1DIGITAL DESIGN + FABRICATION SM1, 2016 M4 Sleeping Pod Journal Reflection

Ding Wei David Chen 758298Michelle + Tutorial 9

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5Table of contents:

1.0 Ideation 1.1 Object: 1.2 Object + System Analysis: 1.3 Volume: Reconfigured material system

2.0 Design 2.1 Design development intro: 2.2 Digitization + Design proposal v.1 : 2.3 Precedent research: 2.4 Design proposal v.2:2.5 Prototype v.1+ Testing Effects:

3.0 Fabrication 3.1 Fabrication intro: 13.2 Design development & Fabrication of prototype v2: 3.3 Design development & Fabrication of prototype v3: 3.4 Final Prototype development + optimisation: 3.5 Final Digital model 3.6 Fabrication sequence: 3.7 Assembly Drawing: 3.8 Completed 2nd Skin:

4.0 Reflection.

5.0 Appendix: You can include the below as an appendix or as in text footnoting and image captions5.1 Credit5.2 Bibliography:

61.0 IDEATION

1.1 Object: Umbrella

Measured Drawings were accurately measured by hand using a ruler to measure each individual component. The rhino model was a close replica of the physical umbrella used in the measured drawings. The model was not exact due to the complexity of certain components and mechanism that proved difficult to model. The scal of the drawings and rhino model had to be scaled down to 1:3.

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81.2 Object and system analysis

Skin and bone system

The skeletal structure of the umbrella holds the entire object together, connecting the membrane to the branches which are then connected to the stem. The complex mechanism within the stem and branches allows the extension of the arms carrying the membrane, effectively creating a shelter. By providing an upward force on the stem the branches begin to expand as one segment pushes the other along. With the movement of the arms restricted at a certain angle by a steel wire, creating a symbi-otic relationship between the arm and the membrane forming a solid structure.

91.3 Reconfigured material system

The branches of an umbrella are comprised of three segments, these segments are connected via 2 pin joints that do not restrict hte branches movement. After replicating the design of the umbrellas arm with balsa wood I began stacking several branches together. This created an inter-esting object that could branch out on its own and form different shapes effectively changing its design, form and purpose.

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2.0 DESIGNTeam members: Hao Lin, Yu Ling Guo

2.1 Design development intro: With several issues appearing early on at the time I did not complete my three phase one design proposals and several complications with my original group I did not have any design proposals to be taken forward. Instead I had a look at my new team members designs and developed our project around their designs. Later we decided to reveisit my reonfigured model, and based our main design on the pin joints and the material on it. In the end we had come down to two designs, one based off of my reconfigured model and the other off a team members proposal.

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2.2 Digitization + Design proposal v.1 no 1:

The first design proposal comes from a team members design, its premise is to wrap the user around in several hollow hexagonal shapes that are held together by a fabric. This design is essentially a tent used to wrap around the user provideding warmth, comfort and a sense of privacy. The skeletal structure consists of the hollow hexagons that aree connected via pin joints to allow for some light movement.

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2.2 Digitization + Design proposal v.1 no 2:

The second design is based off of my reconfigured model. The idea was to connect several segements and layers together via pin joints, effectively creating a solid structure that could support the neck in a plethora of sleeping positions.

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Concept: Repetition/ Fluidity/ Curvilinear/ Public/ Informal

Burnham Pavillion, Zaha Hadid Architect

Description of precedent

2.3 Precedent Research

The Burnham Pavillion creates a large open space with its unique curvilinear form, derived from the principle of using the skin and bone as structural members. This informal yet intricately bent-aluminum structure, is designed to be a recyclable installation that could be easily rebuilt and also promotes the idea of public discourse. The reptiting use of curves gives the pavillion a more organic form.

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Precedent applied to design

We believe that the precedent we chose is very similar to a shell, and from this shell we developed this idea for a closed and curvilinear structure. The sleeping pod could be folded and will cover the whole head inside as the occupant was sleeping on the table. Its purpose is to block out the surround-ing light and sound to provide a sense of protection, privacy. As the design process progressed we began considering what kind of materials would we use. Keeping with the skin and bone principle, we needed a strong light material to serve as the base, the skeletal structure and a soft fabric that resembles the membrane for comfort. This idea also inspired us to make the design larger.

