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Final Model

Prototype underconstruction

Prototype evalutation

Material and construction challenges

Cushion: One of the challenges we faced was the stretch ability of the fabric for the cushion. The material that we planned on using at first was ETFE but after a meeting with Rienk de Vries at Buitink, we learned that it took a long time to change the amount of pressure in the cushion, the fragility of the material required a small air input. The stretchable fabric was an option but it was very challenging to weld together without a specific machine, plus it involved very specific types of tubes and valves to support the amount of pressure needed to inflate it. Also, in order to make a cushion with a pattern as illustrated in the project visuals, there needed to be an inner layer within the outer cushion. The process of such a cushion required a specific type of machines and was totally impossible to make it airtight otherwise. In the end, the material of the cushion is a thick plastic sheet that we welded together into the needed shape. Unfortunately, the air pipes and valves that we ordered never arrived to us and we had to improvise and use.

Structure: The structure of the pavilion is a wooden frame carved in one piece but for the prototype we decided to use several layers of MDF panels using screws, metal bars and bolts to keep them together. Due to the section of the structure built, the stability of the prototype became an issue. This was a problem specific to the model because in reality, the frame of the whole balances itself.

Arduino: