DIGITAL DESIGN + FABRICATION SM1, 2016 M2 JOURNAL – SLEEPING POD Cheng Chi Yau 723265, Shen Yu qian 722611 Michelle James, Group No. 1
Sketch Design Development
MAIN IDEA: COMFORT: Provide a comfortable sleeping environment when people is sleeping on the desk. Taking lighting and ventilation into consideration. ROUND CURVE: Using round curves instead of sharp triangular structures for not being defensive to others. PRIVACY: Providing a private space and giving the user a sense of security. IMPROVEMENT: -Portable/Fordable -Flexible Analysing different sleeping posts: 1. with one arm stretching out --- requirement in the length 2. with two arms under the head---requirement in width 3. with one's head propped on the hands --- requirement in height
Refined Sketch Model
The frames of this M1 model is made by paper rolls, which cannot be expanded and compressed smoothly. The paper is not rigid enough to support the whole structure. Mechanism of this model needed to be adjusted.
We tried to used straws to replace paper, it is easier to make and lighter. One straw is cut into half then overlap with another. For the hinge, we cut a hole at the end of the outside one so that they can buckle up when they expand.
The skin of this M1 model is made by strings which form different density. The type of materials can be further explored in the next stage while the form of the structure can still be kept.
We tried to use straws as well to make the skin. Straws are cut and placed vertically between each rib. It creates a sense of dynamic with various height of straws. The sizes and lengths of straws can still be further discussed to shape a smooth surface for the sleeping pod.
This is a part of the frames, we used the bendable part of the straw to make the curve so it can be lengthened.
PERSONAL SPACE MAPPING
We first studied the common ways of a person sleeps on table. The photos from left to right showcase how she changed the sleeping positions. Starts from the first photo, she propped her head on one of her hands, then she put down the hand on the table towards the front and moved the hand back to herself. The two diagrams show the personal space with one sleeping on a table. The personal space when sleeping tends to be larger than normal as when a person is in sleep, he/she will be less sensitive to the surrounding. Larger barrier is needed to prevent others interrupt him/her. In the first diagram, space needed in front of the face has the greatest distance, i.e. from 30cm with close friends to 50 cm with strangers. The spaces required at the back is less than the front, i.e. around 25cm. As one is sleeping, spaces for arms required more than normal as one may want to stretch his/her arms. Same as the first diagram, the second diagram shows that personal space required around the head is largest. The space around arms are more than normal as one may not want others to disturb her by touching her arms.
Sleeping pod proposed design V.1 PROCESS:
Creating curves according to the plan
Adding and extruding the base lines
Adding and extruding the ribs
Creating the skin with 'loft' command
2.3 Proposed design: Supporting images + Descriptive text
Design the structure as a series of different sizes of half ovals with different laying density. The circles above the head will be larger and lied in a more denser way. The circles at the front are smaller which aim to provide ventilation and lighting. The structure is improved by exceeding the shoulders to the back which protects the personal space and block lights from the back as well. The sleeping pod can be dragged both vertically and horizontally to fit different sizes of users and sleeping posts. The skin may be the fabric which is good in tension and have low transparency to cover the user in sleep.
2.3 Proposed design: Supporting images + Descriptive text
800mm
When the structure is fully closed, it is only 150mm in length, 200mm in height and 400mm in width but can be dragged to maximum 800mm high and 600mm long and 800mm wide.
200mm
150mm 600mm
Side view of the transformation of the structure
To make the structure portable, we design to fold the whole structure 3 times to make it Âź size of the original structure. It can be seen in the figure that it is like a roll after folding the structure which is more easy for carrying. Perspective view of the transformation of the structure.
The first position is when one arm is stretching out; the diagram shows how to lengthen the sleeping pod.
The second position is when two arms placing under the head; the diagram shows how to widen the sleeping pod.
The third position is when one's head propped on the hands; the diagram shows how to increase the sleeping pod in height.
Sleeping pod proposed design V.2
Design decisions: Fit two sleeping conditions—sleeping on the desk and leaning against a support. Support the back and neck when leaning against the structure. Protect personal belongings
Need support at neck Need support at back
People on campus will always carry some personal belongings with them
Design the side structure as this. Providing a curtain thing to block light and provide privacy.
The bag is insecure
Support at the neck and back May add some cushion at the back to provide support
Design the bottom part in a curve form and create some volume to put personal belongings. The curve can protect the belongings as well.
Precedent Research Burnham Pavilion - Zaha Hadid Architects
Fluid, reusable, multi-functional, smooth
Name of precedent and designer
What is the concept of the precedent? [Maximum 5 key words]
Description of precedent The pavilion is composed of a bent aluminum structure as the frames (bones) of it and each rib is shaped and welded to create an oval-shaped shelter. The inner and outer fabric skins are wrapped tightly around the frames to form a pavilion and also act as the screen for video installations.
Precedent Research Fluid, reusable, multi-functional, smooth
The frames of the pavilion composed by simple horizontal ovals inspired us to form our sleeping pod in similar form. We change the shapes into vertical ovals and a more circular shape in the side view. Originally we tried to used straws as the main frames but it is not strong enough, the pavilion with metal frames inspired us to use metal wires as the frames to increase strength.
Side view of the sleeping pod The pavilion use fabric skin to cover the whole structure and left a hold in the middle as the entrance. We remove the holes on top, reduce the size of hole and move it to the back of the structure so that the interior can be darker. The fabric skin of it also inspired us to make our sleeping pod with a smooth skin like using strings to cover the structure.
