Meta_Patch

_______________Modulations Symposium, Rice University 2006

Design Team: David Newton + Joe Kellner

Concept_

This experiment was driven by the hypothesis that the material capacity of a system consisting of uniform elements can be employed to achieve variable yet stable configurations with complex curvature through a vast array of local actuations. Initial tests confirmed that a series of very simple rectangular wooden elements fastened to a larger sheet of timber can be deployed as local actuators. Each rectangular element is attached to a larger patch by four bolts, one in each corner. While two of the bolts in opposite corners are permanently fixed and thereby define the length of the diagonal line between them, the other two bolts remain adjustable. Tightening these two bolts increases the distance between the element’s corners and the patch begins to bend. As each larger patch is covered with arrays of elements the incremental induction of curvature results in a global (de)formation. Detailed investigations of the correlation of element and patch variables such as size, thickness and fibre orientation, actuator locations and torque lead to taxonomy of geometric patterns and generated system behaviour. This data enabled scripting the parametric definition, assembly sequence and actuation protocols for a large prototype construction. The derived configuration consists of initially flat, identical timber patches onto which equal elements with actuator bolts are attached on one side. According to the particular distribution of actuator positions the elements are connected to the patches and the patches are assembled into a larger structure with different orientations of the element clad sides. The resulting material system consists of 48 identical patches, 1920 equal elements and 7680 bolts. After assembly the structure is initially entirely flat. Through the subsequent incremental actuation of fastening delineated bolts the structure rises into a stable, self-supporting state with alternating convex and concave curvature. Changes to variables within this actuation protocol allows for articulating and testing multiple emergent states and their inherent performative capacity. As the patches are perforated by drilled hole-patterns the performative modulation of porosity and the adjustment of structural capacity through curvature are intrinsically correlated with the manipulation of the system’s material and geometric behaviour. Developing an integral technique of form generating and making based on the material capacity and local actuation of the system enabled a variable, complex morphology derived through the materiality, geometry and interaction of amazingly simple material elements.