jacob alsop

wewanttolearn.netjacobalsop.com

ds10

Port-folio

Contents01_S warms

02_ Understanding the Swarm03_ Representing the Swarms

04_ Individual and collective power of a Swarm05_ System 2: Exploring the fragile structure of a Diatom Frustule

06_ System 2: Understanding the expansion potential of a Diatom Frustule07_ Hot wax in water time lapse

08_ Products of the hot wax in water experiments09_ Adding obstacles to the process

10_ Adding further control to the flow of wax11_ 3D scaning and sectioning the wax structure

12_ Hot wax and ice experiments13_ Hot wax water surface solidification process

14_ Experiments in the digital replication of water rippled wax15_ Wax making experiments to explore strength and melting points

16_ Casting a plaster negative & resin replica17_ Developing a concept wax-component prototype

18_ Wax formed concrete panel: The fabrication process19_ Concrete panel realised fabrication process images20_ Concrete panel realised fabrication process images

21_ Scaled up physical models demonstrating their experiential qualities22_ WikiWax processess & products

23_ WikiWax environmental composite walls24_ Wiki or beyond...Questioning the open source potential of this system

25_WaxForms_ A business alternative selling beautiful wax formed products

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^ Flocking starlings - the emergence of stunning and unique patterns

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01_ Swarms

seek

avoid

AXO

PLAN

ELEVATION

^ Digital simulation of the swarm, understanding the parameters which control their movement

RULES:1. Remain in contact with 7 neighbours2. Avoid collisions3. Move in the same direction as neighbour4. Remain close to neigbour5. Rotate time spent on the edge

jacob alsop _ ds10

1.Take off as a tight group from initial grid of birds

2.Take off as a tight group

3.Swoop and divide to avoid ‘obstacle’

4.Secondary group

5.Regrouping & sharp turn to remain within bounding box

^ Proximity distance 1 ^ Proximity distance 2 ^ Proximity distance 3 ^ Proximity distance 4 ^ Proximity distance 5

02_ Understanding the Swarm

^ Physically representing the flock. Thread was used to signify the 7 closest birds

^ The model begins to show a flowing form, however lacks the natural emergence of the swarm system

jacob alsop _ ds10

^ Digital model of a swarm with planar surfaces arrayed along an agents flight path, simulating a fluid appearance through planar elements

^ Extruded flight path ^ Cone between to positions along the flight path ^ Planar array along flight path ^ Alternative flight parameters extruded ^ Alternative flight parameters extruded

^ Extruded flight path with the extrusion distance increasing from take off point

03_ Representing the Swarm

jacob alsop _ ds10

^ I manually drilled the holes, calculating the angles from the drawing. Ideally this would be achieved using a CNC milling for higher accuracy. > This drawing showing the drilling angles for the model.

04_ Individual and collective power of a Swarm

^ By rotating the finished panel you are able to see the change in light allowed through and the resultant patterns formed jacob alsop _ ds10

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3.Girdle joints- allowing for expansion

1.Perforation- varied and seemingly chaotic

Qualities of interest:

2.Component- repeated element

4.Structural Layering-More efficient way to disperse loading?

05_ System 2: Exploring the fragile structure of a Diatom Frustule

^ Paralia Sulcata Diatom Frustule

^ Structural layering

^ Using fluid analysis to understand the vertical variance in structural penetrability

^ 3D model of the Diatom Frustule using Rhino and Grasshopper

^ Close up of the structural girdle joints ^ The top of a Paralia Sulcata Diatom Frustule

16.14m/s

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jacob alsop _ ds10

^ 1. Newly released cell ^ 2. Uniaxial growth of the cell by sliding apart ^ 3. Completion of the Thecae ^ Daughter cell begins to separate ^ Frustules forming a colony

^ Frustule from above. Through further analysis I hope to demonstrate its compressional strength ^ Panel perforations softened using Weaver Bird plug in ^ Varied size of perforations could allow greater access to light/views in certain areas whilst then protecting and providing additional structure in others

06_ System 2: Understanding the expansion potential of a Diatom Frustule

jacob alsop _ ds10

07_ Hot wax in water time lapseThis process came about through experimenting with hot wax in water as a method for simulating some of the patterns found in swarms. Rather than pouring wax into the water, this process instead works by dropping a jar full of hot wax into a container filled with cold water.

jacob alsop _ ds10

08_ Products of the hot wax in water experiments

^ As the hot wax rises to the waters surface it solidifies forming amazing structures as it does so jacob alsop _ ds10

09_ Adding obstacles to the process

^ Here I added obstacles when dropping the ‘wax bombs’ to see how the hot wax flows reacted on their route to the waters surface. See ‘learn’ booklet for further experiments jacob alsop _ ds10

10_ Adding further control to the flow of wax

^ In this experiment the aim was to try and confine the wax flow to a desired path and therefore show some degree of control in an otherwise natural process. jacob alsop _ ds10

11_ 3D scanning and sectioning the wax structure

^ 3D scan made into a mesh and sectioned to explore the sectional variation ^ This section through the base of a physical model reveals the introcate details of the wax which form when engulfed with water

jacob alsop _ ds10

^ 1. With this experiment I poured hot wax into a tray filled with ice cubes.First I used similar size cubes.Result: Varied structure thickness with linking cavities, lighter overall feel

^ 2. Varied size composite of ice allowed to settle naturally. Result: Varied cavity size and structure thickness. Some areas incredibly fragile. Note uneven settle of varying size aggregates.

