pulling a string.

1.3- The transparency of the second skin can be adjusted to suit the user and its external environment.

Week 7 Digital Fabrications: architectural + material techniques Tessellation is a highly aggregative pattern which has multiple panels attached to each other without gap. This architectural method has been used for centuries. Originally, it was used for mosaics on the screen walls or the stained-glass windows in the cathedrals. These surfaces can create lights and shadows interests, define spaces and delivery specific meanings. Most of these features are still remained in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tessellation structures. However, different form the handcrafted age, the patterns of the usually calculated by digital programs in the computers. The digital technology allows a transition from the digital model to the more simplified vectorline file for fabrication. Triangulation on a Cube

Moreover, nowadays, tessellation is not only used for decoration, but also used more frequently as a means for approximating a complicated surface, such as a curvilinear surface and double-curved surface. In this way, the manufacturers can fabricate these surfaces by using industrialized standard products, such as bricks, tiles and siding. In the undulating wall project by Fabio Gramazio and Matthias Kohler, the arrangement of each brick units is done by the robots, for which it was a revolutionary digital technology. In modern architecture, with the rapid development of the digital fabrication, the individual panel of the tessellation can be customised for creating various patterns and more geometrically complex surfaces which approach closer and closer to the aspiration of the architects. In the BMW Welt by Coop Himmelb(l)au, the unique flat panels placed on the large curvilinear surface is a great demonstration of using tessellation to deal with scales and curvatures. Also, software provides more tessellating potentials which spurs more design methods and styles. This reciprocity between the digital fabrication and the tessellation design is becoming more and more obvious.

Hexagonal Body Frame

Week 7 Reading Applied to Design Firstly, grasshopper was used to tessellate at ease the frame of hexagonal pattern on the irregular surface we desired the second skin to cover. This digital tool allowed us to deal with scales and curvatures without manipulating the frame manually, which would require a lot of time and efforts. Secondly, we further triangulate the hexagonal frame using grasshopper so that the hexagonal panels of undevelopable nature can be unrolled in Rhinoceros and therefore can be laser cut in two-dimensional fabrication process. Moreover, digital programming is used to add complex cut patterns of popping out strips on the modular panels in our design. For example, offsetting of polylines was used to conveniently create a pattern of evenly spaced concentric polygons on a modular panel. Not only does this save time from physical prototype work, this also allows us to digitally evaluate the optimal effect of the popping out pattern on each modular panel.

3.5 Design Development & Fabrication of Prototype V3

We have continued to further develop our previous idea (shown in the previous rhino model and design development) by aiming to create a form which was able to be transformed from a 2-Dimensional shape to a 3- Dimensional form with volume. In our process of creating our prototypes, we experimented with different patterns and its effect it was able to create. Our concept behind the prototypes was to allow the user to create and control the degree of transparency through having fishing rods connected to each strip of the pattern. When the fishing rod is pulled, the strips will contract. As a result, this forms a pattern and transform a solid panel to a volumised form. We have found, the level of transparency created and the volume is dependent on the pattern of the panel. After considering the different patterns of the different prototypes, we had decided to use this form of pattern for our final design (shown in the photograph below). As this pattern allows creates the most volume compare to the others, whilst allowing for transparency. The triangular division within the polygonal frame allows for easier fabrication as it is a developable surface. The triangular surface is a developable surface, as the triangles allows a curvilinear surface to be created through dividing it into multiple triangles. Hence, this will assist and allow for flexibility for our later design idea because of the potential of a developable surface. Further, by dividing it into triangles, it is more feasible for the fabrication process.

