Option Studio: The Upcycle Studio
Instructor: Peter Ortner
To offer a glimpse into a sustainable future, the Uplift Pavilion showcases the potentials of adopting an upcycling culture. Besides being an exhibition space for recycled materials, the pavilion aims to be a living example of how upcycling does not equal settling for less. How can the upcycled airplane windows value add and be key to creating impactful experiences within the pavilion.
Designing the Experience
External – An inviting form that encourages the visitors to explore the spaces and the displays within
Transition – Feather-like windows that populate the frame seemingly embrace the visitor as he/she walks through
Internal – Windows offer an array of surprising effects, creating transformative experiences
Form Finding
We leaned towards the creation of visually energetic curved forms that offers changing views into the pavilion, expressing our hopes for a better future where we upcycle in new and imaginative ways. The presence of the windows breathes life into both the interior and the exterior.
Role of the windows
(click to enlarge)
Circularity Narrative
Cradle-to-cradle (C2C), also referred to as regenerative design, is a philosophy that works with materials and energy utilizing a circular model. We aim to design a model that follows the idea of generating either ‘biological nutrients’ which can go back into the soil, or ‘technical nutrients’, which can be reused effectively in various assembly forms.
Upcycling airport windows redirects them away from the existing linear economy. Through our fabrication interventions such as CNC routing, they become irreplaceable to our design – providing unique moments and value adding to the experiences.
Circularity Diagram (click to enlarge)
Use of renewable energy (click to enlarge)
Our pavilion also explores itself as a medium to manipulate renewable energy, creating a chain-like relationship between the environment, pavilion and artifact. On a bigger scale, how can we forge and design a relationship between the environment, architectural intervention and human activities.
The Pavilion
Arrangements (click to enlarge)
Fabrication Process
The main investigations consist of joint system, clipping and rotating mechanism and the modification of the airplane windows.
Joint System (Frame)
More images from original source here.
Through rapid prototyping and trials-and-errors, we designed a joint system that allows the complex angles in our curved structure without compromising its structural integrity.
Fabricating the Window Hinges
More images from original source here.
A clipping and rotating mechanism was designed to allow the windows to be moved around the frame and positioned at varying angles. This gives the pavilion a playful visual and interactivity, adding on to its liveliness.
More images from original source here.
With the help of 3D scanning technology and reference photos, we modelled the rotating hinges to mount the windows onto the frame using CAD software. We worked towards a strong form that would fit and secure the window seamlessly while looking as visually lightweight as possible. They were then fabricated using a mixture of both resin SLA and PLA FDM printers in order to optimise the time taken and achieve the precision required for the individual parts.
Routing the Windows
More images from original source here.
Through CNC routing, the properties of the windows are enhanced. We explored different kinds of interesting effects: magnifying objects, directing light from surrounding, distorting reality, surprising textures etc.
More images from original source here.
Assembly
More images from original source here.
We assembled the pavilion in a modular manner – screwing each pair of V frames to their respective truss. We then start to attach the modules bottom-up, allowing the pavilion to be self-supportive as we build the curved structure upwards from its base. The window hinges are then assembled and clipped onto the structure with the windows attached.
Physical Model
More images from original source here.
Extensibility
We envision the pavilion’s frame structure to be readapted into a building facade that directs and diffuses light according to the arrangement of the windows. The facade also acts as an elegant component that helps to define and give unique architectural aesthetics to the building.
More images from original source here.
We envision the pavilion’s frame structure to be readapted into a building facade that directs and diffuses light according to the arrangement of the windows. The facade also acts as an elegant component that helps to define and give unique architectural aesthetics to the building.
The windows, acting as lenses, would be able to spread or focus the light, enabling for an array of different lighting conditions with corresponding indoor thermal comfort (depending on the position of the sun). Reimagining the previously explored effects on a larger scale, we feel that the natural light could be similarly directed/casted in interesting ways, affecting the brightness and ambiance of the internal space in a playful manner. They could potentially create light waypoints or paths to direct visitors to key locations, or even simply create an ethereal experience with the shifting shadows and lights.
More images and videos from original source: http://asd.courses.sutd.edu.sg/option-studio-one/2021/12/23/uplift-joshua-ng-rachel-cheah/
