WIND ARCHITECTURE JOURNAL_02 WOON KHAI WONG 772646
i_PROJECT SUMMARY The aim of this project is to explore origami or folding technique to create the building fabric for inflatables. Origami is mostly associated with paper and it is well known for creating various forms and shapes from a flat surface.My interest is in using simple fabric manipulation methods and simulate the origami pattern using textiles to create inflatables.
ORIGAMI INFLATABLES
1.0_DESIGN STATEMENT 1.1_State of the Art Studio Samira Boon has managed to convert the paper-folding knowledge into digital weaving to produce self-folding fabric that can be easily deployed into folded structure. By introducing different binding techniques with digital aided tools, Samira was able to combine the characteristics of rigid and flexible into her fabrics which results in compact when it is folded yet has the spatial characteristics when it is unfold open.
(Right & Next page) Samira Boon, archi-fold Part of exhibition at Dutch Textile Museum
Expanding from her previous work “super folds�, Samira Boon created a larger scale of origami inspired fabric that can be utilised for architectural scale. Besides having spatial and structural characteristics, it can also incorporate various intelligent properties to adapt to the surroundings such as acoustics, light sensitive, heat sensitive, etc.
1.2_Needs Many examples of inflatables have smooth surface after inflation in order to achieve maximum volume using minimum surface area of a material. Besides achieving spatial characteristics, designers use various colours and forms to manipulate the appearance and aesthetics of inflatables.
(Above) Samira Boon, archi-fold Part of exhibition at Dutch Textile Museum
The idea of having tangible aspect on the surface of inflatables inspired the project of using fabric manipulation method to create tactile patterns to enhance user experience. Various pattern can be integrated to create different feel and touching experience for users.
(Above) Samira Boon, wall weaves Part of exhibition at Dutch Textile Museum
1.3_Research Questions How to improve and achieve tangible aspect on the surface of inflatables? What fabric manipulation method is suitable to generate pattern on the fabric surface? Smocking? Tucking? Quilting? What pattern is suitable to applied across various shapes of surface and also easy to adapt different form? What are the possible outcome if fabric manipulation combines with digital computation in order to generate patterns for the surface?
1.4_Criteria for assessment Suitability of method used to achieve the design goal. Difficulty of fabric manipulation method to achieve in architectural scale. Pattern generating skills
(Right & Next page) Samira Boon, super fold Part of exhibition at Dutch Textile Museum
2.0_PROPOSAL 2.1_Form of prototype Simple bell shape is used to create the building fabric of the inflatable. Honeycomb pattern is combined with the fabric to create the final form of the inflatable.
Above: Idea formation of prototype for Origami Inflatable.
2.2_Fabrication Smocking is a type of embroidery technique that is used to gather fabric so it can stretch. While stitching a smocking design, tension on the thread gather the pleats closer, increasing the amount of fabric needed, results in a shrinking or stretching effect when pulled on sides of the fabric. A honeycomb pattern is commonly used in dress, sleeves or any decorative purposes.
Top: Honeycomb pattern on the surface of inflatable . Above: Instructions to create rows of honeycomb stitches. (Wolff 1996)
Instructions: i. draw a grid pattern of 25mm x 25mm on the wrong side of the cut-out fabric. ii. gather fabric and make a crease fold on the line. iii. sew the fabric at the intersection of two lines with a sewing machine. iv. repeat steps i to iii at one interval points and alternating points of interval lines to create a pattern of honeycomb on the surface of the fabric.
Above: Still images demonstrating honeycomb pattern smocking using a sewing machine
2.3_Performance Overall, the object has successfully inflated and stretchable to its original state. However, some of the stitches fell apart after inflation which results in some of incomplete honeycomb pattern at certain areas. Stitches on more than two pleat surfaces (around opening) has fallen out due to tension of the thread during inflation
Before inflation
After inflation
(Left) Comparison of the object before and after inflation, showing stretching quality of fabric
2.4_Significance and Innovation Surface of the inflatable can be tangible or tactile through fabric manipulation technique. By using smocking technique, the creases and folds of the honeycomb pattern on the fabric can be touch and feel; enhancing user experience. The fabric is able to inflate and stretch with simple intervention such as smocking technique; adding various characteristics to a flat surface that can be inflate and unfold into interesting form and space.
(Right) Alexandra Verschueren, angular yet soft, concertina textured cloak inspired by origami
2.5_Suggestion for Improvement To further develop this project, - elastic thread and bands can be used to increase the stretching characteristics. - irregular grid and depth of pleats can be customised to achieve various forms and patterns. - different smocking techniques can be explored to achieve different patterns and effects. - different materials with higher transparency can be incorporated into the design to allow better visibility.
(Left) Junya Watanabe, origami influenced garments in the Junya Watanabe Autumn Winter 2015 collection performed at Paris Fashion Week.
3.0_FEASIBILITY 3.1_Logistics Materials: Equipment: Space: Labour:
Ripstop Nylon (translucent) Clear Vinyl (transparent), elastic thread / bands Sewing machine, mechanical fan Grimshaw Architects workshop 4 to 5 people
3.2_Budget Clear Vinyl - $14.50 per metre (Bunnings Warehouse) Ripstop Nylon – $8.99 per metre (Spotlight) 1:100 scaled model required 1.2m x 0.6m of fabric. 1:1 full size model will need 120m x 60m of fabric approximately depending on the final form of the inflatable. 3.3_Schedule Current 1:100 scaled down model require 2 hours to complete. 1:1 model would require 20 hours in total for a person to complete the pattern. Total number of hours required will depends on the final form of the inflatable and the difficulty of the form proposed to fit into the honeycomb pattern.
4.0_ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES & IMPACT 4.1_Key Achievement i. Prototyping as a method of design for performance-oriented design. ii. Using knowledge of kite making and various research to produce a temporary installation of an inflatable. iii. Generate models using algorithmic geometry and parameters for the inflatable. iv. Able to use fabric manipulation technique to change the properties of a fabric for example adding stretching characteristics to existing fabric. v. Storytelling through still image photography and films.
4.2_Forms of Dissemination i. Temporary installation in public space ii. Architectural showcase or exhibition iii. Competitions iv. Public and social medias
5.0_REFERENCES 1.0 DESIGN STATEMENT 1. S.Boon, “archi folds”, Samira Boon [website], 18 January 2016, <http://samiraboon.com/2016/01/18/archi-folds/>, accessed 4 September 2016. 2. S.Boon, “super folds”, Samira Boon [website],16 November 2014, <http://samiraboon.com/2014/11/16/super-folds/>, accessed 4 September 2016. 3. S.Boon, “wall weaves”, Samira Boon [website], 28 July 2010, <http://samiraboon.com/2010/07/28/wall-weaves/>, accessed 4 September 2016. 2.0 PROPOSAL 1. C. Wolff, “ The Art of Manipulating Fabric”, 1996, Krause Publications, Wisconsin, USA, pg. 127 2. N.Gibson, “Origami Cloak”, Monster-munch [website], 13 October 2009, <http://www.monster-munch.com/origami-cloak/>, accessed 4 September 2016. 3. D.Howarth, “Junya Watanabe folds textiles into mathematical patterns for Autumn Winter 2015”, dezeen magazine [website], 10 March 2015, <http://www.dezeen. com/2015/03/10/junya-watanabe-aw15-paris-fashion-weekpleats-folds-mathematical-patterns/>, accessed 4 September 2016.