S6 - EXPERIMENTAL STRUCTURES

Convergent Curves

lokman.lee — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:04:43 +0000

Starting with folding three curves converging into one points, the project started with a fan-shape prototype with 3 leaves each. This prototype is closed to a triangular structure which therefore could be replicated continuously to infinitely.
The second part of the study was to use 3D simulation tools to translate the 3D structure into a plane surface which could be handled by CNC machines.

Folding Curves

lana.awad — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:03:07 +0000

This project was an investigation into the prototyping and fabrication of a curved fold component system.

The initial design began with a simple curved fold in paper, which then evolved according to issues posed by the arrangement of these components, the limitations of the robotic folding machinery, and additionally the limitations of the final material, steel.

Digital and physical simulations in grasshopper and by hand also provided insight into the bending potential of the material, influencing the final design.

The components link to each other vertically through the use of notches and are supported through bolts into the formwork. The supporting formwork for the arrangement of these components relied on a diagonal scaffolding in order to keep the formwork hidden.

On the final day, this design was selected to be fabricated and assembled in real scale steel components. The final production of this selected project was shared by all the students in the workshop.

Co-ordinate Panel

marilena.georgantzi — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 23:28:31 +0000

The Co-ordinate Panel was designed following the principles of the robotic forming processes, implemented by the RoboFold team. Being inspired by new technology in manufacture and design, it was conceived the first day of the workshop and developed till the last day of it. The project was first presented in a draft paper model, then its folding process was simulated using Kangaroo plug-in in Grasshopper.

Finally the last day a 1:1 scale model of an array of the panels was built. It is composed of two identical parts which have three different screw places.

This allows a variety of sizes of the panel and a variety of light’s penetration. Summing up , this versatile size leads to a more flexible approach to facade’s design.

Off-centered continuous curves

diana.leon — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 12:56:10 +0000

The aim of this workshop was the experimentation of primary materials as metal in order to design structures. Also, it explored the boundaries between the digital design and the physical fabrication. For this, we start working with paper models to explore the design possibilities of the metal panel.

The first day, all students made paper designs.

The second day, the tutor Gregory Epps, selected designs that had further exploration opportunities.

Groups of two people started working the physical model in rhino and grasshopper. Then other groups were made with the designs that were able to work with the digital process of the robot folder in grasshopper.

The off-centered continuous curves was the design that worked with curves along the surface which gave us the possibility to study different capabilities of bending the material in both, physical and digital process.

Then the process continued with digital a fabrication explorations.

Assembled structure.

The design required an adjustment in order to work with the robotfolder script

The concept was the same, just the fabrication process changed.

Final piece performance