Scaled Solutions

Today we worked to assemble our one to six scale model of our prototype. We built this out of laser cut 1/8” mdf. The line work was generated from a flattened rhino model. Each of the individual triangles was connected to each other with twisted pieces of wire strung through holes in each of the shape’s corners. Our studio used scissors, pliers, and nail clippers to secure these wire connections. First, long strips of triangles were fabricated, and then each of these strips was connected to form a surface. We ran into a few problems because some of the holes were too close to the corners causing them to break. However, we were able to correct this problem with maxicure. In the full scale model though, we will move all the holes so that they are not as close the edges. After construction is complete, we will place our prototype in a model of our site to understand what kind of connections will be needed between the site and the installation. What kind of footing do we need? How will tension and compression work to hold the design in place? These decisions are also effected by the material we have chosen to build our full scale prototype out of - a clear polygal. This material has a grain that strengthens it in one direction. We will orient this grain based on the forces generated in the prototype. The chosen orientation will also affect how many triangles will be able to fit on one sheet of poly-gal. We also considered techniques to ensure the longevity of our installation. Most likely we will have to edge each of the triangles to block the channels created by the grain in polygal. There are so many design decisions to be made, but there is a general excitement in studio about making something that will be realized in full scale, something that we can actually walk though. By Monday, we hope to begin fabrication with our poly-gal.