Deep Surface Prototype

Design and Fabrication of Large Scale Cable-Net and Membrane Prototype

With any computational process, it is important to understand the correlation between the computed data and its physical manifestation. With computational methods that intend to simulate material behaviors, it is evermore critical to calibrate the information produced in the digital domain with that manufactured in the physical domain. This block-seminar will focus on just such calibration and coordination of computationally generated form and performance with physical constructed material assemblies. It will be done so in the design, fabrication, and assembly of a large articulated membrane and cable-net prototype.

Participants of the block-seminar will utilize previously developed tools in RhinoScript and Processing to generate a Deep Surface membrane system. Comprised of multiple membranes "cells" with integrated cable-net "meshes", the prototype will be designed both with a consideration of formal complexity and a significant examination of its capacity as an insulating and energy modulating device. We will investigate the use of photoluminescent materials and aerogel insulation to provide functional potentials for energy capture and modulation. The first phase of the block-seminar will involve a series of quick but accurate studies for calibrating the effectivenes of these materials based on the specific context surrounding the prototype. The next phase will be the fabrication of the prototype, utilzing a computer-driven cut plotter for textile production. The final phase will be the postcompletion analysis of the level of functionality to which the prototype was initially devised.

This block-seminar is a follow up to the seminar Deep Surface Membrane Morphologies. Students who did not attend the first seminar are allowed to participate in this follow-up block-seminar for constructing a large-scale interior membrane prototype. Knowledge in physical modeling with membranes, and scripting experience in RhinoScript and Processing is helpful but not required.