Spine-Form: Structure, Form and Tensile Fabric

Sara Prashant Karia

BD2008

This project aimed to explore the interwoven qualities of how structure and form unite using tensile fabric, cane and fabrication techniques like 3D Printing or Laser Cutting. This led to the creation of dynamic forms which were then pushed further to achieve Double-Curved Forms and Surfaces. The active bending and structural integrity of cane, elasticity of tensile fabric and structural properties of 3D Printed Patterns, brought forth a demonstration of a Lightweight, Cushiony, Wearable Recliner. This project explored the Form Finding process through anthropometry and pattern generation.

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Understanding the material properties, capabilities, constraints and replicating the forms using grasshopper as a tool.

On 3D Printing on tensile fabric, deformation occurs. This gives way to undulating, dynamic forms. These can be controlled by various patterns and parameters.

On adding a structural member like cane, which has active bending properties of its own, the forms have stronger deformations. They are also structurally more sound.

In this system, double curved surfaces, as shown before, are achieved with an understanding of how the cane member will react with the fabric at what point. In addition to that, the patterns undulate the surface in predictable ways.

Cane is used as a medium to ideate volumes of fabric and patterns for a wearable recliner.

Major Contact Points are identified and further catered to in the last iteration.

This tubular structure takes away from the essence of the explorations done at the beginning. Hence a form which uses the properties of the system followed.

The recliner has achieved a stable form using cane of diameter 6mm. This along with the fabric allows the user to have a cushiony and compressible recliner.

Technical Drawings