^ Process photos showing the container filled with ice cubes before hot wax is poured over.

12_ Hot wax and ice experiments

jacob alsop _ ds10

13_ Hot wax water surface solidification process

^ Hot wax is poured out onto the surface of cold water. The wax is then solidified by pushing waves of water over the wax and in doing so it forms amazing patterns

^ The process was repeated several times using different techniques for forcing the waves from varying directions. Each produced unique patterns reminiscent of the earlier study of swarms.

jacob alsop _ ds10

14_ Experiments in the digital replication of water rippled wax

^ These were produced by setting base wave lines and then using grasshopper to form the ripples using the Sine curve. By adjusting the parameters, an array of different results were created. This digital process could be used to then CNC mill timber panels which are inspired by the wax formations

^ Exploring different parameters. The results however are still very different to the formations created by the water and wax.

jacob alsop _ ds10

Pariffin Candle wax

• Thin liquid once melted• very fragile structure

• Similar form to #1• appears slighly stronger

100% Glass waxComposition

Observations • fails to rise once drop in water• too viscous • strong once solid

50% Pariffin Candle wax

• White appearance, less like conventional wax

• Seems stronger than #1• flows stick together resulting in

simpler structure

40% Pariffin Candle wax

• Higher viscosity • flows solidified before reaching

the water surface

50% Glass wax 40% Glass wax

20% Amber Rosin

Pariffin Candle wax

Amber Rosin++ +

+

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15_ Wax making experiments to explore strength & melting points

jacob alsop _ ds10

^ Cover wax model in plaster ^ Cut model in half to expose wax

^ Heat to melt out wax ^ Fill plaster negative with resin ^ Sacrifice plaster model to remove resin

^ Resultant resin replica. The resin was too brittle for the rest of the model^ Removing the resin from the plaster was a difficult and time consuming process

^ The plaster actually absorbed some of the melted wax making it weaker

^ The plaster was easily sectioned using the bandsaw, revealing the wax embedded within

^ Original wax model

^ Original wax model

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16_ Casting a plaster negative & resin replica from the wax

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jacob alsop _ ds10

Drop wax filled box with wax constraining backing board into the water container

Let the wax rise up and solidify within the water

Take one of the component drops and combine with others, probably needing timber support

Pour melted wax into the timber form work to build wax constraint panel

^ Proposed Wax panel

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17_ Developing a concept wax-component prototype

jacob alsop _ ds10

18_ Wax formed Concrete panel: The fabrication process

Pour the Wax onto the surface of the water, simultaneously setting the ripples going

Drain the water once the wax has been fully covered and solidified

Potentially add sand beneath parts of the water as support, before pouring concrete onto the wax formation.

Pat the concrete down to remove bubbles. Allow to solidify for 24 hours.

Unscrew boxing

Info(approx):

Quantity of wax= 3kgWax mixture= 30% glass wax, 60% Parrifn & 10% Amber RosinWax cost= £12Totol cost= £35Feasibility issues = Potential need for reinforcements for larger panels

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^ Resultant negative concrete cast

^ Original rippled wax panel

jacob alsop _ ds10

^ Build a plywood box and half fill with water ^ Melt the various waxes down ready for pouring ^ Carefully remove the now solid wax and drain the water

^ Once the concrete had cured for a week the plywood sides were removed

^ The melting wax helped to fuel the fire which quickly melted the wax. However this process did destroy any hope of reusing the wax

^ The hot wax is poured onto the waters surface. Waves of water are then carefully forced over the wax to solidify it, creating amazing patterns

^ I next mixed up a three parts sand and one part cement mixture of concrete and poured it onto the wax

^ Initially I tried pouring boiling water over the wax to melt it off but the process was slow and highly inefficient. So instead I made a fire

^ The wax is now secured in the box, with the edge redefined to fit the size of the wax

^ In turning this over you can see where the concrete broke through the wax in places

^ I then placed sand in the base of the box to help support the wax when placed back in for the casting process

^ From the side you can see the sectional build up- supporting sand, the wax form and then the concrete cast.

