Modular Clocks

The project was to design a clock. My respond to it is, as always, was: What is it's function?

What is the purpose of a clock? Is it merely to tell time? And if so, to who and where?
Telling time to a person sleeping in their bed is entirely different than telling time to a train station filled with people.

Also, What is Time? If human's didn't have consciousness would we feel time? Would it then "Exist"?
Is time moving from Now to Then? Or are we moving form Now to Then?


These questions lead me in the Concept Development phase of my project.

A sculptural approach to the design of a clock. To attract your eyes to tell you the time.

A cone clock. It measures with different increments. This idea plays with the multi-layered aspect of time as we consider it.

A ruler clock. A minimalist spin on the "measurability" of time. The time ruler would shift from left to right, using the center line as the dial. Which brings to mind the question: Is time moving? or de we?

I'm not sure what the top left and bottom left are. lol But the one on the right is considering the possibility of a clock from a different location. This used clock is horizontally, it's dials poke up so the user can see (and read) the time from it's horizontal layout.

A cone with a subtle cut, using the surface as the face to tell time. A cube with cushioning lumps, so when the alarm goes off it wont break as you throw it across the room. lol

(Left) A clock that separates Hour and Minute.

(Right) An abstraction of a log of wood. Separating Hour, Minute, Second.

The functional and modular potential of clocks by molding standard sided sheets of wood.

Modular potential of molded plywood sheets:

Out of the many forms possible, I selected 3 to render by hand and show as the finished products.

A fun project, definitely exercised my drawings skills, and made me realize how much there is to explore about a given subject (in this case time). It's pretty amazing how many ideas can derive from questioning a seemingly obvious subject.

More posts coming up. Thanks for listening.  :)

Emergent: Tape Cave

When you think of how you build with Brick you quickly get an idea of what is possible, and what isn't. The same is true with Wood, or Steel, or any other conventional building material. But what about an Unconventional building material, like Tape? The idea behind this project was to explore the structures that would emerge when building with an unconventional material such as Tape.

Projects Requirements: 

- Must respond to the physical conditions of the site.

- It must be inhabitable by at least 1 person at a time.

- The only usable building material is Tape (any type).

- Structure must be quickly assembled on site.

- Must be shippable. 

Original Sketch:

The sketch shows the idea of suspending people, with a viewer within.

Study Model:

This was the first of many study models. It was used to get a better understanding of the Tape as a building material. It quickly showed me how much influence the site (where ever we choose to build it) will have on the end result.

An interior space shows the potential spaces that can be created with Tape.

Putting light to the study model, changing the way we perceive it.

Study Model (Larger scale):

An 8' frame where a bigger tape study model was wrapped around.

Using Scotch 2.5mm Packaging Tape. This stuff is expensive but really tough, and would be perfect to create the "framework" of the structure.

A more developed framework.

Once framework was in place, the "skin" comes next. This quickly got expensive, and suggested the possibility of using different tapes. (Tough and expensive for the "framework", Weak and inexpensive for the "skin")

Again, doing a light test.

A creeper. lol

A picture of the interior spaces created. Much better.

 Site + Model:

Once there was a site the project completely changed. I used Saran warp to simulate tape at a smaller scale.

A 1/8" = 1'0" model of project.

The Framework.

In order to transport the project to the site, and build it time efficiently, the structure was compartmentalized and built off-site.

A Plan & Section Drawing of the project at 1/4" = 1'0".

 The Tape Cave:

These are the pictures taken at night. The project attracted to much attention at our school, that we where allowed to keep it far beyond the time originally given. The project used

A user in the belly of the beast.

A student checking it out.

A close up of the Framework and Skin.

The mouth of the cave.

This was an amazing experience for me. Designing, developing, building, and documenting this project was a blast. Definitely a great experience.

More posts to come.

Thanks for listening. :)

Cardboard Chair

The project was about listening to a material's characteristics for cues that would lead you in the design process of a chair. The idea was to understand the influence a material has on the process, and the end result. The material being explored was Cardboard.

Project requirements were:

- Chair must be made of SINGLY ply cardboard.
- Each chair must be made with ONLY ONE 4'x8' sheet of cardboard.
- NO tape, staples, glues or any other adhesives. ONLY cardboard.
- Chair must be ergonomically correct for an adult.
- Chair must support AT LEAST 200 pounds.


The initial sketch.

Even at this premature state, the idea of a single and continues piece of cardboard is evident.

 Material Information.

Cardboard has strength only in compression, not in tension. Also, the application of the compression must be done parallel to the corrugations.

 Assembly.

 Through folding and locking we create "X" joints that give the chair stability and strength. The final locking folds go over the "X" joints, creating the sitting surfaces.

The side view shows where three plains connect. This concave is the primary lock, and the sitting support.

The "X" fold that fortifies the back support.

This project definitely taught me a lot! I had a lot of fun developing it, and it inspired me to develop other pieces of furniture using similar techniques and materials. Stay tuned for those.

Thank you for listening.

Design to me.

To me Design is not about looks, it's not about style, it's not even about a physical thing. Design is a process, in which every phase is coordinated to achieve a particular goal, to ultimately satisfy a particular need. To me Design is inherently innovative. To me Design isn't organized, isn't clean, but is always logical. To me Design is not about the manipulation of form, or the manipulation of materials, or the implication of an individual's desire to force an outcome. To me Design is about listening to the circumstances and translating those circumstances into a solution. To me Design is a lifestyle, not a career.