DESIGN NAME: Parametric Pendant
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Pendant light
INSPIRATION: The Parametric Pendant was inspired by variation and ideation as a formal quality. I wanted to make something efficiently, but which would produce infinitely unique results thereby enhancing a product's appeal through its individuality.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: I created the Parametric Pendant as a response to the tendencies of machine work and hand craft to excel at fast, perfect replicas and labour intensive individuals respectively. The result is a remarkably warm and comfortable process that capitalizes on an easily modifiable parameter while allowing for a system of making that produces unique yet formally related results.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: The copper shells are formed using a grasshopper script and a little bit of hand assembly. Beginning in the computer a script specifies five polygons at set distances from each other and with specific radii. Around this wireframe a vessel is generated and then has gaps cut away from its edges. These sections are then joined by mechanical connections. A single section is unrolled in to a flat pattern and water jet cut as many times as required for the complete vessel before being folded together.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: This project began in March of 2014 in Providence, RI and was finished in December of 2014 in Brooklyn, NY.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Lighting Products and Fixtures Design
|
PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The patterns are water jet cut out of sheet copper and hand folded in to their 3D forms. A smoke grey glass bubble is blown in to this shell and as the molten glass and copper interact they form a single object; the glass reacting to the shape it is expanded within and the copper adopting a natural heat patina and weakening under the intense heat of the glass to the point that it moves and responds simultaneously, resulting in an object that is more than just the sum of its parts.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Description: LED Pendant
Dimensions: 203-304x254-355 mm H
Suspension Cord: Single structural and conductive cord 1524 mm braided black
Dimmer Compatibility: Any standard dimmer
Canopy: Diameter 127 mm and material is oil rubbed brass
Materials: Hand blown smoke gray glass, naturally heat patinated and oil rubbed copper and blackened oil rubbed brass
TAGS: Parametric, Pendant, Grasshopper, Glass, Copper, Light, Generative, Unique, Variable
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: I began by researching the contrasting tendencies of machine work and hand craft to excel at fast, perfect replicas and labour intensive individuals respectively. Seeing an opportunity to combine aspects of these general fabrication approaches to different ends, I conceived this pendant design as an adaptable system within specified limitations (such as wiring and hanging structure), but with an overall fluid and variable result achievable without reducing fabrication efficiency when tackling unique forms.
CHALLENGE: The most difficult aspect of the process was designing a standard hanging and electrical structure to fit the variable dimensions of the glass and copper pendant body.
ADDED DATE: 2015-02-28 20:11:05
TEAM MEMBERS (1) : Colin Westeinde
IMAGE CREDITS: All images photographed by Rob Chron and owned by Colin Westeinde
|