AADRL - WORKSHOP I

WORKSHOP I CHENDAN ZHANG

XIANGYU LIU

KEMAL ARDA ALKIN

MARIA LAURA BARRIOLA

MOSTAFA EL-SAYED

MATTER CONSTRAINTS

This project explores the extent to which polypropelene (a flat 0.7mm thick sheet material) can be submitted to deformations by bending and cutting techniques to generate free-standing geometries which by form work alongside each other.

The material constraints and fabrication limitations offer an excuse to address and investigate on component shapes which arise from several iterative processes and trials.

The workshop started with the construction of a sphere by means of one component. It quickly evolved to the search of how the behaviour of the material could affect the final outcome (3D ensemble) depending on its different states and configurations.

Throughout the works and with the aim of optimizing the result, specific forms and assemblage techniques have been found.

By upgrading and optimizing the component it is easier to find form-oriented results which can be manipulated depending on scale, angle and organization.

CONTENTS I. SPHERES II. COMPONENT III. FINAL MODEL

The opposite page displays the evolution of the component as different forms have been experimented with and more optimal configurations have finally been created.

The final arrangement is deployed on the uppermost line, were a simplification of previous components has been generated.

This configuration integrates both manipulability and assemblage which are the key elements to generate the final form.

I. SPHERES

SPHERE A

l: 2cm l: 8cm

l: 20cm

l: 18cm

SPHERE B

l: 8cm l: 8cm

l: 18cm

SPHERE C

Configurations of the component

l:8cm

this element has 12 holes which can be assembled alternately to create the sphere

configuration 1_9 holes

configurations of the component

configuration 2_6 holes

II. COMPONENT

PHASE I_COMPONENT

Through simple triangulation, bending and cutting of the material, interesting angle and form variations can be observed.

degree:60

degree: 30

degree:15

curvature

ASSEMBLY_ COMPONENT I

IMPROVED COMPONENT WITH LOCKING SYSTEM

l:10cm

l:10cm

This component is flexible but could only open up to one form_ when the angle is 90ยบ.

To improve this, a locking system was implemented in the component, whereby the angle at which the component could be seen was variable.

s3

s1

s2

s6

s4

s5

This component is flexible but could only open up to one form_ when the angle is 90ยบ.

To improve this, a locking system was implemented in the component, whereby the angle at which the component could be seen was variable.

GENERATING A SPHERE WITH THE COMPONENT

The sphere is arranged by the addition of components. Every hexagon is joined to other three hexagons. This creates a grid composed of pentagons and hexagons.

SURFACE CURVATURE

ANGLE VARIATION IN THE COMPONENT

angle:90º

angle:80º

angle:70º

angle:60º

angle:50º

angle:40º

angle:30º

angle:20º

angle:10º

The component has very limited angle variation, rendering it very difficult to vary the curvature. Several different configurations of the component were arranged, among them, the creation of surfaces by joining components and varying the internal angles

DOUBLE LAYER OF THE COMPONENT

Another line of investigation that was not taken to the end was creating a double layer of the component.

Through this the relation between components and curvatures was explored. As well as how the curvature of the connection could make it stronger.

Different configurations for the double layer attempt

SIMPLIFICATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF THE COMPONENT

l:5cm

ASSEMBLYING THE COMPONENT

l:1.8cm

s1

s2

s3

s4

s5

s6

s7

s8

l:2cm

An adjustable “belt” system is employed to CONTROL the component. It is composed of a radial strip with indentations every 10º that allow it to restrict, manipulate and control the movement of the component.

In this case, we have mainly focused on when the component is at 0º, 45º and 90120º due to the greater change in curvature and form.

COMPONENT

120ยบ

l:65mm

l:65mm

L:110mm angle_ 0ยบ all sides

l:65mm

L`: 120mm angle_ 45ยบ all sides

L``:135mm angle_ 120ยบ all sides

ADJUSTABLE ANGLE IN THE COMPONENT

position 1

position 2

position 3

10ยบ

angle:100ยบ 1. the components are attached to each other with nuts and screws, and the friction between the components also influences the curvature achieved

angle:45ยบ

angle:0 ยบ 2. The ADJUSTABLE BELT system has circular shape which allows it to be adjusted depending on the angle

The component is not only restricted to having all the internal angles of every side changed, one can selectively change whichever one is necessary.

By this it is possible to obtain isosceles and equilateral triangles, thus attaining ampler possibilities for the material and the form.