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19_ Concrete panel fabrication process images

jacob alsop _ ds10

20_ Concrete panel fabrication process images

jacob alsop _ ds10

21_ Scaled up physical models demonstrating their experiential qualities

^ Negative plaster cast from the rippled wax

^ Plaster cast over wax model forming a composite ^ Suggesting light qualities of the rippled wax panel jacob alsop _ ds10

+ Timber+ Screws+ Wax+ Ice cube trays (or alternative)+ Cement+ Sand+ Water+ Resin

* Dimensions of table* Density, size and shape of wax cubes within the concrete * Colour of resin

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Build box for desired table size out of cheap plywood Make wax cubes by pouring melted wax into ice cube trays

Put the cubes in hot water to add variation in size, then use to fill the box, shaking around to get a random pattern but even distribution

Mix the concrete- 3 parts sand to 1 concrete. Add varying aggregates depending on desired appearance. Pour the concrete over

the cubes, filling the box to the top

Let the concrete cure for a week to ensure a stable strength before melting out the wax- this can be done over a fire, or using hot

water

Put the now void ridden concrete panel back into the box and pour in the resin. This will set within 5 minutes. Make the legs through the

same process

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Ingredients: Product variables:

22_ WikiWax processes & products

W Wikaxi W Wikaxi

Wax Form

Brick BrickLight CandleSculpture Panel PanelChair Chair

Concrete & resin table

Concrete Component Composite Component

Table

jacob alsop _ ds10

23_ WikiWax environmental composite walls

Hot

pip

es

Wax capsule wall: Wax tube wall:

Wax brick wall:Wax embedded glass:

Glass/ plastic tubes are filled with wax, some of which then have hot water pipes running through. The idea here is that when the hot water is running the wax begins to soften, in doing so becoming more transparent. This adds variation across the tube wall/ facade as varying light is let through.

Concept description:

Concept description: Concept description:

Concept description:

Two sheets of glass have a layer of wax embedded within. Within this layer there are either pipes of metal wires that become hot melting the wax around them. This then has the effect of an increased transparency along where these pipes are. The system therefore allows a pattern to emerge once heat is applied.

This brick would be embedded with a sculptural wax form, which when light shines through would make amazing patterns. The fluid nature of wax would mean that their form would constantly be in flux.

Concrete bricks with thin wax capsules within. When exposed to direct sunlight the wax will begin to melt and in doing so becomes more transparent, letting in more light. Depending on the fall of the light, the wall could potentially form a swarm of variation across it, helping to retain some of the suns energy whilst also being architecturally interesting.

jacob alsop _ ds10

24_ Wiki or beyond...Questioning the open source potential of this system

Wax & Composite material research

Wax & Composite material research

RESEARCHWikiWax

Open Source

Protected knowledge

Users changes results in different

products

KNOWLEDGESKILL & INDIVIDUAL INTERPRETATION INNOVATIONPROCESS

RESEARCHPRIVATE

BUSINESS PRODUCT CUSTOMERPROCESS

Different products and new ideas beyond the inital concept

This innovation can then feed back into the inital research process

Standardised process Purchasable item

Wax & Composite material research

Wax & Composite material research

RESEARCHWikiWax

Open Source

Protected knowledge

Users changes results in different

products

KNOWLEDGESKILL & INDIVIDUAL INTERPRETATION INNOVATIONPROCESS

RESEARCHPRIVATE

BUSINESS PRODUCT CUSTOMERPROCESS

Different products and new ideas beyond the inital concept

This innovation can then feed back into the inital research process

Standardised process Purchasable item

W Wikaxi W Wikaxi

WaxForms©

Open Source

The options:

Private copyrighted business

Open Source but protected form big companies

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If someone wants to make an item then they have the information available to do so. This could be particularly relevant for the environmental products which could act as a cheap DIY alternative for those that can afford to buy specialist systems.

The nature of the WikiWax processes is one that is not easy to assemble, they are not items of necessity and wouldn’t be built as a collective. These are just some of the reasons why the systems developed not naturally lend them to be a Wiki. As beautiful items they should instead be made into unique designer products and sold.

This approach allows for both systems to operate. Individuals can make their own table for example or develop and modify the processes, allowing for innovation and growth. But also products can be patented and sold. Through this strategy architecture is open to 100% of the population rather than 1%.

WIKI- A Web site developed collaboratively by a community of users, allowing any user to add and edit content.

WIKI-HOUSE is an open source construction set which allows anyone to design, download, and print CNC milled houses and components which can be easily assembled.

WIKI-WAX is they proposed construction set which allows people to as with wikihouse download manuals and information on how to make their own products. Although the final product is not constructed form CNC timber, this could be used as part of the form-work structure.

1. DOWNLOAD REQUIRED COMPONENTS2. CREATE MILLING DRAWINGS3. PURCHASE MATERIALS AND SEND TO CNC MACHINE4. SET OUT PARTS TO BE ASSEMBLED5. BEGIN FIXING PRIMARY FRAME6. RAISE THE STRUCTURE WITH AID OF FRIENDS7. INSERT CONNECTORS TO STABILISE STRUCTURE8. INSERT SECONDARY CONNECTORS9. FIX INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CLADDING10. THE STRUCTURE IS NOW READY FOR INSULATION AND SERVICES

jacob alsop _ ds10

WaxForms©

• Dynamic environmenal systems marrying sustainability with beauty

• Lightweight composite materials from furniture to architecture

“Beautifully unique wax formed products”

25_ WaxForms_ A business alternative selling wax formed products

jacob alsop _ ds10