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2.4 Design proposal v.2:

Towards the end of the design phase of the project we finally made the decision to go with one of the designs, we chose the second proposal based on my reconfigured model. Using key ideas from the precedent we decided to enlarge the structure so that it covers and supports the whole head rather than just the neck. This new design emphasizes more coverage and support from the shoulders and up. Made out of balsa wood and held together with steel wires the new design completes what we set out to do, create a large sleeping pod that cancels out the surrounding light and sound, providing comfort and a sense of security.

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2.5 Prototype v.1+ Testing Effects:

Our protoype came out a little bigger than we expected, we also learned that the material we chose was not suitable for this design. The sheer size and weight of the structure made it very uncomfortable, not only that we could not find a comfortable position to sleep in. The balsa wood was too fragile, making certain segements quite weak when individual pieces began failing structurally. The steel wires that held the pieces together made the structure too flimsy and quite uncomfortable. It was only after we made the structure that we learned that our design does not work at all.

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3.0 FABRICATIONTeam members: Hao Lin Yulin Guo

3.1 Fabrication intro:

In Module 2 we tried to create a sleeping pod that could be used for multiple purposes, and fit a variety of sleeping positions. By focusing on too many potential applications we failed to accommodate the basic criteria, our design was scattered and confusing, its intentions were also unclear and as a result our design performed poorly. This time around we changed the fundamental principle behind our design and focused on one sleeping position with one purpose, to create a comfortable and safe sleeping pod. Using our understanding of a skin and bone system we adapted the complex geometry of our original prototype and reconfigured it into a structurally sound pod with layers of soft fabric and wool to maximize comfort.

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3.2 Design development & Fabrication of prototype v2:

The new design focused on comfort and stability. This comes in the form of a new rigid design that still incorporates the original style, whilst making it stable and comfortable to relax on. The addition of the skin being the fabric stuffed with wool, creates a comfortable pillow for a head to rest upon. New materials were introduced in order to meet the structural requirements of the sleeping pod, by replacing the balsa wood with its much stronger cousin MDF and replacing the steel wires that caused a lot of discomfort with aluminium rods with fixed ends.

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3.3 Design development & Fabrication of prototype v3:

As we decided that we needed a more stable and rigid structure we began testing different shapes and forms. In the end we came up with a closed hexagon supported by several triangles and were held together by metal rods instead of the flimsy steel wire that we used earlier. By repeating the same pattern layer by layer we create a much more stable design that kept the original form. This new design also focuses only on one sleeping position unlike our previous prototypes that were over complicated and ultimately failed in almost every aspect.

To make the structure stable and solid we focused a lot of our efforts on the joints, to see whether or not they could support the weight of the structure. As triangulation forms the most crucial part of the design as it is the only thing keeping the structure up. Getting the right angle, size and height of these triangles plus the friction between the joints would determine whether or not the structure would stand. Previously we connected the joints and segments together with a flimsy steel wire that could not hold the structure together. We also had to change the balsa wood into something stronger.

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3.4 Final Prototype development + optimisation:

The overall effect of the sleeping pod is too provide a stable platform that is comfortable and safe for the user. As every user is different in size we must cater to that requirement, in response we adjustable segments to the sides of the design. These teeth like structures form the base of the main structural triangles, by adjusting the height of these triangles we could change the height of the sleeping pod.

The skeletal structure of the sleeping pod is quite hollow, it contains a noticeable gap between each layer. So in order to create a sense of safety and security we added a layer of fabric stuffed with wool, essentially a pillow that would wrap around the users head blocking light and sound. The soft nature of the pillows combined with the irregular form and mediocre soundproofing, creates the perfect illusion of safety for the user, allowing them to have a pleasant experience.

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3.5 Final Digital model Plan, Elevation and Axonometric drawings of final Rhino model.

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3.6 Fabrication sequence:

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3.7 Assembly Drawing:

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3.8 Completed Sleeping Pod:

A big theme raised in this module was how the use of digital fabrication techniques influenced our design. Laser cutting allowed us to quickly and efficiently produce the necessary components of how design with a much stronger material. The MDF we used proved to be much tougher than the balsa wood we previously used, combined with the effective production the only obstacle remaining was assembling the pieces together. Certain components of our project had delicate forms that were too difficult to manually cut, due to its irregular form and the tough material, leaving laser cutting as the only available option.

