Aeolian Erosion
Design Portfolio
Tom Jenkins
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Starting as a whole and conluding with dynamics In a search to find dynamic shapes for design proposals which are inspired by wind movement, starting as a whole and creating something new was the direction in which I was heading. Aeolian erosion is the process of sand particles passing over the face of organic rock and creating fluid shapes within a landscape. These forms are known as Yardangs and they would create the basis of my design project, looking specifically at the ideas of shelter and exposure and how it could create different social experiences within a scheme.
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Physical Experiments
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Using modelling Plasticine to create the rationalised volume of a cube I mimicked the natural process of erosion, showing 8 simple stages where each form develops its own unique structure you could start to imagine how the space could be occupied or experienced.
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In order to achieve the natural forms in the most realistic manor I designed a wind tunnel which would speed up the process of erosion from millions of years to a couple of minutes and leave a final shape which could be developed into a possible dwelling space.
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Materiality
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The shot to the left is the internal view of a sand blasting machine after the process was complete; it proved to be the most successful experiment and was the closest outcome to the real thing.
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Sand Blasting took form finding to the next level putting materiality into my design giving previous thoughts and ideas an essence and tactility in which it lacked before. I became interested in rough and smooth areas on facades, areas of exposure and areas of shelter. Using three rocks spurred on ideas of multi building systems and how they relate to each other, suddenly housing complexes became inherited into my thoughts.
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3D modeling process
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I moved on to exploring the geometrics of Yardangs using 3 D design, the above shots are rendered, which shows the overall outlook of how it could be developed. I personally prefer the wired frames; they achieve ideas of layering and dynamics and suggest possible fluid geodesic strtures.
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Erosion causing a hollowing of the rock creating a space of shelter
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P r a x i s M o d e l
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I took it back to basic when exploring laser cutting and 3d design, starting with a simple form to see what could be created. This kept options open and gave way for thoughts of inhabitation. (image to the left, interlocking X and Y fragments)
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The final outcome captured the essence of a yardangesque landscape, using interlocking sections created a rationalised modular which suggest space for dwellings, for roof top gardens and for outdoor social space. The shape represents a fluid dynamic continuum which has been cultured by the process of Aeolian erosion
Tom Jenkins