Metal & Glass Experiment

This week I have continued to play with materials, I went into the metal workshop and worked with folding, bending and cutting the metal to create interesting shapes. I wanted to also combine the tubing with metal so I created a 3D form which I feel works well. The contrast of material continuosly links back to the idea of synthesis. 'combining two compounds to create something new'  I don't feel like the 3D forms are enough on their own so I want to explore it by bringing them together and photographing them. This week I also received some colour changing glass from Prinz Optics , this is used in modern architecture for aesthetic reasons.  I am going to concentrate on making my project and imagery more 2D using photography to visualise this.

Week 2. Honeycomb & Parametric Structures.

This week I have been trying to make my concept visual. When researching new innovative materials in architecture I have found that many of these consist of a honey comb structure, when researching how these materials have been used in architecture the word parametric design kept reoccurring. This is where design is based on techniques of geometry where equal number of variations are designed, thus creating a similar honeycomb structure to those in fabric. I have been contacting numerous companies that create these innovative materials, I have received some positive responses where they are willing to send me out samples of their products. During the course of the week I have been trying to recreate these honeycomb structures using my own techniques and a variation of fabrics. I have also researched fabrics that change with a process, in keeping with my previous research of Morphogenis- a biological process which causes an organism to change its shape. I have been working with the material tyveck which is a versatile fabric, used in construction but also for medical purposes and protective clothing. Tyveck reacts to temperature and changes shape under concentrated heat. I have received a sample box from company Lamera called Hybrix. It is a stainless steel materia used in architecture and design. Its unique structure makes it strong and light, unlike  conventional lightweight materials it can be shaped into compound curves.

Parametric Structure

Honeycomb Structure

Week one. Materiality.

I want to start looking at the idea of materiality. Investigating new innovative material used in architecture and design , pushing their boundaries and seeing whether their qualities could cross over and be used within the fashion industry in design. I have been drawing this week using various material and using architecture as a context to draw from, I am happy with the abstractness of the drawings but I feel they are relating my ideas and making my concept visual enough.  I have started looking at materials that are used in architecture that change over time or work with other materials to create something new. I have looked at the word synthesis , which is the process of reaction and two contrasting compounds working together to create something new. I have also looked at Morphogenesis which is the biological process that causes an organism to change its shape. I have looked at things like bio light fixtures - lights that run on bacteria. I am going to continue to explore an work with these materials trying to push their boundaries using their qualities to make something new. I am planning on emailing various companies to see if they can send samples so I can work with these first hand.