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DIGITAL DESIGN + FABRICATION SM1, 2016 M2 JOURNAL - SKIN AND BONE

EMMA MARTIN AND EVELYN KANG (EMMA-699044, EVELYN-716110)

MICHELLE + TUTORIAL 1

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Sketch Design Development

Our new design takes inspiration from the module one design to the left. It borrows the idea of creating a structural member at the front of the design to create support for the neck and therefore the head, creating a comfortable space to rest.

From this design we decided to borrow the idea of a self-confined space to provide greater privacy. We also drew from this design the use of a seriers of symetrical and geometric shapes to create a smooth flow in the new design.

Side view of proposed design

Pespective drawing of propsed design

Our new design has a strong focus on creating a comfortable place to sleep. We have added a structure which proves support to the user so that they can sleep with their body relaxed. A pillow has also been added to rest the side of the face on.

Evelyns M1 design

Emmas M1 design

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refined Sketch Model

Sketch models from module one

Both of our previous models focused on having a sturdy and adaptable frame. A frame which through movement creates interest.

Refined sketch model two

Refined sketch model one

Our refined sketch models both try to convey this sence of movability as well as simplicity. Sketch model one and two both have the ability to adapt from an almost two dimensional object to a three dimensional object.

In order to create a design which can effectively “flatten” we discovered that it was best to have a series of symetrical configurations of differing scales so that they may seamlessly fit together.

The models both use a skin to connect the pieces, whilest also providing stability. The skin material chosen acts well in both compression and tension, adapting suitably as the structure evolves.

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2nd Skin proposed design V.1

The proposed design focuses on creating a minimalistic sleeping pod which creates interest through repetition of geometric volumes. The user is seated with support provided for their head to create a comfortable and useable space. The exterior frame and membane allows the user to feel secluded and at peace.

Isometric view Sde view

Front viewTop view

Isometric view

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The design to the left consists of two separate structures which are to be fixed to the desk. The first part is a headrest, similar to the one in the sketch design development, which provides support for the upper body and a pillowed surface for the side of the face to rest comfortably on. The second part is a collapsable frame covered with material. This part serves as a barrier to prevent people from intruding on ones personal space, while also minimalising light penetration.

We aimed to have a frame which, like the square-shaped sketch model, could fold flat, and rest on the table when not in use. However we released that with the initial drawing we would not be able to create a joint which suppported the varying angles. Hence, we adjusted the the shape of the bone elements from a half hexagon to a half octagon.

After some consideration we came to the realisation that with multiple people using the design, having a pillow for one to lie their face on would be unhygenic and may make the user uncomfortable.Thus, we desided that rather than the pillow supporting the face, we could use a soft and flexible material instead to support the back of the head. If we joint this as well as the outer part to a wall, the design would be more effective.

Side view of proposed design Perspective of proposed design

Detail of jointSide view of proposed design

Moveability of joint

Side view of final proposed design

Front view of final proposed design

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2nd Skin proposed design V.2

This design focuses on the repeated use of octagons to create a dynamic form. The design recognises and parallels the boundaries of our perceived personal space.

Isometric view Top view

Front view Side view

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Personal space bubble

Personal space is something unique to each individual. However, we found that the bubble expands around ones chest and face. Therefore, the sleeping pod will require sufficient space in these regions so that the user can rest without interferance and interruption.

We experimented with a series of geometries and decided that octagons were the most suited for the design. Octagons provide stability while also creating a space which can effectively encompass the user.

The natural solution to this was to remove the end half of the design and instead only create a support for the back and nehead. This adjustment makes the design more practical without jeopardising the comfort of the user.

We started out with this design to fully enclose the body. The top half is made from a lightweight timber and covered with a skin to provide privacy, thus increasing comfortability. The base is angled to create support and allows

Initial idea 1 Initial idea 2

Sketch of proposed design Sketch of proposed design

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Curvilinear/ fluidity / repetition / modernism / minimalism

The design is directly based on Burnhams 1909 city grid plan for Chicago. The bone structure is comprised of a series of curved aluminium pieces, over which a fabric has been tensioned. The pavilion makes use of repetition to create a complex and stimulating form.

Brunham Pavilion - Zaha Hadid Architects

Description of precedent

Precedent Research

The design is based upon a singular curved module

This module is repeated at varying scales to create a three dimensional space.

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Precedent applied to design

How can you use this precedent to influence your design ?

Curvilinear/ fluidity / repetition / modernism / minimalism

Sections of Brunham Pavilion

In the above sections you can see the individual elements which form the basis of this structure. Each element (while slightly varied) is repeated to create a three dimensionality. In this way our second proposed design is already quite similar to this precedent.

