OUT-REACH project documentation

Lightweight, diy, waterproof, packable, trekking pole mounted, one person tent

2023 Designed by Nicola Marchiori

OUT-REACH

This tent is the result of a semester project at Unibz, called “Body Interactions” held by the professors: Caroline Perret, Camilo Ayala Garcia and Gehrad Glüher. The tent that here is presented is the result of a long series of prototypes, models and a lot of research in the field of tarps and MYOG tents to study how they are bulit, which materials are used and wich sewing techniques are applied.

Out-Reach was born after the need of creating a diy project that could be modular and change it’s shape accomodating the experience of the user. In the Ultralight backpacking community is common to say that “you pack your fears”. This meaning that the lower the confidence and the expertise of a hiker, the more fears he/she wil have and therefore, carry more stuff. Only with time and experience the backpack will get lighter and lighter and most of the worries will go away.

The need to escape from the every day life, to evade the repetitive sameness of concrete cities, the desire to live, even for a short period of time, in a world where social etiquette is no longer important. These factors brought to to the idea of developing a tent, which can e considered as an evasion tool.

This was the first phase of the project: defining the topic to research. I used the method of the mind map to write a lot of concepts in a short time. From there I selected what I was most interested in and proceeded to define even more that specific topic. The result of this refining process was the word SHELTER.

This process of refinement, research, asking myself questions and finding answers, opening parenthesis and diving in rabbit holes brought me to the decision of investigating: tents. From here a whole new research began; discovering the world of MYOG, tarp/tents and the ultralight backpacking practice.

To develop the final geometry of my tent I took as an inspiration the Holden Tarp configuration.

The main characteristics that made me appreciate this setup are:

• single trekking pole required

• minimal shape of the fabric

• ease of setup

• narrow opening

• low number of tie-outs

The first method I used to understand geometry and proportions was to cut and fold paper. This allowed me to understand the limits of the tent and possibe variations: for example, in the model the model that is in the upper right corner, T4, I tried to see what would happen if instead of just one trekking pole, there were two.

After having tried numerous variations of the possible geometry of the tent, I came to the realization that it was impossible to try all the combinations of the different parameters that ruled the final resulting shape. Therefore I developed an algorithm with Grasshopper that allowed me to visualize a 3D model of the tent, based on a parametric input.

The sliders allowed me to change these parameters:

• Fabric width and height

• Apex position on the XYZ axis

• Width of the entrance

• Height of the livable area

I soon realized that some numbers weren’t enough to understand the volume of the space, so I boght some used bed sheets and I started sewing. This process went on in parallel with the development of the algoritthm, tweaking from time to time what I needed.

For every prototype I assembled I wrote a review page on my notebook where I analyzed the current state of the product, wrota a feedback and decided which would have been the following steps.

The materials choice was a really important step in project since most of the qualities of the material would have reflectd on the qualities of the tent.

The initial phase was to research on synthetic fabrics.

The qualities for which I was looking for were:

• Lightweight

• Inelastic

• Tear resistant

• Waterproof

• Easy to work with

In the end the chosen material was Ripstop SilNylon. A silicone impregnated Nylon fabric that excells for its water resistance and lightness.

Furthermore the fabric is woven with a Ripstop pattern, this means that every 3mm of weave and weft there is heavier thread that prevents the fabric from ripping aparte when tore.

Another important aspect was the choice of the zipper, which needed to be very specific for this project:

• 3m long

• coil

• separating

• two way puler

• accessible from both sides

A big part of the project went into understaning sewing techniques that are used for synthetic fabrics.

To replicate all the details with a higher fidelity I created a 1:4 scale model using polyester fabric and testing wich seams were working the best for every detail.

With everything planned I started sewing. The first step was to cut the material to the right dimensions, then I applied the reinforcement patches to the corners and the apex, I folded and sew the hem all around the perimeter to prevent the fabric from fraying, Then I attached the zipper and in the end the corner tie-outs.

The whole process was done with a PFAFF sewing machine using polyester thread and stitch lenght of 3mm to avoid poking a hole in the same square of the ripstop pattern.

manual

The last step of the project was to find a way to convey the instructions to build the tent itself. Therefore, I decided to design a production manual giving away all the informations, explaining carefully every step of the production.

The result is a printable A4 pdf that can be downloaded from the user.

