Fabric Form

We began exploring the potential of pouring a thick solution of water and plaster into the membrane. These tests, realised with nDynamics and finished off in Rhino, consider a play between bulging flexible material and creating a sense of constraint through more rigid components.

The next stage of testing involved a more complex system. Because of the relative success of the glove as formwork in the previous test, we decided to keep it for the time being. However, whereas the first iteration was limited to the individual glove shape, the second introduced connections between gloves. This simple addition brought about a considerable layer of complexity and an idea of network that was interesting, but much more difficult to control.

The third and final iteration sought to condense and rationalise the discoveries from the previous tests. Although the final object was difficult to extract from the latex and eventually broke, at this stage we gained a considerable amount of control over the material and processes compared to the initial output. The final formwork included a three arm membrane to be poured upside-down - eventually ,it should have been interpreted as a dome-like structure, also suitable for a modular production.

Final pour within the formwork. It can be noted how the flat ends of the three legs would be suitable for assembly in a modular fashion. Turning the object upside-down in the desired orientation would create an unusual effect by means of inverting the visual effect of gravity. The most bulged parts would e at the top and sit on thinner legs.