Interdisciplinary Skin ATTEMPT #1

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Interdisciplinary mate: 

Linwei Zhang

Discipline: 

Interior Architecture

Link to his blog:

http://linweizhangbeil0014digialmaking.blogspot.com.au/

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Disciplinary approach differences: 

Interior Architecture: segmenting and grouping (Linwei's approach)
Architecture Studies: overall form then details (my approach)

The two images above are the second attempt from Linwei Zhang. It is not hard to tell that he has a particular devotion towards the level of detail and perfection, which from my limited understanding is crucial in interior architecture (as it is evident in his interdisciplinary skin work). Besides the time and effort required for this level of details, he's approach towards metal shaping starts from small to big.  Starting from segmenting the badminton into top and bottom portions, each portion is treated with care. As demonstrated in the following illustration, and this methodology surely helped me along the process.  

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Steps: 

The lazer cut assembly is measured with a pair of earphone wires and the dimensions are transferred on to a fan shaped aluminium sheet. The contours of the bottom segment are marked as levels on to the sheet. Then the rough curve is bent out by hand. 

Starting by pushing materials upwards from the bottom edge with the sphere metal base and angled wooden hammer. This process takes time and needs to be done gradually so a relatively smooth surface can be achieved (saving time on hammering back those bumps later on). Once the bent line is pushed up to its correct height, stop and make sure the line is straight and horizontal.

The same process is repeated from the top downwards until the two lines join in the middle. 

Since materials are pushed towards the middle section, crinkles form which are especially hard to hammer down to achieve the desired angle between the top and bottom segments. 

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After a few attempts of trimming edges off, the first attempt is deemed as a failure. The overall form has started getting close to the model yet there is no practical way to reduce the material cramped together in the middle in the given time constrain. 

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Summary:

Overall time: 1 day (roughly 6 hours)

Reasons of failure: having trouble moving materials around / didn't fully understand the methodology

Ways to improve: learn from the interdisciplinary partner / mange time more efficiently