The entire pdf can be found at this link: link here

Digital Modelling

ex 1. Self portrait

Take a self portrait in the style of...

Sarah Lucas

ex 2. You interacting

4. Self aware for 24h

8:00

Coperta

Cuscino

Lenzuolo

Pigiama

Telefono

Pavimento in legno

Ciabatte

Jeans

Pigiama

Maniglia Armadio

Maglietta

Maglione

Cintura

Armadio

Maniglia porta camera

Maniglia porta bagno

Cintura

Jeans

Water

Carta igienica

Sciaquone

Jeans

Cintura

rubinetto

Acqua

Asciugamano

Maniglia porta bagno

Interruttore

Maniglia porta cucina

Tupperware

Maniglia porta frigo

Maniglia anta pentole

Pentolino

Anta pentole

Maniglia anta dispensa

Confezione fiocchi

D’Avena

Maniglia cassetto posate

Cucchiao

Cucchiaino

Cafezione fiocchi D’Av-

ena

Maniglia anta dispensa

Barattolo di miele

Maniglia anta spezie

Barattolo cannella

Pentolino

Maniglia rubinetto

Manopola fornello

Cucchiaio

Maniglia cassetto posate

Tagliere

Coltello

Maniglia anta dispensa

Tupperware

Tappo Tupperware

Cioccolato

Coltello

Maniglia anta frigo

Banana

Coltello

Tagliere

Cucchiaino

Maniglia anta lavastoviglie

Scodella

Cucchiaio

Pentolino

Fette di banana

Scaglie Cioccolato

Scodella

Cucchiaino

Sedia

Porridge (bocca)

