DAAP DIRECTOR’S CHOICE 2017, UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
The project, Moving Monocoque, began as an exploration into the dichotomy of digital and analog processes and their ability to be used together to influence and augment the outcome of a design process. As design iteration progressed our team sought to explore the possibility of an architecture that directly and autonomously responds to human needs and interactions through its own purposefully designed characteristics. These sought interactions occur regularly between multiple users in simultaneous conjunction with interactions between the same users and the spatiality quality of architecture. As design of the monocoque progressed the question remained, can spaces become autonomously adaptive to address situational needs.
Through the prompt of designing a space for a child in the form of an architectural intervention for an existing space, a spatial canopy was constructed which responds to multi-dimensional user interaction and provides situational and specific environments for inhabitants. The installation is able to provide these situational environments by utilizing sound sampling technology to drive a kinetic sequence, which in turn transforms the space in reaction to the amount of activity occurring within the space. This concept is easily scalable and modifiable and presents relatable implications for future spatial design. Pending further development and implementation the environments of future spaces may be just as responsive and kinetic to changing environments as todays facade is responsive to the changing of the sun.
To achieve the desired results in terms of computational clarity and kinetic possibilities a complex, thought out design process was employed which utilized various computation programs to help achieve parametric modification, end product simulation, and rapid prototyping and production capabilities.
The aggregation of the cells is determined by applying a Catmull-Clark subdivision algorithm to the mesh surface of a polygon. The Catmull-Clark subdivision algorithm is a technique in 3D modeling enabling the creation of smooth surfaces by dividing a given input mesh surface recursively. To simulate the outcome of each aggregation configuration when suspended and effected by the step motors, Kangaroo, the physics simulation engine was employed. The Kangaroo simulation allowed us to quickly test the outcome of each aggregation configuration. A hexagonal mesh was chosen as the final form for its visual quality and topological complexity. Arduino, a single-board microcontroller for building devices that interact with the physical world, was used to control the motion of the canopy and the LED lights. We opted to use NEMA17 stepper motor for motion and DMX enabled LED stage lights for lighting. To inform the Arduino board and activate the motor and lights, three condenser microphones are used to measure the ambient sound in the space. The ambient sound values are then mapped to a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, which determines the position of the stepper motors, thus influencing the height of each corner of the canopy along with the color of the LED lights.
This project explores inherent contradictions of its own existence. The form is a paradox of digital and analog, soft and hard, of the smooth and the striated. While individual cells are folded into a strong solid form, the overall structure behave more akin to a piece of fabric.
This project is a collaboration of Han Shen, Kiana M Dadgar, Matt Brubaker, Yasamin Enshaeian.
This project is awarded Director’s Choice Award of 2017.