Back view of the sleeping pod
How can you use this precedent to influence your design ? The shape of the pavilion inspires us to form our design with simple oval-shape frame and covered by smooth skin.
Design development - Version #1 Adjustment: 1. Adjust the shapes and sizes of each rib to fit the user's body. 2. Create smaller holes in the front and at the back to block more light and increase privacy. 3. Adjust the user's position; add table and chair to showcase the effect.
PROCESS:
PLANS OF RHINO MODEL ON BODY
Adjust the shapes and sizes of each skin, i.e. smaller hole in the front and at the back to increase privacy.
ELEVATION OF RHINO MODEL ON BODY
ISOMETRIC OF RHINO MODEL ON BODY
Adjust the ribs and base to fit the skin.
Add the table and chairs to see the effect.
There are two version of this design, this is a barrier that block disturbances from outside,covered with overlaying strings with higher density at the top and lower at the bottom. The use of thread to form skin allows penetration of light and ventilation which create a comfortable environment to sleep in workplace.
This version is more defensive which covered with different sizes of straws. Straws at the top is placed vertically to warn others not to disturb the user. Straws are placed horizontally on two side; when the sides are expanded, there will be gaps between each straws to allow ventilation.
This diagram shows the pattern of strings at the bottom part. The bottom part is less dense.
This diagram shows the transparency of strings. The strings is more dense at the top to block direct light; more dense on the two sides of user's face to increase privacy while sleeping. The bottom part, front and back of the sleeping pod has higher transparency to allow ventilation and user can observe what's happening outside the structure.
This diagram shows the pattern of strings at the top. The area near the top is denser.
This diagram shows when the frames on two sides expand, straws will separate and create gaps in between which allow ventilations.
This diagram shows the placement of vertical and horizontal straws. The vertical straws are thicker in the middle to allow light and ventilation, thinner straws on two sides increase privacy.
This diagram shows the pattern of straws at the top. Area near the bottom has thinner straws.
Design development - Version #2
The expandability of the structure is made by using two straws with one enveloping another. The outside straw is cut half, with one hole at the end. Making another one with a triangle shape at the end, so when the one with a hole moving outside, the triangular pattern can get locked in the hole to ensure that two straws will not separate. The bones are made of wires within straws. The wires are hard to make shapes and the straws are not strong enough. So we made the structure like this, which can enable stability and good looking.
The skin is made by a series of small pattern of straws connected by invisible strings (using a needle to get through the straws).
The red part in the picture is the expandable part. It can be expanded both vertically and horizontally to create different volume inside.
Design development - Version #2 The white straws are more transparent which can tell others what is going on inside.
The blue straws can provide a more darker effect inside. Put these blue straws at the side to block more lights.
These blue straws are much smaller which can provide a denser effect and more privacy.
Using different kinds of straws to create a comparatively bright effect at the top and gradually darker effect at the side and most dense effect at the bottom. Others can tell what is going on inside the pod from the top but can do not see clearly, and the user inside can also notice what is happening around through holes of straws. Meanwhile, the straws can provide good ventilation as well.
Prototype - Processes Before making making the final prototype, we have tried many different ways to connect the straws, make expandable bones and make the skin. The first two photos show how the straws are joined with invisible string and the way that it expands. The third photo shows the demonstration of skin with straws connected by string.
1. create the main frame with wires covered by straws. 2. add all the needed ribs to form the bone structure. 3. sticks the thinnest strews at the most bottom part of the structure as the skin.
4. stitch white and blue straws at the top. 5. straws are stitched with a gradient to create dynamic feeling. 6. place in the vertical straws in the lower bottom part of the structure.
Prototype The final prototype showcases the whole bone structure with a full skin in first column and half skin in second column. These two columns can best showcase the personal space created by the sleeping pod as head is covered in this area. The bone structure is strengthened by wire and covered by cut straws. All the straws are fixed with invisible strings to allow movement when changing the shape/size of the structure. The size of the sleeping pod can be adjusted according to the sleeping positions.
For the skin, straws at the side and top are placed vertically to allow better ventilation and light penetration. The bottom part of the structure is covered by vertical expandable straws to allow the changes of height and size. The most bottom part is covered by thinner straws to lower the transparency and increase privacy inside the sleeping pod.
Testing Effects
The sleeping pod aims to provide a changeable sizes for different sleeping positions, i.e. sleeping on two arms, sleeping with one arm stretching out and sleeping with head supported by hand. The prototype shows that the person can be fully covered within the sleeping pod; the shape of it is changeable and flexible enough for different position. The skin which covers the user can provide a personal space for her to rest. Yet, the structure may not be rigid enough as the skin with straws are heavier than the bones, the structure may collapse when changing the shape. In order to be strong enough to support the structure, materials and structure of bones can be further explored in the next stage.
Testing Effects
Top view from outside
Side view from outside
Side view from outside
Another two testing effects are the personal space, light and ventilation. Personal Space: Due to the positions and lengths of the vertical straws at the top and on the side, others can hardly look through the skin and see the user, it increase the privacy of it. At the side view, the vertical expandable straws right beside the user's face lower the transparency see from outside; but at the same time they allow user to see through the gaps and see what is happening outside. Light and ventilation: From the inside view, direct light from the top are blocked by the straws, yet soft light can still pass through the straws to create a cosy environment for nap. Hole within each straws and gaps in between the vertical straws allows good ventilation. The overall effect of the prototype are quite satisfactory; most of the requirements like lighting, ventilation and comfortability could be met, the skin even creates a better look than expected. However, structural problems like fixing the sleeping pod in a fixed position and the expandable function of the sleeping pod can be improved in the next stage.
Bottom view from inside