TECTONIC GROUNDS | jackietsang

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Design Brief

'Onyx' the Interactive Creature

Design Brief

Emphasizing on hands-on exploration of spatial and creative processes of architectural design, Tectonic Grounds explores digital fabrication techniques, physical computing (e.g. Adruino and Firefly) and rapid prototyping (laser-cut and 3D printing) to create a 1:1 scale interactive folly.

The potential of interaction design to create a unique and personalized experience of space is investigated, the role of drawing, making and constructing skills within today’s technology is also challenged, defining contemporary standards of craftsmanship.

Working with a team of 33 students, ‘Onyx’, a static physical structure made from polypropylene pods with interactive components of data receptors, LED lights and Spidron-inspired response mechanism, is designed and erected.

Click the image below to learn more about:

A. Interaction Logic

Onyx

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C. Modular Structure

B. Form Generation

D. The Spidron Panel

Spidron is a continuous flat geometric figure composed entirely of triangles, where, for every pair of joining triangles, each has a leg of the other as one of its legs, and neither has any point inside the interior of the other. If it is drawn on paper, cut out in a single piece, and folded along a number of legs, a Spidron can be easily deformed into a three-dimensional figure.

This deformability makes the development of a great variety of spatial and mobile applications possible, and such developments are suitable for making folding building structures that perform aesthetic and practical functions. The deforming Spidron system, a poetic and repetitive motion, provides an excellent solution for the responsive mechanism in 'Onyx'.

The material used for the panel needs to be resilient and strong to withstand the constant folding, while be light at the same time to be powered by 1 small servo. Different patterns are applied to help a smoother folding, twisting motion and a better reflection of LED light.

E. The Movement Mechanism

Different systems to operate and control the expand-and-contract motion of the panel are experimented. The final solution with a rotary motion follows the geometry the best and is proved to be most efficient and elegant.

A. The Interaction Logic

How Onyx feeds on and responds to different stimulation from visitors.

A. The Interaction Logic

B. The Form Generation

C. The Modular Structure

D. The Spidron Panel

E. The Movement Mechanism

F. The LED Lights

G. The Pulse and Tubes

H. Photo Gallery

I. Video Footage

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

B. The Form Generation

How light and movement data is translated and combined with response mechanism to create the interactive creature 'Onyx'.

E. Mechanism

D. Spidron Panel

C1. The Modular Structure

The module design takes inspiration from self-supporting structure. The pods are designed to maximize the material properties to allow it to span and take loads.

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

F. The LED Lights

Slits are added to the modules for better aesthetics. The LED lights mounted onto the pods respond to the global feed and while those mounted onto the panels respond to local feed.

F. LED Lights

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