3.6 Final Prototype Development + Optimization Material Optimization

Material: Print Paper

Material: Cardboard

From our module 2, we have found the material we had used previously lacked rigidity, hence also lacked control. However, after experimenting with our prototypes, we realised we needed a material which allows flexibility for it to fold and unfold. Hence we wanted to find a material which allowed for flexibilty to an extend, whilst having some degree of rigidity. We had found by using printing paper, it did not hold its shape as it was too flexible (shown in image 1). We have considered using polyproplene, however itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll mean we would have to ectch on the polypropylene to create the folding lines. We were concerned that if we folded the etched line repeatedly it will eventually break. However, folding the polyproplene without an etched line will create an unclean fold. As a result, we have decided to use carboard (shown in image 2), as it allowed for folding and also had a degree of rigidity which allows for the form/shape to hold in place, hence create volume. By having the fishing rods attached to the strips on each of the panel, it will result in having multiple fishing rods/strings hanging off the second skin. This will create an uncoherent aesthetic, therefore we are no longer used attachment (eg. fishing rods/strings) to connect the strips. But instead, to form the degree of transparency in the fabrication process and not providing the option for the user to adjust its transparency.

Effect Optimization

Material 1: This cardboard is of a metallic white in colour and when light is shone upon it, the paper illuminates an aqua/ green colour.

After choosing to use cardboard, we narrowed down the choice of color. We had decided we wanted to use the material of our second skin to also reflect adaptability. This can be achieved through using a material which had a reflective quality to it. The metallic finish produces a reflective quality through capturing the light in the surrounding environment and radiating the light back into the environment. This alludes to the idea of which the second skin is something which can change and be adapted according to the environment. As the degree of reflectiveness depends on the amount of lght surrounding the second skin. In response to this, we have narrowed down to two types of metablic coloured cardboard. In our final design, we have decided to use the second reflective material, due to its higher degree of reflectiveness, compare to the material 1.

Material 2: This metallic cardboard has a higher reflective quality to it, compare to the metallivc white cardboard.

Fabrication Optimization

Connections/

Clear Tape

We have tried two ways of connecting the panels. The first method was to create 3D printed joints, by slotting the panels the two panels into it. However, we have found it created gaps between the panels. The second method we tried was by placing sticky tape over the connecting tabs behind the panels and stapling it. However, the sticky tape doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t allow for a clean finish. In our final second skin, we have decided to staple the tabs of the panel to connect them together.

3D Print Joints

Stape

Fabrication Optimization

Side Joints/ In terms of putting on and removing the second skin off, it is wrapped around the body and secured on the body by connecting two tabs. The connecting tabs are located underneath the right arm. At first, we attempted to connect the tabs by slotting the tabs into the holes. But we have found, after slotting it in and folding it into the holes, the tabs became frail.

Tabs which became frail

For the final second skin, we had decided to thread wires and securing the wires with glue. We had also used masking tape to hide the glue and colouring the tape with a metallic silver to make it less visible.

Wires attached

Holes in the tabs for the wires to slot through

3.7 2nd Skin Final Design

For the final design, we separated the 2nd skin design into 3 major parts. The orange part is the sensitive area, the green parts are the less sensitive areas and they are used as transition parts for the whole model, and the last blue part at the back is the defensive part. The sensitive parts are very spiky and has low transparency. The transition part has a smooth popping out form to connect the higher parts to the lower parts. The defensive part has more depth and more transparency, as back is not a sensitve area, but people cannot see it, so this area of the 2nd skin part are still very spiky.

Defensive part

Sensitive and transition parts

3.8 Fabrication Sequence From Surafce to Frame

The number sliders are for adjusting the overall size of each hexagonal panel.

For the hexagonal tesselation frame of our model, we used the Luchbox in Grasshopper to generate the frame structure form the curvelinear surface.

From Frame to Panel

After we make the frame from the surface, we create the panels for our final design, we divided each hexagon cell into triangles for the later laser cutting fabrication. This step is very important for our final design, for which itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s much more accurate to unroll triangles instead of hexagonal surfaces. Then we number the edges of the triangles for the later model assembling.

Frome Digital to Physical (Laser cutting)

Setting the curve for offseting

For doing the digital fabrication more effeciently, we used grasshopper for making the offsetting lines for laser cutting. We divide the panels into some smaller parts for the convenience of assembling and laser cut them separately to see the effects.

Making the lines in order

Offsetting distance Offsetting lines number

Offset command (similar to the command in Rhino) Outcome offsetting curves

Physical Model Assemblage/ After getting the laser cutting panels, we started to assemble them according to the edge numbers of the digital model. For the connection of each panel, we used stables to join the tabs of each panel. Then, for getting rid of the burnt marks at the back, we used matellic markers to paint at the back for hiding these undesired marks. As the metallic cardboard is a bit hard for folding neatly, we scored the cardboard at front and then folded it.

