Inspired by the Indian traditional folk art know as rangoli. The tile represents one of the many designs/patterns of the rangoli art.Rangoli is generally made during the Indian festivals in the living rooms and courtyards floors. They are meant to be scared welcoming areas for the Hindu deties.These ancient symbols have been passed down through the ages from each  generation to the next, keeping both art form and tradition alive. The purpose of rangoli is decoration and it is thought to bring luck.design depictions may also vary as they reflect traditions, folklore and practices that are unique to each area.

The main aim was to replicate, transform and abstract the rangoli design to the tile and create a floral pattern which also helps in smooth flow of water over the tile. The floral patterns act as channels facilitating the flow of water. While rangoli in India is done with rice flour, flower petals and colored water, here it is translated in the form of a concrete tile.

The design is very simple and is formed with collaborations/tessellations of hexagon. It saves time and is very efficient with the milling process. The flowers connect with other tiles in similar way, one flower connects with the other and water flows from one tile to another. Thus creating a simple floral geometry.

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

The central theme of the project was to create a structure that arose from a flat plane into a three-dimensional object while challenging the properties of the materials used.

The uniqueness of the structure lies in the individual strips that lift from the flat surface, requiring no joints hence forming smooth curves.

The structure evolved over time to its final result where the support members were shifted from the exterior to the interior. Also a few curves were detached from the end strips in order to break the monotony of the overall structure.

Furthermore the strips created evolved from being just horizontal strips to multi directional curves using the laser cutter to our advantage.

Although the bending was done against the grains of the wood we were able to achieve the required result by laser cutters precision to create small perforations onto the surface.

To allow further bending of the wood, it was bent while wet. The inner structure was then fitted to hold the bend in place.

Through this process, it was possible to bend the two strips to achieve a gap of more than 15cm between them. Various distances have been used along the entire model that makes the overall structure more dynamic.

Additionally as the whole board was used to create the structure not much waste was generated from the process.

THE PROCESS:

1. Laser cut the perforations perpendicular to the curve required.
2. Wet the board for about 2minutes either by spraying or soaking (both methods were tried and gave positive results)
3. Bend the curve to the distance required and hold in place for a few seconds. Insert the central structure that would hold the bend while the structure dries and also as as the spine of the model.

Group 12 |  Akanksha Kargwal - Mamta Srinivas - Irina Shaklova