In our last class we gathered together all of our ideas and work into a series of models and a 200 word statement to present. This 200 word statement was to explain the thinking behind the project and the key concepts that we are focusing on and why we are making what we are doing.
My 200 word statement
Taking the metaphorical meaning of “home” and how this is a place or thing that evokes a feeling, a connection, or a belonging. I have used this meaning alongside the terms; reconstitute, subtract, and substitute to generate a series of developing modular models. These models are tests of different ways in which materials can be manipulated/subtracted to create a vessel for a nomad. A structure or object that has undergone reconstitution to be able to be flattened and transported from place to place and reconstructed/inflated when the nomad wishes.
- Substitute
- Person or thing acting in place of another
- Vessel becomes nomads travelling “home”
- Subtract
- To withdraw or takeaway
- Nomad is someone without a fixed “home”
- Reconstitute
- To constitute again, reconstruct
- Process of changing material properties
We laid out our work to present in the class and we did a somewhat silent critique session for our upcoming formative assessment. Presenting our 200 word statement and a brief explanation of the models we have created. The rest of the class were then asked to write down their feedback on pieces of paper and put these into an envelope next to the persons work. This feedback is positive and constructive feedback that the person can use to generate more ideas taking their project forward.
This feedback I was really looking forward to because I feel like the tunnel I was going down to create my ideas in the 3D words was really narrowing down what I was doing and cutting out what I wanted to be looking into. I was also looking forward to this feedback as a way to help me see my project through other peoples eyes, see how they interpret what I have been making and see if this relates to how I was making. Is my idea clear enough?
I had a lot of feedback about my current research question (How can waste and offcut materials be used to create light weight modular “homes” for a nomadic person?) and how this needs to be fleshed out more to help narrow down and add specifics to what it is I am researching and what my research area encompasses. Helping me think about the political, cultural, social and historical values that underpin my research.
As one of my key concepts is creating something that is light weight and modular I was also given a lot of feedback about areas that I could research to get ideas of different ways existing designers have addressed and approached these issues and what their outcomes have been, and how successful they were.
- Sibling architecture
- Shigeru Ban- Japanese Architect
- Chairs at the MoMA
- Geodesic structures
- Cardboard house
- Cardboard tents, used as festivals
- Kinetic sculptures
- To what extent does math inform this design?
- In a minute table – object
- “Nanny bag for nursing mum”
- Explore the idea of a “vessel” more in terms of “home”
- Yes – modular and compact, but how does this relate to “home” and sense of place?
- Origami building? Joining?
- What does home mean to a nomad?
- Durational? Allow for mark making of experiences, wear over time to show love and use?
- Collection of memories important?
- Is this origami approach practical?
- Larger scale prototypes
- Wearable by the user?
- Folds up into a bag?
- What are my major and underpinning influences
- Product be environmentally friendly?
- Can these structures/objects be added to/renovated?
It was also nice to see that some people were creating a connection I had not got to just yet, how the material properties and the scale of thing I was making relate to the scale of a human body, do they upscale, downscale or stay the same but there is just many more of them to create a large structure.
I also found it really interesting how people were more likely to engage with my models when I was explaining them and showing how they work, for me this was very exciting as this human centered approach to my project and I need human interaction for the project to be successful.
Georgia Christina Grace 