Work Samples Wenxin Chen wenxinc@design.upenn.edu Mob:(217)-417-4536 PennDesign University of Pennsylvania Dept of Architecture
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Wobbly Bubbly
Fall 2014
Plaster’s plasticity combines with inflatability of balloon produced this special unit that we used for aggregation. Each unit was built by applying a thin layer of wet plaster onto an inflated balloon. When the plaster dries the balloon was cut and removed, leaving a thin shell of plaster. The inside of the units was colored for playful effects, attracting people to look into the unit and observe the texture connection of the pavilion.
Wobbly Bubbly
Wobbly Bubbly
Each balloon we made was unique. Here I selected a few from 500+ balloons. And categorized them into thin shell, medium shell and thick shell.
The beauty of this installation lies in the nature that massive structure is composed by units that seemed so thin and vulnerable. The contrast between the breakable nature of the unit and its maximum limit of stength was amazing. The tension this pavilion brought into the space was magnificent, where people would walk around the installation, gently touch ed the surface while holding a fear that the delicate shells would collapse. In fact, half of the units were times stronger than the other ones. The units we used for foundation level were coated with several layers of concrete and coated a layer of rockite on the inside. The ones we used on the top were super delicate and took great caution to transfer and build without breaking them. The final installation resembles some feature of a Romanesque arch in the way the units were stacked. The thin layers of plater were almost translucent under light and brought a calm atmosphere to the overall appearance.
These balloons have thicker shells and rougher surface. That is because we double dipped the balloon into plaster after its dried from the first time.
Critic:
Michael Loverich
Team:
Wenxin Chen Yihui Gan Hardeep Gujral Matt Mayberry In some cases, the plaster does not fully cover the balloon and left “holes” on at the end.
University of Pennsylvania
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Wobbly Bubbly
Wobbly Bubbly
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Wobbly Bubbly
Wobbly Bubbly
A normal balloon
Coated with wet plaster
Plaster dries
This model has three layers:rockite on the inside, plaster as the shell and wax covered on the exterior.
In order to speed up the making process, we managed to hang multiple plaster balloons at one time to dry while we are making more.
Remove the balloon
Coat the inside with Rockite
The units we used for the foundation level were coated with rockite from the inside.
We managed to plaster a giant balloon, but it failed to stay in place when we poped the balloon. Neon Orange was used for coloring the inside of the balloons.
The units we used for the middle part of the structure are medium in thickness.
The units we used for the top part of the structure are the lightest.
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Some units’ shells were too thin and easy to break. They could not be used for the structure.
We made more than 500 balloons for the final model! 9
Lost [Pleat] Formwork
Lost [Pleat] Formwork
Spring 2014
The pleating of fabric in a systematic manner, developing intricate tectonics with its respective geometric and material relationships. Through the exploration of fabric materiality and folding techniques, intricate pleating patterns were further analyzed by way of concrete casting. Following on these results, by observing these fabric networks and their alterations in geometry, tension, and latitudes, there begins to be a realization of structural identity and topological expression. By experimenting with pleating tectonics and yielding different results due to the fabric expansion and weaving density, some of the critical findings were the detailed forms created by the concrete being filled in between molds, and the stretched patters that resulted from the weight of the construction medium. For a few cases, some stitching points were attached to the top of the mold with threads to prevent certain points of the canvas from sinking down by the weight of concrete, and thus, furthering our research by transforming the typology of the surface while following a controlled pattern system.
Critic:
Brian Vesley
Team:
Wenxin Chen Jorge Antunez Shicheng Shen
University of Illinois,Urbana-Champaign
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Lost [Pleat] Formwork
Lost [Pleat] Formwork
I tried to simulate the physical deformation applied to the surface by running the kangaroo program. As you can see the anchored points prevent the mesh from deforming and determine the stretching pattern on the surface. By moving the anchor points along the X-axis, I simulate how stitching took place on the fabric. As two points are brought closer, the part in the middle concaves and folds into a vault shape.
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Lost [Pleat] Formwork
Lost [Pleat] Formwork
In terms of construction, we apply this kind of fabric formwork to the renowned and exemplary Domino System, where the textured floor plates were supported by structural walls. The goal is to establish versatilities to traditional domino-system construction and bring new aesthetic and technical values to ordinary architecture with affordable construction techniques.
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Institute of Glass Research
Institute of Glass Research
IFall2013
Critic: Camden Greenlee Team:
Wenxin Chen
University of Illinois, Urbana-Changpaign 16
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Institute of Glass Research
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
2:00 PM
The angle of rotation is proportional to the distance from the sun. The closer the sun is , the bigger the opening will be. During different times of the day, the screen opens and closes according to the intensity of sunlight. Thus the natural interior lighting is kept at a constant level.
Define Mass
Separate
Southern Exposure
Adaptive Screen System
Program Layout
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Deployable Structure
Critic:
MohammedAl-Khayer
Team:
Wenxin Chen
University of Pennsylvania
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Deployable Structure
Spring 2015(in progress)
This exercise was aimed to understand how deployable strucutre works with the scissoring members. The design and construction of the installation required understanding of geometry and the ability to design connections for the structure to move smoothly.
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Sketch trip Spain
Critic:
Jack Kelly
Team:
Wenxin Chen
University of Illinois,Urbana-Champaign SAPV Versailles
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Sketch trip Spain
Spring 2013
This is a ten-day sketching trip through Seville, Cadiz and Granada. The goal was to observe the urban feature and to analyze the spatial relationship bewteen historical sites and modern city.
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