Spring 2018 | Fundamentals of Computational Design | advised by Daniel Cardoso, Ardavan Bidgoli | in collaboration with: John Butler, Shirley Chen, Lee Chu, Cathy Dong, Christoph Eckrich, Vanshika Gandotra, Owen Haft
The objective of this project is to explore a design-to-material workflow through innovative material research and experimentation. Lux Pavilion consists of a series of light columns, varying in scale. These individual columns will be broken up into modules, which will be fab- ricated with a 2.5-axis CNC router. After the modules have been produced, a robotic arm will be utilized in weaving fibers around each of the molds. The individual light columns are based on a rounded square, which is scaled in size to create the silhouette and rotated throughout the entire length of the light (see diagram below). LED lights will be situated within the top of the light column, and because of the nature of the composite material light will diffuse throughout the structure and shine through the individ- ual fibers of the column. Ideally, this light column can be replicated and mass-produced at different scales as lights or also as pavilions. This pavilion can be used as entrance for a museum, restaurant, or art gallery, and these individual lighting columns can be arraged to create paths to direct people go through the pavilion and reach the entrance their destinations.
The mold was created using foam and a CNC machine and were manually post-processed after. We then assembled the three molds into three modular pieces. The mold was prepped with aluminum tape and wax and were fixed onto a spinning table to be wrapped. The mixed resin with activator was applied while wrapping the berglass string. Three modular pieces were then connected using berglass string and resin using the same technique. The final product was assembled and then an LED light was put inside of it.
