Whirlpool – a swirling body of water produced by the meeting of opposing currents.

Design objectives :

|| elegance

|| simplicity of the form

|| resemblance of the Gaudi’s Panton tile formal language

The “topographical” character of the tile allows for the visual and formal continuity within an assembly of an individual piece and facilitates channeling of the water through the surface of a single unit onto the neighboring units.

With the water flow being one of the dominant aspects of our design several different fluid forms have been tested with the help of a “rheotomic curves” grasshopper script, which in turn lead to the most efficient shape that closely resembles the natural phenomenon of a whirlpool.

Several convergence points have been set to incorporate the assignment constraints related to the tile edge condition, which in turn directed us towards the gradual simplification of the design and the reduction of the curve count, which increased the intensity of the water flow through the surface of the tile. The use of RhinoCam and the combination of several Milling technics allowed for the refined radial engraving finish as well as high precision of the concrete casting process.

 Group 1 attempted to create a combination between dynamic and fixed joints to create a zipper like joints that moves on a horizontal axis . With this movement of the joints , the tension fiberglass cables changes in form to create alternation of forms and directions . 4 different Kind of logic in Joints  created to gain more  flexibility in movement on all dimensions .

The four kinds of joints included 2 dynamic , 1 fixed and 1 semi dynamic . Accordionic plastic peaces were added after the opening where made to form the track of the sliding joints . More over the other solid joint was fixed on the board where the last joint is flying in the air . The remarkable thing of this project is the use of fablab through two machines ; The laser cutter machine as well as the 3rd printing with the use of external materials like aluminum rails to fix the joints and create this joint mobility .

Done by :  Michele Braidy – Alejandro Martinez del Campo – Mohamad Yassin

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