28.09.2010 Tamaki Session

After several days, we finally finished our rough 1:1 tubic form of our structure.

This size of section was originally planned to be placed in the middle, but we realised it will be tough to have a changing module of different triangular shapes. Thus we will be keeping it simple to one isoceles triangle module- 2m base width, 1m height.

18.09.2010 Tamaki Session

Uni started again so we haven't had much time to upload on to our blog.

So just a brief update of what has been happening :

- For the second half of the semeseter our whole design group has moved to Tamaki Campus for more space and room to build our 1:1 skyrise.
- Our group has been looking for more sponsorship and wants to thanks 3M for their generosity and big help with double sided tape.

- We also want to thankyou Flexilight NZ for their generous offer and discounts with our lighting samples.

- Right now we are trying to test out how to make a net for the inflated tubes so the whole design becomes an integral module and not separate.

- Also we sorted out a bouncy castle blower! Yay! a 2 horse power one which is quite strong. Now we need to think about hiring a generator for the night

Tamaki Group spaceMasked Plan Door Masked Table and Toilet PlansLight samples from Flexi LightsAir Blower for Bouncy Castle 2HP3M double sided tapeSewing plastic tubes. Thanks Ming for lending us your sewing machine!

Sequence of blowing up emergency blanket1:1 scale of Inflated tubes and ConnectionLOL- this is what a Buff Cameron looks like Thank you Alex for your support XD Torturing the Dispicable Me toy on the air blower



Thanks for your support @ The Triangle Collective !

08.10.2010 Studio Session

After a week's break from design, we started working on our project again. Through out this period we have been constantly looking for sponsors to help out with the costs for our project.

We made a 1:10 model of our skyrise and used a hair dryer to inflate the model. We found out that unfortunately, even though we had sewn pieces of triangular emergency blankets together, the shaped would not be kept when it is inflated and becomes cylindrical because there isn't a backbone structure for the tensegrity- prism shape.

Also because the blanket material is so light, it cannot stand upright by itself. We might need to slot in sand bags at the bottom to make it more heavier.

Here are some exterior and interior photos of the model with fairy lights inserted inside. The space is not dark enough to create and intensifying effect, but we can still see spots of the LED bulbs like fireflies. So to keep the tensegrity shape we are going to use a structure of continuous inflatable tubes to act as a backbone. The emergency blanket will still be sewn on to each sides so the model still looks similar, except the strips of white fabric will be inflated into tubes instead of the whole volume so that people can still go inside and not let the air leak out.

We need to test out whether we can insert the fairylights or ropelights into the tubes and also have air blown in to inflate. We are looking at Panda Blowers like the ones used for jumpy castles, and also clear polythene plastic for the tubes instead of the white fabric.

We'll have more testing soon once semester break is over.

Special Mention to TensegrityWiki

We suddenly came across the TensegrityWiki blog http://tensegritywiki.blogspot.com/ . It's sort of like a worldwide online community where they collect numerous different types of information around the world that deals with tensegrity ideas and theories.

A special thanks to TensegrityWiki for mentioning our project on their latest blog post.
Thanks!
http://tensegritywiki.blogspot.com/2010/09/tensegrity-tower-in-emergency-blanket.html

Sponsorship Booklet

Below are the pages inside the sponsorship booklet that will be sent to suppliers for different materials and hopefully we will be able to get some replies back about sponsorship. Fingers crossed!

03.09.2010 Studio Sessions

The first week of the semester break has just ended and after coming to studio for 4 days, we've finally reached a final proposition that we would like to aim for and acheive.

Our new proposal keeps the same triangular formation as all previous modules. We want to keep the same prism-like shape formed by the tensegrity structures, but without the actual tensegrity units to hold the shape. The tensegrity idea was too dominant and did not merge in with the skin to make the structure as a whole. Therefore our solution to holding up the structure is to use inflation, blowing air into our skyrise.

Continuing with before, we will be sewing triangular pieces of emergency blankets together and also pleating them to give them strength. The connections of each triangular will be through strips of white fabric. The white fabric allows light to go through, and during the night this will act as a lead to attract people towards our skyrise.

There will be numerous levels, around 10, of these triangles and will be connected through zips that run horizontally between each level. At the end, the module will have a triangular-cylindrical appearance held up by inflation.

Fairy Lights will be threaded in between the white strips of fabric so the whole structure will be one. Sandbags will be sewed and wrapped at the bottom to keep the structure heavy towards the floor so it would not fall over.

We still need to test different methods of inflation which will be very interesting to see how it turns out.

In due course, we will need to start finding sponsorships for materials. This includes emergency blankets, lighting, zips, white fabric, thread, needles, sewing machines, fans, air blowers.

23.08.2010 Mid Semester Crit

After the jury presentation, we realised we had to make our project more precise. The problem with the project was with what we wanted to acheive, and what materials we needed to achieve that as well as how it will hold up 8m. So after a while of discussion, we have chosen to use "Emergency Blanket" materials its is similar to Tin foil in terms of appearance and reflectivity, it is also more delicate and less easy to tear as much. The best thing about these blanket materials is the opacity of the skin against light. It becomes totally transparent on one side, and totally reflective on the other. This light effect will be what we wanted to acheive where we can see the occupants inside our skyrise.

To hold these blankets up however, we needed to use a structure to support them because they are so light. We came up with Tensegrity Structures where they come in units, different levels that we can transport them easily to the sheds. The emergency blanket will be sewed and pleated at the edges to allow the tensegrity Tension unit threaded through. This will be in the form of high tensile fishing wire. The compression units will be revealed inside our structure, made of dowel wood and fluorescent light tubes will be attached on to them.

Each of these unit will be prefabricated and taken to the site. At the connections of each of the emergency blankets, we will be sewing zips to the edge when it can zip up the gaps. The entrance of the skyrise will be a triangular prism where the blankets will be pleated like curtains that can retract and cover up.

For our Midsemester Crit we printed off a strip of 3 A1s showing plans, section, elevation, details and perspective. We also produced a 1:1 detail of the curtain entrance and a 1:20 model along with other working models.