3.9 Assembly Diagram

3.10 Final Second Skin Design

Reflection/ For us, Module 3 was a quite challenging process for us. When we were doing Module 3, we had changed our concepts and ideas a lot from Module 2, for which we were trying to design a second skin with more controls and add more context to our final design. Different from the previous long strip rainbow-shaped mode, although the second skin design of module 3 maintained the strip element, it is much more modular than the previous prototype and each small panel has a more rigid form. In this way, we can keep the shape we want for the final larger scale second skin model and minimise the different between the prototypes and the final model. This big conceptual change was derived from the reading by Iwamoto (2009) who mentioned about the tessellation which can approximating a curvilinear surface for easier fabrication. For the first version of our model, each panel has exactly the similar size of the regular hexagon, but we found that it lacks context and relations to our personal space map, for which this second skin has the same personal space for every part of the body. Then, we were thinking of having more variations based on the hexagon shape. Hence, we decided to change each edge of the hexagon, because this could allow us to change the size of the hexagons and fit them to the different parts of the body to address the irregular shape of the personal space. In the later digital fabrication stage, we further divided the hexagon into triangles in order to make the physical fabrication easier. This is idea was inspired by the lecture which mentioned about that triangles are always developable surface. With these different sized triangles, not only could we create the rigid form we desired, but also could unroll the irregular polygonal surfaces into planar surfaces for laser cutting. Also, this idea was also influenced by the reading of Kolarevic (2003) who mentioned the relationship between digital modelling and digital fabrication, for which the fabrication process sometimes will inspire and have a crucial impact on design and nowadays, more architects are involved in the digital fabrication. Thus, the readings and the lectures provided us multiple ways for us to achieve the design we proposed and enabled us to solve the problems we encountered.

4.0 Final Reflection Through twelve weeks of intense study of digital design and fabrication, it has been a quite helpful learning experience for me. It was not a simple model designing subject for me, for which the concept of wearable architecture was very inspiring for me and it opened my mind of designing things with a mechanical system. Initially, for module one, I chose the panelling and folding system and I was thinking it was all about origami. However, the case study object was a folding fence which was made out wood. This kind of changed my mind about the panelling and folding system, but I still did not have a very clear idea about the system and the form. In the sketch design, due to my ambiguous understanding of the system, my second skin designs didn’t have much variations and relevance to the personal space. Actually, when I was doing design models in my previous subjects, the form and the appearance were somewhat more important for me and I wasn’t paying much attention to the system or function of a design. Hence, after thoroughly studying a seemingly simple object and getting the feedbacks from module one, I virtually explored a mechanical system with great potentials which has a significant influence on later design concepts and models. In module, I worked with in a group with Karina and Tirteen. It was a great experience to work them and they provided many interesting ideas which inspired me to have more variations of the second skin design. However, when doing module 2, we also encountered a number of problems. One big problem was that we were having too many ideas and we couldn’t choose one to further develop it. A t last, we kind of rush into a rough prototype model. Also, because of not considering much about the materials, we had the final prototype model almost completely different from what we proposed in a smaller scaled prototype and we didn’t have much time to test more materials. This made us really think of the materials as well as the controls of a larger scaled model. Learning from problems encountered in the digital fabrication process of module 2, we started to think of how to have more controls of our design and making it address the personal space concept we proposed. At first, we narrowed down our ideas to 2 to 3 prototypes and extract the benefits from them to make our final design. The idea of tessellation in the reading by Iwamoto was really inspiring, for which it reminded us about one crucial element about the panelling and folding system which is the ‘panelling’ part of the system. We were focusing too much on ‘folding’ and ignored ‘panelling’. Then, we came up with the idea of having multiple small prototypes with different sizes to adapt the form of the personal space. After deciding the general form of the model, we began to choose materials. This time, we tested multiple materials to find the best one to suit our design approaches. Then, in one of the lectures, we were really interested by the memory metal. However, it wasn’t a feasible material for us due to the price and the limited suppliers. Then we started to look for the materials with similar properties to that. Then, we found the reflective cardboard as our final model material. During the fabrication, there were many interesting ideas, for which we discarded a complex 3D print joint to a simple stapled connection, for which we found that the 3D print joints had a undesired gaps between panels. Then, we chose covering the burnt marks by using silver markers instead of using sprays, because we were considering that the pigments may leak through the gaps. In general, the final model was quite ideal. Nevertheless, it was still relatively fragile and it was not as rigid as we wanted. Also, different from metals, this cardboard was still lack of stability. Overall, we successfully presented our ideas onto our second skin design. I learned a lot about how to apply systems or logics to a design. Through the readings, the feedbacks and the lectures, I am able to solve many problems or issues appeared during the digital fabrication process. This really makes me think of more about the details of a design, such as connections and refurbishment. Further, it also taught to think about how to minimise the difference between the digital model and the physical model, sometimes by changing materials, sometimes by refining forms. Finally, this subject also makes me realise the importance about the materials which, in some extend, determines the success of a design.

