30
Concept Blocks
Styrene Relief Materials
Applied Technologies & Alternate Methods
patterned styrene sheets
The styrene relief block was constructed by hand using patterned styrene sheets. Styrene can also be used in conjunction with a CNC mill, a laser cutter, and metal etching. Use a CNC mill to create a mold for vacuforming polystyrene, or a laser to cut and score styrene sheets. Dimensional styrene can also be applied to a metal-etched or laser-cut grid guide to create a screen.
Tools acrylic solvent / cutting mat / drafting equipment, machinist block / metal ruler / rice paper tape / sanding stick / X-Acto knife
Tips & Techniques
Architectural Concepts texture / scale / revolve / rhythm / relief / surface / representation
Sample Model (p. 144)
Create a beveled edge joint by hand-sanding the styrene sheets on a 45-degree jig or routing them on a machine. A butt joint will not allow the relief pattern to continue seamlessly around the corner, while a beveled joint enables the pattern to turn the corner without interruption.
Suggested Alternatives
Generic patterned basswood
Vacuformed styrene (p. 62)
Styrene elements (p. 80)
Styrene structure (p. 66)
Saw-cut relief (p. 44)