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 our notion is to create the state which the model is able to be opened and closed. Have a look at our joints, they are the simplest shape fomed likes circle which there are several holes on it. By these, the rods could be formed into the spiral column, the advantage of the form, it could be changed the form into defferent states by rotating the joint. Firstly, move the joint along the colume shape we created and then push it towards the two seperated joints we fixed on the ground. In this state, the structure will display with fan-shaped. Secondly, having rotating the joint, the middile area will be opened likes the shell movement.

Our tower has finally been erected!

Our series of crosses stacked up on top of each other are successfully interlocking through a series of bending profiles and locking joints. From the beginning of the design process we placed a heavy emphasis on maximising our material sheets, whilst minimising cut times and wasted material. We tested many locking configurations with respect to cut sizes, experimentation with bending, and identifying stable forces. As each cross interlocks with the cross below it, two side of each face bend in opposite directions to accommodate for the insertion of the flat piece slits cut into it. We started at a width of 19cm at the bottom, and tapered the structure up to 8cm at the top. The connection to the base was solved by creating an orthogonal grid which allows the cross to anchor into securely. The structure reaches a total height of 3.35 metres!

Renata de Castro Lotto – Ramin Shambayati – Richard Aoun