5.0 APPENDIX

Credits Page

Shengjie Wu Drawings

Computation

Model Fabrication

Model Assembly

Karina Lai Photography

Zheng Wu Writing

Graphic Design

Page

Cover

Drawings

Computation

Model Fabrication

Model Assembly

Photography

Writing

Graphic Design

xx x

15 16

18 19

25 xxx

27 29

xxx

Page

Drawings

Computation

Model Fabrication

Model Assembly

Photography

Writing

Graphic Design

xxx

x x

xxx

72 73

Reference List

Enric Miralles,Carme Pinos, 1988/1991, â&#x20AC;&#x153;How to lay out a croissantâ&#x20AC;? El Croquis 49/50 Enric Miralles, Carme Pinos, En Construccion pp. 240-241 Heath, A., Heath, D., & Jensen, A. (2000). 300 years of industrial design : function, form, technique, 1700 - 2000 / Adrian Heath, Ditte Heath, Aage Lund Jensen. New York : Watson-Guptill. Cheng, R. 2008. Inside Rhinoceros 4 / Ron K.C. Cheng. Clifton Park, NY : Thomson/Delmar Learning, c2008. Sommer, R. 1969. Personal space : the behavioral basis of design / Robert Sommer. Englewood Cliffs, N.J. : Prentice-Hall, c1969.A Scheurer, F. and Stehling, H. _2011_: Lost in Parameter Space? IAD: Architectural Design, Wiley, 81 _4_, July, pp. 70-79 Asperl et al, 2007,Surfaces that can be built from paper / In H.Pottmann, A.Asperl,M.Hofer, A.Kilian (eds) Architectural Geometry, p534-61, Bentley Institute Press Kolarevic, B 2003, Architecture in the Digital Age - Design and Manufacturing /Branko Kolarevic. Spon Press, London Marble, S, 2008. Building the Future: Recasting Labor in Architecture/ Philip Bernstein, Peggy Deamer. Princeton Architectural Press. pp 38-42 Rifkin, J 2011, The third Industrial Revolution. Palgrave Macmillan.pp107-126 Coop Himmelb(l)au, 2017, Dalian International Conference Center, viewed 1st June 2017, <http://www.coop-himmelblau.at/architecture/projects/dalianinternational-conference-center> Figure List: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V5pw9SlmZe4/VgdADW9kWRI/AAAAAAAADJ4/plaeey2mkNM/s1600/word-cloud.jpg http://www.staffingthousandoaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/188062519-1024x7z681.jpg http://www.archello.com/en/project/dalian-international-conference-center/image-44 http://www.archdaily.com/405787/dalian-international-conference-center-coop-himmelb-l-au http://fashioningtech.com/2010/01/15/transformative-fashion-accessories-provide-shelter-and-intimacy/ http://www.design.nl/item/snakemolting_by_camille_cortet http://www.thetrendboutique.co.uk/transformations-by-camille-cortet/a http://www.coop-himmelblau.at/architecture/projects/dalian-international-conference-center/