When designing the pattern for our tile, we examined the behaviour of raindrops, and the effect they have when hitting the tiles of Barcelona.

Creating ripples in the concrete, we duplicated the intricate patterns of the raindrops within our design. These patterns flow through the four tiles that we created. Using a variety of larger and smaller scale curves, these spirals join together to form one continuous pattern.

This liquid surface was then imported into RhinoCam where it was adapted to the form and dimensions of the tile. RhinoCam was used in order to create the spiral effect on the tiles surface.

Once this stage was complete, the milling process begun. From the produced mould, we then filled it concrete and allowed it to dry, resulting in four intricate tiles.

In the final process, we experimented with various ways to polish the tile by applying wax, oil, polish and a brush. How ever it was through these tests that we discovered the harshness of the brush, which ultimately warped and concealed the spirals on the surface.

When connected, the swirls on each individual tile join, in order to create the allusion of ripples with in the ground.

In the design process we aimed to experiment with different types of assembly. Each rode finishes with a sphere which arrives to a central assembly point.

The “gathering” joint’s outline is shaped in a way to have all the spheres inserted and let them move in all directions. Additionally, underneath the board (standing on 2cm blocks) there are wheeled-joints allowing the rods to move on the surface. The rails cut in the board are keeping the pipes in the assigned tracks.

The structure changes from a tightly angled curves with a lot of tension and stiffness to more loose hyperbolical shapes, which rigidity is kept because of a refined twist at the base.

The exercise was to design a vertical structure consisting of different kinds of connections with wood material. Our goal was to use the necessary number of vertical joints that accentuate the curvy figure of our structure… and of course, aim higher!

Our first prototype was to assemble one module (composed of 4 identical pieces). Using the interlocking technique we connected the modules with horizontal joints. With the use of the bending technique, we connected vertically the other set of modules. The structure was simple, very stable and had the possibility of reaching 3 meters.

We decided to push the connections further, and experiment with the material.

Instead of 4 units, we now used 5, and instead of horizontal connections, vertical ones were replaced, giving the structure a more minimalistic approach.

The organization of the joints along a 360 degrees angle substituted the use of any further structural elements for stability.

After experimenting with the profile of each strip, the joints enabled the exaggeration of the curves and hence magnifying the bloom effect with the possibility of going higher.

The evolution from horizontal to vertical joints

The procedure: heating and wetting of wood, bending, and intertwining

Group members: Hristo Kovachev, Maria Laura Cerda, Rasha Sukkarieh