Procedure:
READ THE ENTIRE PROCEDURE AND RULES FIRST
1. Select an unused unit of acrylic to modify.
2. Heat the acrylic strip for 30-45 seconds with the heat gun, or until it is somewhat flexible.
3. Using the peg board as a tool to make controlled curves, bend the acrylic strip into a shape that will fit onto the existing sculpture in such a way that it sits in the notches of at least two different pieces of acrylic below it. (It is likely that heat could need to be applied several times during this process)
4. After allowing the piece to cool just enough to hold its shape, attach the piece (WITH THE NOTCHES FACING UP) in the notches of at least two different strips on the level below.
Rules:
1. The Z-axis of the acrylic strip must remain vertical so that the notches can be utilized for the next level. (NO TWISTING)
2. Each level of the sculpture should have 4 PIECES that are placed in a way that MAINTAINS SCULPTURES STABILITY7.
3. Each participant can form a maximum of 2 pieces of acrylic.
Reaction:
The Algorithm produced results similar to what I expected, however I did not anticipate the time that it would take a person to complete the deformation of each unit in a way that would fit onto the existing piece. The time constraint caused the units to be made quickly so that many of them did not fit into place correctly and they failed to stay level, making the completion of the following levels very difficult. That being said the algorithm and the design machine worked as I expected to produce an overall compositions of individual units that were deformed based on individual interpretation.
I liked the prefabricated units. These can be applied to architecture as circulations which forms the building. Especially because these are all located in same levels. Did you make the units in laser cutter??
ReplyDeleteThe most compelling part about his project is that the plastic strips vary in shape depending on how long they were exposed to heat. Depending on how each student ‘heat-gunned’ the pieces, the shape of the final form of the sculpture is totally unpredictable.
ReplyDeleteWhat is unique about the process is that it didn't require adhesives or fasteners to make the sculpture stand up and support itself.
What it informs us about architecture is that sometimes you need to have a constant variable when you design. In the case of this project, you know that the sculpture needs to be built vertically and it will continue to grow in the Z direction for the entirety of the procedure. This gives the designer some sense of how the project could unfold.
The project as a whole I felt is very interesting. There was a wide range for who ever was working with the design machine to be creative by twisting the plexi in which ever direction they wanted to.
ReplyDeleteWhat I felt is unique about the process was that every one stayed within the boundary of the base, no one started to move a few pieces drastically over the edge.
The project informs me about architecture by showing me a sense of space, in one area, created by more then one person.
This project was very compelling because of the ability of the machine to shape the acrylic strips. The machine and the material choice gave a constraint on what you can do to only several patterns. Although when it is assembled it appears to be a random sequence of bent shapes but rather it is more controlled and limited. This process informs us about a type of modular process that can happen in architecture. It allows us to shape and form a uniform material to something that can be seemingly unique but simple.
ReplyDelete1. Because of the beautiful product, this is complelling.
ReplyDelete2. The Unique thing is the use of the transparent material.
3. I can learn how easily I can use the plastic in design, because it's easy to transform.
The compelling part about the project is that not only are you conforming the plexi around the design in any old fashion but you would have to take in consideration the placement of the piece before it is sculpted so that the existing structural members would create a tight lock with your new piece.
ReplyDeleteThe uniqueness about the process was not found in the rules set but the design (Mercer) but it was found in the rules and language set by the other student designers and that your next move responds uniquely to their previous ones.
This project informs us that architecture isn’t made from just one person. It is about a collaboration of different people, one responding to another to create a final work or architecture/art.