The exercise aims  to understand the various aspects of milling machine, the ability for it to make an architectural detail and to understand its constraints on design.  Focusing on the use of milling tools in order to get specific forms, the exercise was to design a hexagonal tile of size that would be tangential to the points given so as to create a seamless repetition of patterned designs thus the pattern should allow rain water to flow seamlessly in order for it to make its way out of the pattern.

Design:

The concept and the goal of the pattern is to create a seamless flow on organizing curvilinear lines, this is achieved  by the use of different levels of curvilinear pattern linked to each other, it is derived and inspired from a series of abstract patterns that were extracted to study water flow thus from diverse animal patterns seen on different kinds of animals and organisms. This pattern works as rainwater collector diverting excess water to a specific area when interconnected for the reason that each lines are levelled up to bottom, sloped gradient from higher centre of tile to the lower edges. Coming from the middle point of the tile, when channelled to each other it creates a slide through and through, so that water are collected into a specific area. The extruded lines also creates a rough surface that has the capability to trap dirt, for safety reason the pattern is designed as a non slip surface.

Process:

The process initiated various curvy linear lines within the hexagon and whereby understanding the flow patterns, further this lines arranged at different levels to get a clear idea of water flow, then with the help of 3d modelling various curves were examined and its flow were studied. This patterns were tested with the help of CAD-CAM stimulation and milling tools, giving a clear idea of actual formations. Hence a final prototype was derived through it and milling G-Code were exported. This G-codes were feuded in milling machine. The milling was done on 50mm Thick Styrofoam. Through intensive milling, a foam mould for casting tiles was produced. In order to cast a concrete tile the mould surface was finished with Vaseline so that the concrete won’t stick to the mould and multiple tiles can be produced through single mould. Further it was poured with concrete and dried for 12 hours. The tile was taken out from the mould and settled for another 12 hour in order that it is completely dried out. The process was repeated and multiple tiles were casted. The Vaseline on tiles was cleaned through water and finally tiles were dried and polished.

Renderings:

The idea was to create a structure that was deploy-able by unfolding and at the same time to imitate the flowers that open and close with the sun (nyctinasty).

This was done by using a ring at the base along which the joints slide to help close the open structure.

Two joints were used to create the structure above. The first kind of joint helps move the rods along the ring.  The second joint was to ensure two rods  in place to provide the pattern required. These joints were not fixed to allow different patterns along the two rods if needed. The curvatures of the rods help keep these joints in any required position.

The simple mechanism used allows the curved rods to move along the rings not only providing two, but numerous possibilities of creating openings along various points of the ring. The structure can be assembled and disassembled easily depending on the size of the base ring required. It could could also be developed to form the framing of a structure used for shelter. This could either be temporary or permanent.

NOTE: CLICK ON IMAGES BELOW TO ANIMATE

The project initiated with the pentagonal base-sides 30 cm (given). The very idea of understanding the properties of 3 mm thick plywood i.e bending, twisting, stretching etc through the joinery details. The pentagonal base is extruded (given) up-to specific height, which is then twisted in to clockwise and anticlockwise directions in order to determine the bending and twisting properties of wood. The bending curves are extracted from the twisted – extruded pentagon. These curves are further extruded by a triangular geometry to understand the carrying capacity of the base. These extruded triangles are then proliferated by series of planar triangles which act as ties for the extruded curve from the vertices of triangles. The base is proliferated with  more triangles allowing stability to the structure. As we go up the density is reduced to provide lighter structure whose only aim is to act as ties.In order to achieve the structure of height 2400 mm the strips are connected by lock and key joints which is clipped by ‘C’ joint in order to restrict the movement. The intersecting strip are connected by sliding joint and clipped in opposite directions controlling the diagonal movement.  The base triangles and strips are interconnected via lock and key joint to achieve more stability. Since the direction of each strip is distinctive , 90 unique  strips were fabricated and connect through joinery to produce a dynamic structure keeping in mind the material possibility.