Leva | Kinetic Wall interactive installation

The kinetic wall is a prime example of the evolution of interactive movement in kinetic architecture. The wall was a temporary interactive installation for the 88th Geneva International Motor Show 2018. The wall was composed of 139 “petals”, which moved simultaneously and opened up like a theatrical curtain for visitors to look through. Prototyping techniques and an agile approach was used to design this unique work. (leva.io, n.d.)

Located in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert to create Black Rock City, a temporary art exhibition, the Blumen Lumen interactive art installation of about 7 oversized surreal flowers is an example of dynamic art. The flowers moved and lit up in response to movement, engaging the viewer and providing a creative and meaningful experience. Inspired from the Japanese art of Origami, with its intricate geometrical forms the design was perfected considering weather conditions with an emergency shelter design built. (FoldHaus, 2016)

Reflection: All my precedents I chose were to do with an open and close motion. What I learnt: All the precedents have given me inspiration for how my design mechanism will work particularly Blumen Lumen Interactive Sculpture at Burning Man and SF with it’s similar open and close motion that I am going for. Moving forward: To the design development phase I will draw inspiration from my precedents I chose in helping me to come up with a mechanism for an open and close motion.

Physical model progress images and final images

Before 3D modelling on rhino I decided to create the physical model first so that any changes to the physical model would then be replicated onto rhino. Also I did the physical model first to make sure the mechanism worked.

What was used to create the physical model: 3mm acrylic, threaded steel rod, nuts, clear sticky tape, clear drying glue and wire. I made the central part of the model first then added the flame pieces, wire and tape as the hinge to finish off the physical model.

Continued motion images and final result of motion

Exploded diagram

4D motion effect

Reflection: What I learnt: Is that by doing the physical model first it helped in make sure the mechanism worked and informed me on exactly how the 3D rhino model will be created. Moving forward: Onto the exploded diagram - detailing the design.

Reflection: What I learnt: Is that by having a list of all the pieces that were used to create the model and the number of pieces it makes it easier for the viewer to understand how it was created. Moving forward: Onto situating the architectural installation somewhere in Swinburne.

Reflection: What I learnt: Is that by adding a person and adding a bit of context to the scene when situating the design it can really help the viewer understand how it would look in that particular location of Swinburne. Moving forward: Onto attaching the design and showing the connection detail onto the wall.

Reflection: What I learnt: Is that by showing different views of the design attached to the wall and adding arrows and labels really helps the viewer to understand how the design is attached. Moving forward: Next is putting together the 7 posters.