We started the design with the “Indian Jali” (Lattice Screen) as our inspiration. The Jali is a perforated stone screen consisting of intricate ornamental work using complex geometrical shapes and connections.

We started playing around with different geometrical shapes on a 2D plane. Various juxtapositions of basic geometric shapes were used to create a complex pattern. Keeping the water flow in mind, we further developed the design into an organic one.

The concept of a Jali and the river were merged to form the final piece. The negative of the screens were used for the solid surface and the positive was used for the water channels.

The design was generated keeping just one tile in mind rather than a whole, reason being- to not have a pre-defined pattern and maintaining a sense of mystery. The organic fluidity of the plane further enabled us to achieved the irregular spatial pattern.

The aim of this exercise was to create a kinetic structure with rotational movement with minimal number of 3d printed joints. It is a free standing structure made up of 20 2mm fiberglass rods, through two 3D printed perforated rings of dia..
The form resembles a conical cylinder which when rotated at different angles form different shapes. The form can also be on par with a whirling dervish which dances and rotates to is own tunes so as the structure which rotates, twists and turns to its capabilities.it is a portable structure and facilitates movement in x and y direction independent of the board it is fixed to. The bending properties of the fiber rod is utilized to the maximum resulting in various twists and turns.it is fixed to the board by laser cutting the board in the shape of the perforated ring.

The 3d printed ring has holes on the top in the shape of a flower and also holes on the sides at 30/60 degree which facilitates the angular twists and movements. The entire structure is centrally supported by vertical rods which helps the form to collapse. The end result of collapsing/bending is a floral pattern symbolizing a flower. The structure can be pushed and twisted to the extreme resulting in various complex shapes. The structure works of the simple mechanism of pushing and twisting.

http://youtu.be/V3mn_wL5ndY

Finger-Lock was born in a spontaneous reaction by one of our group members. While he was trying to yawn, Mohamad interlocked his fingers to create a form we built-on!!

This 2 finger-sides piece was meant to be created with maximum tangibility and malleability, and for these reasons the shape was adjusted many times and different techniques were tested. The bend form of the 2 finger-sides element give it a central stability, as well a more flexibility in hinging with surrounded neighbor pieces.

Process: [Click to view Video ]

1. The Spark / Idea
2. Drafting / 2D Drawing
3. Laser Cutting
4. Water Spraying
5. Bending
6. Drying
7. Clipping

The final result of the Finger-Lock model is a sculpted form of stacked inter-locked elements that are aesthetically assembled together to give a more photogenic-camera friendly robot!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Mohamad Yassin |  Maureen Estrella  |  Aditya Kadabi