top of page

"AUGMENTED SKIN"  DISTINCTION

MArch graduate architectural design

bartlett school of architecture, ucl 2013-2014

 

tutors: Daniel Widrig / Stefan Bassing / Soomeen Hahm

team members: Kazushi Miyamoto / Youngseok Doo / Theodora Maria Moudatsou

Dezeen / Archdaily / Suckerpunch / Architect Magazine / Wired / Edgargonzalez / Contagious 41 / Vision

This project proposes a design using a unique crafting technique which is a customised, low-budget casting process for the creation of intricate objects and building parts.

This technique utilizes different materials that have opposite characteristics, such as solid stick and elastic fabric. The combination of the characteristics of these materials causes the resultant object is transmute into an inimitable and unexpected shape.

 

The purpose of casting is to capture the shape after it has been determined; casting also has a structural function. The internal cross-shape stick functions as structural material to reinforce the casting material. The dynamic surface of the elastic fabric is constrained by the distribution of the internal stick components whose composition is distributed randomly. In addition, the fabric is coated with PVA for casting. Finally, this semi-rigid, self-supporting tension system serves as the formwork for concrete casting.

 

Furthermore, we use two design logics: ‘Strand’ and ‘Skin’. The Strand is inspired by the human body’s skeleton; it is a string-like form that becomes the main structure. The Skin, created between the Strand components, forms the surface of a space. Digital simulation is utilised for surface deformation design, the distribution design of the Strand components and structural testing.

bottom of page