Paul's Sculpture Wall

I started the project with the concept/theme of a sculpture functioning as a wall. The idea is that public sculptures link the older population with the younger (children) population in that they give interests to mature audiences with their artistic appeal, and to the kids with their noticeable design that kids find a way to play around with. This idea fits with the community area, especially since it can be seen from the outside, while it functions as a wall (providing shade, breakinp up spaces, and blocking/restricting the views). The sculpture is not part of a wall, but rather it is a wall functioning as a wall, and as a sculpture. This theme, I thought, also shows a further breeding/merging with the arts and architecture, and merging with playful and more serious design/mood.

First, I created a model with hard paper (easy to cut and fold and move around).







Then, on creating the main "sculpture" I decided to use the fins to create a familiar symbolic image, or rather sculpture. I abstracted the form of a child and the parent to fit into squares (one small one, and another twice the size). I ended up with this design, the sky blue squares represent translucent panels to conceal most of what's behind the wall, while the dark blue represent voided squares which would allow for spaces to inhabit and look out/in to.

Then, I modeled the design in Revit (which helped me produce precise measurements from drawing to model). Here it shows the grid system I used. You can also see how I begin to merge the sculpture system on the left with the more skeletal vertical (rotated) walls, which also have their own fins for the play of light, and solar heating. The orientation of the rotated walls at the right side also limits the view form inside to outside to the trees, (both of my walls are oriented to view the trees (rather than out to the streets) to frame different zen views.



On the right, is a process photo of the opaque materials. You can also see how I put them together, using templates with little cuts that allow the pieces to fit together tightly. Drawing this on Adobe Illustrator for the laser printer to cut, and getting the right precise measurement so that each piece would fit is a real challenge! I ended up having to print multiple times to find out they do not fit, right. You can also see how the sculpture part begins to have lots of different sizes (three verticals are wider, and they go deeper form left to right). Also, the depth varies in location, many go out to make a seating wall, and the higher ones for as small sun shade. This also goes in for a seating wall from the inside, which makes the sculpture inhabitable, and more accessible to play around with, sit on (theres one part where it is 3 feet high seat one could climb on).
The translucent panels are also placed in different places to vary the light effects and to show the skeleton/insides of the sculpture. The panels create a perfect chance to show off the abstracted image, when artificial light is turned on at night.


Here is a view from the inside, showing the details on the stairs and the railings (both of which resemble the template I used for the fins on the non-sculpture side. I thought it creates movement and playfulness that I experimented and went ahead on using them.









The Complete Product:


I really enjoyed this project, and learned a lot with playing additive/subtractive and skeletal vs. mass. I also learned how to use a laser cutter, Adobe Illustrator, and better ways to conserve time. I have relied mostly in the laser cutter to provide a very precise cut. It also made possible for the cutting of intricate designs (like the rails), and other materials, without the wood breaking or chipping (which usually happens when I use a knife). Another thing I wish I handled more carefully, if I had more time, is my craftsmanship (the cutting, and gluing, and handling of the materials).