Using CAD software like rhino we were able to design a project that could be physically built, we were able to showcase each individual piece, where they would go and it would all work. As time progressed so did our design, new ideas came about and we added and subtracted multiple elements with relative ease, changing certain pieces completely, starting from scratch and changing the fundamental ideas behind the design. The ability to accomplish all this without the use of physical resources has saved a lot of time and money for the project.

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Digital fabrication has granted us the ability to efficiently and effectively create the numerous components needed for our sleeping pod. By digitally modelling the complex geometry of our design we were able to grasp a sense of the approximate size, form and function. This allowed us to freely adapt our design during the development and fabrication stages, helping us by highlighting the structural issues that plagued the project.

Using tessellation to set out our individual components we were able to save time, money and material whilst using the laser cutter to carve out the entire project. The only remaining obstacle in the project was assembling the sleeping pod and attaching the fabric to its foundations.

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4.0 REFLECTION

Having struggled to come up with innovative ideas at the beginning of the project we later learned that we had wasted a huge amount of time sitting there waiting for a bright idea to come. Looking back most of the work we did was right before the deadline when we had no choice but to act, to think and to create. It was during these moments that our designs began coming to life, every move we made created new opportunities, every drawing, and every physical model we made changed a piece of our initial design.

The first prototype derived from my reconfigured model opened many gate ways and ideas, it had so much potential but not all of these ideas worked. For example that prototype led to our module two design which failed to accommodate the brief, there were simply too many opportunities, too many elements to be met, we tried to create a multipurpose design and lost track of the fundamentals and the most basic requirement, how it was meant to be used. Overwhelmed by these limitless opportunities our design ultimately failed. This failure however was not a total loss, but a stepping stone to something greater, it gave us insight into what needed to be changed and highlighted what we set out to achieve. Focusing on what had gone wrong we redefined our design from the ground up, keeping with the skin and bone dynamic and the general hexagonal shape we changed the core principle behind the project, from a multipurpose sleeping pod that could support a variety of sleeping positions we narrowed it all down to one idea; a solid, stable platform that could support the head in two sleeping positions. Initially there was only one sleeping position but as we experimented with the final design we discovered another way to use the sleeping pod.

The hardest part of this studio was coming up with an initial idea and concept individually and in a group, and even when we did we had several different ideas and approaches to the subject. The other difficult challenge was the use of digital fabrication techniques, some-thing that the group and I were relatively new to. The transference of ideas and concepts on-to a virtual world was quite challenging, but it was also very rewarding, following the trend of ideas flowing in the act of making many new ideas surfaced as we digitized our project, changes could be easily changed and ideas were more efficiently expressed. In the end I learned that the best way to design is to simply begin making.

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5.0 APPENDIXDigital Prototypes

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Bibliography

Enric Miralles,Carme Pinos, 1988/1991, How to lay out a croissant El Croquis 49/50 Enric Miralles, Carme Pinos, En Construccion pp. 240241 Heath, A., Heath, D., & Jensen, A. (2000). 300 years of industrial design : func-tion, form, technique, 1700 2000 / Adrian Heath, Ditte Heath, Aage Lund Jensen. New York : WatsonGuptill.

Cheng, R. 2008. Inside Rhinoceros 4 / Ron K.C. Cheng. Clifton Park, NY : Thom-son/Delmar Learning, c2008.

Sommer, R. 1969. Personal space : the behavioral basis of design / Robert Sommer. Englewood Cliffs, N.J. : PrenticeHall, c1969.A

Scheurer, F. and Stehling, H. _2011_: Lost in Parameter Space? IAD: Architec-tural Design, Wiley, 81 _4_, July, pp. 7079

Asperl et al, 2007,Surfaces that can be built from paper / In H.Pottmann, A.Asperl,M.Hofer, A.Kilian (eds) Architectural Geometry, p534561, Bentley Institute Press

Kolarevic, B 2003, Architecture in the Digital Age Design and Manufacturing /Branko Kolarevic. Spon Press, London

Marble, S, 2008. Building the Future: Recasting Labor in Architecture/ Philip Bernstein, Peggy Deamer. Princeton Architectural Press. pp 3842

Rifkin, J 2011, The third Industrial Revolution. Palgrave Macmillan.pp107126

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CreditsDing Wei David Chen = 1Hao Lin = 2Yuling Guo = 3