Design Build PinUp (Old)

These are pictures from the end of the year show and my design build project. As you recall, my group was assigned to design a partition wall that separated a studio space from the stairs below. We explored methods of digital fabrication to do this, using tools such as the laser-cam and the Grasshopper plug-in for Rhino to accomplish our design intents.


We wanted to create a system that allowed for limited visual and audio connections between each side, but provided a structural barrier to separate each side. The system uses strips of metal and notches them in different locations so that one could slide into another. A weaving pattern is created, creating rigidity in the metal as well as creating a porosity that allows for some connection between each side. This process allows the design to use zero fasteners between strips, becoming a self-sustaining structure. This is one of the reasons I believe that these methods of digital fabrication will soon permeate into the construction world. Below is a mock-up of this system.


This system, when assembled, is then attached to the existing brick wall. A joint is drilled into the brick with a notch, allowing us an easy installation; the system will slide in, the joints will secure every other edge in the metal system, and installation will be complete. Below is a mock-up of the joint.


On the stair side, a curve is generated that mimics the spiral stair which fills the volume below. We had to write a script in Grasshopper which gave us the length between each notch which allowed the curve to exist. The side facing the studio space remains constant, which allows the notches to have a constant distance from the studio side folds. Below is the Grasshopper script, the final cut file for each metal strip, and the rendering from the stair side.






Below is the final presentation. The reviews from the faculty were all positive, and it looks like we will be receiving the necessary funds to build the wall. We need to contact a company which has a water-jet cutter, as our CNC machine will not allow us to cut the metal strips. Hopefully we can iron out all the kinks and get this built before the end of the year.