Is it possible to create shape with light? Can a hexagonal grid be disguised by casting light upon its tiles? This questions where the main drivers behind the Bermuda Tile concept. Creating a tile that at a simple glance would show little relief yet once was casted on it, a strong relief would be revealed and a completely different pattern would arise.

To achieve this with 7mm profiling was more difficult  than expected, since shadows are not as long and defined as desired. Given the case, the design set of to be done with simple, long lines that would cast long defined shadows, complimented by smaller, less defined sub-shadows. The triangle was selected as the primitive for both hard and soft shadows. By drawing 3 concentric triangles (out of three opposite vertices) and then displacing them and tilting them with different rotation angles. Afterwards, the resulting surfaces between them and with the borders where further triangulated  to create the softer shadows. This smaller triangles got the needed tilt by the joining of its vertices with the main triangles and boundaries.

Finally, the tile was run through Rhino Cam using two 12mm pens carving out the main geometry and then doing a parallel finishing for the details to come out. The milling, mold, and casting procedures followed and finally polishing the pieces for further detail exposure.

Rhino Cam Simulation

3D Model

The primary goal was to design a kinetic structure that is supported by crossing elements of the same material to each other. This ultimately created a self supported free standing structure with the help of crossing components.

We created several axes by grouping rods together to make the flexible components more durable. To achieve a durable structure that would support itself, we used two three-pieced rods and one four-piece rod. We joined all of these elements with by designing 3d printed joints.

There is a one-hole joint, three-hole joint and a four hole joint. Using the laser cutter helped us attach the joints to the board precisely.

1st geometrical moment

2nd geometrical moment

.gif picture showing the movement of the structure (press on it)

Group 13

Asif Rahman

Sinem Samanci

Irina Shaklova

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