Tavolo

Naso

Capelli

Buccia banana

Maniglia porta balcone

Sacchetto spazzatura

Porta balcone

Collo

Scodella

Pentolino

Rubinetto

Maniglia cassetto biancheria

Calzini

Letto

Maniglia porta camera

Maniglia porta bagno

Rubinetto

Acqua

Asciugamano

Spazzolino

Dentifricio

Rubinetto

Acqua

Coprispazzolino

Asciugamano

Maniglia porta bagno

Interruttore

Telefono mail

Scarpe

Calzascarpe

Portafoglio

Chiavi

Maniglia porta bagno

Cintura

Jeans

Water

Carta igienica

Jeans

Cintura

Telefono mail

Rubinetto

Sapone

Acqua

Asciugamano

Maniglia porta bagno

Scarpe

Calzascarpe

Sedia

Maniglia porta camera

Giacca

Borsa

Maniglia porta princi-

pale

Scale

Maniglia porta uscita

9:00

Portafoglio

Tessera uni

Maniglia entrata c

Maniglia porta scale

Scale

Maniglia porta scale

Maniglia porta atelier

Borsa

Giacca

Tavolo

Sedia

Braccio

Collo

Poster

Telefono whatsapp

Tavolo

Telefono whatsapp

Burrocacao

Occhi

Naso

Bocca

Tavolo

10:00

Telefono mail

Molletta

Tavolo

Jeans

Molletta

Naso

Telefono Google

Gomito

Telefono vinted

11:00

Maglione

Telefono mail

Bancone bar

Sedia

Tavolo

Molletta

Telefono whatsapp

Borsa

Computer

Maglione

Tavolo Computer

Portafoglio

Tessera

Stampante

Porta

Computer

Tessera

Molletta

Stampante

Sedia

Telefono whatsapp

Telefono mail

12:00

Sedia

Tavolo

Telefono Google

Molletta

Portafoglio

Porta atelier

Pulsanti ascensore

Portafoglio

Tessera

Tovaglietta

Vassoio

Cucchiaio

Scodella

Piatto

Bicchiere

Bicchiere

Cucchiaio

Scodella

Vassoio

Tavolo

Maniglia porta mensa

13:00

Maglione

Chiavi

Maniglia porta casa

Scale

Maniglia porta principale

Maniglia porta bagno

Cintura

Jeans

Water

Carta igienica

Rubinetto

Sapone

Acqua

Rubinetto

Spazzolino

Dentifricio

Rubinetto

Maniglia porta bagno

Maniglia porta principale

Scale

Maniglia porta casa

Chiavi

Maniglia porta cortile

Chiavi lucchetto

Lucchetto

Bici

Maniglia porta cortile

Bici

Lucchetto

Chiavi lucchetto

Maniglia porta scale

Scale

Sedia

Borsa

Telefono note

Maglione

Borsa

Sedia

Quaderno

Astuccio

Telefono whatsapp

Borraccia

Acqua

Borsa

14:00

Maniglia porta atelier

Maniglia porta scale

Scale

Maniglia porta atelier

Tavolo

Sedia

Taccuini

Astuccio

Borsa

Taccuino

Penna

Borsa

Tavolo

Computer

Mouse

Borraccia

Tavolo

Foglio carta

Penna

Taccuino

Molletta 16:00

17:00

Maniglia porta atelier

Maniglia porta bagno

Maniglia porta bagno int Cintura

Jeans

Water

Carta igienica

Rubinetto

Sapone

Acqua

Fazzoletto

Maniglia porta bagno int

Maniglia porta bagno

Maniglia porta atelier

Tavolo

Telefono ora

Computer Mouse

18:00

Borsa Computer

Borraccia

Borsa Computer Mouse

Maniglia porta atelier

Maniglia porta scale

Telefono ora

Scale

Maniglia porta scale

Portafoglio

Tessera uni

Maniglia porta atelier

Giacca

Bottoni

Maniglia porta atelier

Maniglia porta scale

Scale

Maniglia porta uni

Porta chiavi

Chiave lucchetto

Lucchetto

Portabici

Bici

Portachiavi

Chiave lucchetto

Lucchetto

Maniglia porta negozio

Telefono ora

Telefono mail

Pacco

Maniglia porta negozio

Chiave lucchetto

Lucchetto

Bici

Portachiavi

Chiave cortile

Maniglia porta cortile

Lucchetto

Chiave lucchetto

Maniglia porta cortile

Chiavi

Maniglia porta casa

Scale

Maniglia porta princi-

pale

Chiavi

Portafoglio

Giacca

Scarpe

Scarpiera

Maniglia porta cucina

Maniglia cassetto posate

Forbice

Zaino nuovo

Cerniere

Strap

19:00

Borsa

Computer

Quaderno

Astuccio

Astuccio grande

Caricabatterie computer

Mouse

Zaino

Divano

Telefono youtube

Tagliere

Carciofi

Coltello

Ciotola

Maniglia porta frigo

Aglio

Maniglia anta spezie

Olio

Pepe Sale

Rosmarino

Maniglia porta frigo

Parmigiano

Carciofi

Coltello

20:00

Maniglia anta dispensa

Patate

Maniglia cassetto posate

Pelapatate

Rubinetto

Patate

Coltello

Formaggio

Pangrattato

Carciofi

Maniglia anta pentole

Pentola

Manopola fornello

Olio

Patate

Carciofi

Sale

Pepe

Rosmarino

Peperoncino

Bicchiere

Rubinetto

Mestolo

Pentola

Coperchio

Maniglia porta cucina

Divano

Telefono youtube

Coperchio

Pentola

Mestolo

Piatto

Forchetta

Piatto

Caraffa

Rubinetto Bicchiere

Forchetta

Maniglia porta frigo

Sriracha

Sedia

Tavolo

Forchetta

Carciofi Patate

Bicchiere

Acqua

Coltello

Forchetta Telefono youtube

PAPER BINDER CLIP

It is composed of two parallel loops, joined together by a narrow metal bridge that curves into an inverted V-shape. The loops themselves are round in shape, with smoothly rounded edges. The clip is approximately 3cm in length and 3cm wide. The surface of the clip is smooth and shiny, painted of a really dark black, with a slight texture that is almost imperceptible to the touch. The sensation at the touch is cool and smooth to the fingertips. The metal loops are made from a strong but lightweight material that feels robust and durable when held. The smooth and rounded edges of the clip are feel nice and pleasing to the touch. The spring mechanism that joins the loops together is thin and flexible, but still provides enough tension to hold the clip closed tightly. When is manipulated, it can produce a variety of metallic sounds. For example, if the clip is opened or closed, a soft and subtle “click” sound can be heard as the spring mechanism moves into place. The loops of the clip also produce a light rattling noise if they move against each other. If the clip is dropped or played with, a more substantial metallic clanging sound can be heard. A paper binder clip typically does not have a strong or noticeable scent

ex 5. Body modelling

Theories and languages of product design