Source: John Chilton – Heinz Isler’s Workshop & Studio
This first assignment is a study in exploring physical form-finding techniques of membrane-stress shell structures. This will be achieved through hands-on material form finding studies. Students will work in groups of two (2) to develop an apparatus for generating a series of physical rigid surface models similar to the processes as outlined in the reading by Bechthold and Chilton regarding physical from-finding techniques. Each team’s apparatus must allow for variability of support conditions and configurations. The apparatus should be approximately 24” square capable of generating multiple models.
After making the apparatus each team should develop a series of six (6) models, which achieve different spatial characteristics. In addition to creating each of the models you are to develop a series of analytical diagrams for each of the models which shows how it was developed and how achieves its particular spatial characteristics.
Teams should also be documenting, through both photograph and diagram generally how the apparatus functions as a parametic design tool. You should think of these as instructions.