You can see above that each element has a depth to it. This creates a higher level of complexity and allows you to create an interior profile that is different from the exterior profile, while still allowing fluidity in the design.

Another admirable aspect is the seemless manner in which the roof structure is connected to the base. This fluidity disguises the inherent complexity of the design creating a minimalistic finish.

Originally the upper half of our design consisted of a series of thin wire-like elements creating an octagonal framework above the head. The addition of depth to these elements would allow us to greater manipulate the design and also provide a barrier against light penetration.

Both of our previously proposed designs involved the draping of a membrame over the outer framework to provide comfort and to block out light. If instead we were to tension this object over the frame we would arrive at a more wholistic design which allows the skin of the design to become pivotal in the structure of the design, while also creating a more remarkable design.

The Brunham Pavilion is a seemless design which intrinsically disguises its complexity in a simplistic and minimalistic design. Our design can draw inspiration from this stimulating form to improve its fluidity and and functionality.

Sketch with added depth Sketch with tensioned membrane

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Design development - Version #1

Inspired by the precedent study, which is based on a singular curved module, we decided to use an octagonal timber frame as the bone structure of a sleeping pod. This octagonal design focuses on the theory of repetition of varying scales to provide a three dimensional volume. Due to the scaled octagonal structure creating a curve shape, the design is more fitted with the bodies curve and creates a comfortable environment.

Isometric of version 1

Side view

Top view

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The precedent design has a high level of fluidity. It emanates ease through an intricate disguise of its complexity. This is something we realised that our design was lacking in. There was a large disparity between the upper half and the base of the design. It was lacking this fluidity. This drove us to develop a few variations of our design that encouraged a slow progression from the upper half to the lower half of our design. We settled on simply using the octagon in its most rudimentary form. This change allowed us to create a more simplistic design, further aligned to the precedent.

The primary bone structure of our design consists of thin octagonal plywood members. Each member has different proportions, with the size of the hollow section of the octagon depending on where it is positioned in the design as this directly relates to the inherent personal space bubble. The secondary bone structure consists of numerous repeated timber rods to provide privacy for the user; I have used thread to express these rods in this sketch model. The membrane is attached to the inside of the capsule. It is attached in such a way that the material hangs like a hammock at an angle of 150 degrees. This we discovered is a comfortable depth for rest.

Preliminary sketches

Trial model Sketch of finalised version 1

Drawings of version 1

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Design development - Version #2

This design is altered on the basis of an octagonal frame, its structure consists of a series of scaled plywood modules, similar to Version 1. The

additional wire elements between the timber pieces create a cross pattern which acts as a barrier and provides the users with the sense of security and personal space.

Top view of version 2 Side view

Isometric view

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All aspects of the precedent express repetition thus creating a linking theme for the design. We decided for this version to trial creating varied patterns by using repetition thus creating a dynamic yet still simple form.

Like the previous design, this version is based on octagonal forms, and has a stretched fabric center to create a comfortable place to rest. This time we decided instead it was best if all octagons were identical (with a width of 5mm and a depth of 70mm), they are set at different scales which take into consideration both ergonomics and the human form as well as the realms of personal space. Each of these bone elements are positioned at a distance of 10cm, this prevents interruption from light and other people. The secondary bone structure includes many pieces of thread attached in tension in a crisscross pattern between the primary plywood members. The tension aids in holding the primary members in place. These wires also distort the view of the exterior world for the user, minimalizing distraction and increasing privacy.

For this design we added hinges along one edge so that the top half can lift from the bottom half allowing the user to easily enter the space.

Preliminary sketches

Trial model Sketch of finalised version 2 Drawings of version 1

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Prototype

Side view

Front view

Top view

Detail

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Testing Effects

To the right you can see the capsule opening to allow the entry of the user.

Below is our previously determined personal space bubble. You can see in our model to the right that this has influenced the shaping of our design to create place in which the user can relax in peace.

We chose to use a fabric with a little bit of give in one direction to allow the fabric to mould to the shape of the body to increase comfort. You can see in the two images to the left that the faric easily stretches in one direction (distorting the square piece of fabric), however hardly stretches in the other direction, allowing it to be fixed to the design .

Sleeping pod moveability

Fabric being tensioned horizontally

Fabric being tensioned vertically

Diagram of personal space perception

Side view of occupied prototype

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Appendix

Configuring pieces

Arranging pieces to fit on board Alligning pieces

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