CATALOGUE OF COMPONENT ARRANGEMENTS

angle_0ยบ

component interior angle

three unit arrangement

four unit arrangement

five unit arrangement

six unit arrangement

angle_45ยบ

angle_75ยบ

COMPONENT CONFIGURATIONS

The components need to deform their shape for them to be able to join, giving this configuration more rigidity a nd strength.

n: nยบ of components: 4 angle: 75ยบ

A. a greater rigidity is achieved in this component because the cross achieving a more regular system.

COMPONENT CONFIGURATIONS

When reducing the angle of the component the resulting structure becomes more stiff and rigid

n: nยบ of components: 4 angle: 0ยบ

COMPONENT CONFIGURATIONS

The components need to deform their shape for them to be able to join, giving this configuration more rigidity and strength.

n: nยบ of components:5 angle: 45ยบ

COMPONENT CONFIGURATIONS

With a smaller angle in each component, air spaces appear which allow for more flexibility of the ensemble

n: nยบ of components: 5 angle: 0ยบ

A. due to the triangular configuration, the pieces have a natural tendency to fix naturally in each other, creating only a minimal configuration

COMPONENT CONFIGURATIONS

Because of the regulating belt the components benf in the x direction creating a convex form

n: nยบ of components: 6 angle: 75ยบ

A. due to the triangular configuration, the pieces have a natural tendency to fix naturally in each other, creating only a minimal configuration

COMPONENT CONFIGURATIONS

This component is very rigid and has a very pronounced curvature, which is very convenient when creating double curvature surfaces.

n: nยบ of components: 6 angle: 0ยบ

A. In this case the unit is under stress right to the point of starting to buckle. This stable/ unstable configuration makes it very rigid

COMPONENT CONFIGURATIONS

With this configuration, the material creates friction as it is joined and because of the confiuration it tends to buckle, giving it more stress

n: nยบ of components:7 angle: 10ยบ

INITIAL RESEARCH_SPHERE

nยบ of components: 5 angle: 0ยบ

nยบ of components: 5 angle: 45ยบ

At the initial stages of the component and to test it a sphere was created by connecting five- sided components together.

This would create different configurations. Resulting in a regular sphere when all the adjustable belt systems would be in the same angle.

Different possible configurations

Sphere configuration

Ellipse configuration

II. FINAL MODEL

TORUS SURFACE ANALYSIS When analysing one segment of the torus, the interior part is more rigid and constrained to hold together the inner ring of compression.

1. For the less rigid part of the structure, a matrix of 4 components assembled with an angle of 45ยบ optimizes the performance.

A. a network of 4 components give stability and the joining of the components helps to the creation of the internal compression ring.

2. At this point the components form a connection between the most rigid part of the structure and the remaining structure. By this forming a

B. used to act as a transition element between the most rigid and less rigid parts of the structure.

less rigid cluster with a wider angle (75ยบ) of the components to guarantee the correct transmission of forces

C. by reducing the angle of the component to 45ยบ a flexible, but at the same time tight structure can be achieved

3. In the most rigid part of the structure, a dense network of components needs to be formed creating a tight matrix of 6 components. At this point an angle of 0ยบ is given to the components to optimize their curvature.

D. the curvature created by the components is used to give rigidity to the structure. The angle on the locking system also contributes to add strength and rigidity

ASSEMBLYING THE STRUCTURE

This torus is composed of 8 ringed structures just like the one outlined above.

2. The angle of the component would need to be 2 0ยบ to give the structure more rigidity

angle_0ยบ

angle_45ยบ

angle_75ยบ

3. This composes one of the building rings in the torus

open taurus final model

open taurus final model_ nÂş components_180

Once the torus model was completed, further investigation was carried out to observe whether the more complex forms could be attained with the use of the component and its variability.

Extended computer analysis was carried out to analyse the curvature, geometry and bending possibilities.

NEXT STEP As a result of the final model, it was concluded that the component cannot undergo the stress to generate the desired form.

It’s possibilities are better explored in the range of spherical forms and their assemblages.

Exploring how to join several spheres would be more pertienent for the component

free form based on the torus _ close up images

free form model_ nยบ of components_290

free form model_ nยบ of components_290

ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATION SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AADRL DESIGN RESEARCH LAB

WORKSHOP I PHASE I

TERM I

MOSTAFA EL-SAYED

CHENDAN ZHANG XIANGYU LIU KEMAL ARDA ALKIN MARIA LAURA BARRIOLA

THANK YOU