foamy pictures

We have done two partial tests in the CNC, equivalent to a beer for each one. Tested both transparency and endmills, we now have explored some fundamental parameters for the further development of the moke-up model for our modular (modular-parametric, parametric-modular) cealing. The built models made us realize the importance of the lines drawn by the mill, considering the fact that the surfaces can be defined by curves. We will take this fact into account when wrapping up the final script.  The two tests show a certain tendency to carve too thin sections in unexpected areas of the model, where the material easily breaks so that we will need to fix the minimum thickness for a propper transparency effect to be achieved.

Foamy…

Having taken into account different materials, fabrication techniques and extremely pragmatic programatic constraints, we will approach design from an exploration point of view. We will build a parametric modular cealing.

Lighting, aircon and sprinklers will be drivers for creating patterning densities and develop some especific conditions which could theoretically shift the project in many different directions, according to boundary conditions and/or local circumstances.

Foamy porosity, foamy lightness, foamy materiality, foamy performance… what else can you ask for?

Ignacio senra, Homework week 1

Option Explicit
‘Script written by mark.bearak
‘Script copyrighted by dtls.Architecture
‘Script version Tuesday, October 21, 2008 1:08:31 PM
‘Script modified by Ignacio Senra

Call Main()
Sub Main()
 Dim arrPlane, i, j, strCrv(), strInnerCrv(), strSrf1, strSrf2, arrLftSrf1, arrLftSrf2, arrLftSrf3
 For j = 0 To 5
  For i = 0 To 10
   ReDim Preserve strCrv(i)
   ReDim Preserve strInnerCrv(i)
   arrPlane = Rhino.PlaneFromPoints (array(0,j*25,i*(j+1)), array(1,j*25,i*(j+1)), array(0,j*25+1,i*(j+1)))
   If i < j+2 Then
    strCrv(i) = Rhino.AddCircle (arrPlane, 10.0)
    strInnerCrv(i) = Rhino.AddCircle (arrPlane, 9.0)
    If i = 0 Then
     Call rhino.MoveObject (strInnerCrv(i),array(0,0,0),array(0,0,1))
    End If
   Else
    strCrv(i) = Rhino.AddCircle (arrPlane, 30/(i+0.1))
    strInnerCrv(i) = Rhino.AddCircle (arrPlane, 25/(i+0.1))
   End If
   If i > 0 Then
    Call rhino. MoveObject (strCrv(i),array(0,0,0), array(0,i*i/5,0))
    Call rhino. MoveObject (strInnerCrv(i),array(0,0,0), array(0,i*i/5,0))
   End If
   If i = j Then
    Call rhino. RotateObject (strCrv(i),array(0,0,0), -5)
    Call rhino. RotateObject (strInnerCrv(i),array(0,0,0), -5)
   End If
   If i = 0 Then
    strSrf1 = Rhino.AddPlanarSrf (strCrv)
    strSrf2 = Rhino.AddPlanarSrf (strInnerCrv)
   End If
   If i = 10 Then
    arrLftSrf1 = Rhino.AddLoftSrf (array(strCrv(i),strInnerCrv(i)))
   End If
  Next
  arrLftSrf2 = Rhino.AddLoftSrf (strCrv,,,1)
  arrLftSrf3 = Rhino.AddLoftSrf (strInnerCrv,,,1)
  Call Rhino.JoinSurfaces (array(arrLftSrf1(0),arrLftSrf2(0),arrLftSrf3(0),strsrf1(0),strsrf2(0)),True)
  Call Rhino.deleteobjects (strCrv)
  Call Rhino.DeleteObjects (strInnerCrv)
 Next
End Sub

Project References

Five examples showing five different realizations of parametric walls (in fact, only half of them have been realized, the others can be considered as wishes or visions). We aim to create a fully operational mocke-up model of a parametric wall, whereby various conditions will be taken into account: relation to environmental conditions (the sooo long discussed and overused input) ,possible interactions with the user or users and functionality.

We have discussed several options to explore the materialization of the final product: while aiming for a reduced budget, optimization in results is a key point of the design. Foam, chipboard and other “quick and dirty” materials could be appropiate for these goals (either to build components themselves or to be applied onto them, operating as molds). Nevertheless we are open to explore several possibilities during future iterations throughout the process.