Project Description
"The World’s Most Flexible Inflatable" continues to explore my ongoing research with pneumatic (air-filled) architecture, but this time with a focused interest in the fabrication of a hyper-flexible, adaptable, and reconfigurable pneumatic structure. Exploiting the lightweight, mobile, and durable nature of sewn fabric inflatables, this design will employ the expertise of a Midwest pneumatic fabricator (Landmark Creations, located in Minneapolis, Minn.), with whom I have established a working relationship. This pneumatic prototype, a series of air-inflated tubes incorporating different fabrics (nylon, cotton, felt, etc,) and fasteners (snaps, magnets, hooks, etc.), will be designed and prototyped by an undergraduate architecture student. Follow up on a new research line of inquiry: How can pneumatics produce maximum effects with minimal means? As part of “Pillow Talk” — a multi-year research, writing, design and teaching endeavor on the past, present and future of pneumatic architecture — this exploration in maximizing flexibility in inflatables will significantly advance the knowledge and understanding of air-filled structures as viable and cost-effective alternatives to conventional modes of building (i.e., wood, steel, masonry, etc.) It should be noted that my work on pneumatics fits into a larger research agenda called “The Temporary,” where I am examining how architects have engaged with the creation of ephemeral works — objects, installations, and performances — and the influence that these non-buildings, as proto-architectures, have had on the discipline.
Tasks and Responsibilites
The student will work to design and prototype a series of air-filled fabric tubes, utilizing different fabrics and fasteners, to be fabricated during the semester by Landmark Creations. These tubes will then be studied for their performance in flexibility – that is, their reconfigurability and adaptability for a variety of uses. The process will be carried out as follows: 1) initial design iterations in the form of physical models (clay) and drawings (diagrams) to explore various configurations of the pneumatic tubes [3 weeks]; 2) development of digital models to obtain initial pricing from fabricator [1 week]; 3) revise design to maximize flexibility of the inflatable tubes within the allocated fabrication budget [2 weeks]; 4) work with fabricator to explore fabric and fastening options for the pneumatic tubes [1 week]; 5) while the tubes are being fabricated, develop a series of illustrative diagrams to demonstrate the number of ways the tubes can be reconfigured for a variety of different uses [2-3 weeks]; 6) when fabrication is complete, document (time-lapse photography and video) the flexibility of the inflatable tubes and how they can be used for a maximum number of configurations and uses [2 weeks]; and 7) complete documentation of the project, and upload to website and social media [2 weeks].
Desired Qualifications
None Listed