‘surfaceTension’ explores the possibilities of CNC 3d milling and how different surfaces qualities can be created along with the transmission between them. An algorithm for the generation of the surfaces was created, that operated on 3 different levels. Starting from a flat surface with a regular topological subdivision grid the first level of the algorithm moves the vertices in the x and y axes. The movement can be controlled in several different ways (through attractors, wave patterns, noise functions etc). The movement happens iteratively so the topology of the surface will remain intact avoiding the overlapping of vertices and polygons. The second level of the algorithm moves the vertices of the surface in the z axis generating the relief pattern. The movement is again controlled in several different ways. The third level of the algorithm assigns different weights to the vertices, resulting in a varying quality of the edges, ranging from smooth to sharp. Sample surfaces were fabricated in corian. The software was further developed for the surfaceHeat competition entry.

Varying surface curvature resulting in different surface 'tension'

Varying surface curvature resulting in different surface ‘tension’

Iterative translation in the x and y axes

Iterative translation in the x and y axes

sample surface

sample surface

examples of different surfaces and their z translation

examples of different surfaces and their z translation

 

05-2surfaces 06-surfaceindex

07-surfaces2

 

3d model of fabricated surface

3d model of fabricated surface

fabrication process

fabrication process

fabricated sample in corian

fabricated sample in corian

full scale fabricated surface | details

full scale fabricated surface | details

full scale fabricated surface

full scale fabricated surface

>>info:
design:object-e | Dimitris Gourdoukis & Katerina Tryfonidou with (1st phase): Elena Giannitsopoulou (2st phase): Garyfallos Papadopoulos, Eleanna Panagoulia and Nikos Christodoulou.
date:2013
publications:— in D. Gourdoukis “Agile Computation or Manifesto for Agile Architecture Development” in Tellios, A. (ed) Agile Design. Advanced Architectural Cultures Thessaloniki: CND Publications, 2014.