Sunday, March 27, 2011
Final Poster Text
The Basis of my geometry was taken from feathers.
The main role for feathers is for insulation. The body temperature of a bird sits at around 40°c, it is believed that the insulating effect behind feathers was the driving force behind their evolution.
This idea of feathers as an insulator to their host is what I based my geometry around.
My geometry is created with overlapping qualities, similar to how feathers overlap and have many layers to achieve their purpose. The geometry for the model is based loosely on the overall form of a feather and the link between my geometry and my chosen concept, is the idea that feathers are used largely for protection and insulation.
With the concept of creating geometry based on the insulating properties of feathers, I had to decide how the iterations for my model were going to be created.
The main iterating component was to come from a surface divide across a lofted surface created from four seperate curves. The number of divides both length ways and width ways were to be controlled using sliders. I.e. the less divides means less overlapping of geometry and less objects created across the surface.
The scale of the base geometry to be layered across the surface was to be controlled using a slider also, therefore the higher you move the slider, the larger the base geometry becomes and visa-versa.
The main role for feathers is for insulation. The body temperature of a bird sits at around 40°c, it is believed that the insulating effect behind feathers was the driving force behind their evolution.
This idea of feathers as an insulator to their host is what I based my geometry around.
My geometry is created with overlapping qualities, similar to how feathers overlap and have many layers to achieve their purpose. The geometry for the model is based loosely on the overall form of a feather and the link between my geometry and my chosen concept, is the idea that feathers are used largely for protection and insulation.
With the concept of creating geometry based on the insulating properties of feathers, I had to decide how the iterations for my model were going to be created.
The main iterating component was to come from a surface divide across a lofted surface created from four seperate curves. The number of divides both length ways and width ways were to be controlled using sliders. I.e. the less divides means less overlapping of geometry and less objects created across the surface.
The scale of the base geometry to be layered across the surface was to be controlled using a slider also, therefore the higher you move the slider, the larger the base geometry becomes and visa-versa.
The third iteration was to be created using a slider also. This slider modified the overall height or thickness of the object across the surface, giving it more or less shape. This iteration was overall the most pleasing and successful as it satisfied the initial concept of feathers as an insulating members and giving the geometry thickness relates directly back to insulation. (refer to renders ‘2’ and ‘8’).
Iteration number 4 was created using a slider to edit the initial objects rotation along its x-axis. Rotating the geometry along the x-axis opens up the overall structure revealing the tube-like inside. This iteration was relevant to feathers and their properties as insulators, where in a cold climate, down is grown for warmth, the opening of my geometry opposes this idea as it would be used in a warmer climate.
The result created from this made for pleasing geometry and nice renders. (refer to renders ‘4’, ‘6’ and ‘8’).
Having a slider that edited the position of the first curve of the lofted surface on which my geometry was laid, effected the overall length of the structure, relating it to its protection properties, I was looking at it in way that it reacts to the weather, therfore it grows longer as the weather worsens, protecting those seeking shelter beneath it.
Refer to render ‘11’ for a lengthened geometry.
Iteration number 4 was created using a slider to edit the initial objects rotation along its x-axis. Rotating the geometry along the x-axis opens up the overall structure revealing the tube-like inside. This iteration was relevant to feathers and their properties as insulators, where in a cold climate, down is grown for warmth, the opening of my geometry opposes this idea as it would be used in a warmer climate.
The result created from this made for pleasing geometry and nice renders. (refer to renders ‘4’, ‘6’ and ‘8’).
Having a slider that edited the position of the first curve of the lofted surface on which my geometry was laid, effected the overall length of the structure, relating it to its protection properties, I was looking at it in way that it reacts to the weather, therfore it grows longer as the weather worsens, protecting those seeking shelter beneath it.
Refer to render ‘11’ for a lengthened geometry.
Some factors that I constantly had in mind as I was creating these forms was why are the iterations doing what they are doing? To fulfill this question I wanted to create an object that was to resemble a covered walkway or bridge.
The bridge or walkway to was to react to the changing weather around it, the climate, the number or occupants etc.
This concept relates directly to my initial extracted geometry of feathers. As climates and weather changes, feathers change to adapt to these changes to insulate or protect the host bird accordingly.
My bridge, or walkway, has extracted the way feathers are layered across a surface and the way feathers are grown and react to different situations, whether it be climate directly, or any other factor.
Overall I believe that feathers have given me an interesting concept of which to base my modelling around and has delivered some pleasing geometry and nice renders.
Chris Stringer 2011
3334364
Benv 2426
The bridge or walkway to was to react to the changing weather around it, the climate, the number or occupants etc.
This concept relates directly to my initial extracted geometry of feathers. As climates and weather changes, feathers change to adapt to these changes to insulate or protect the host bird accordingly.
My bridge, or walkway, has extracted the way feathers are layered across a surface and the way feathers are grown and react to different situations, whether it be climate directly, or any other factor.
Overall I believe that feathers have given me an interesting concept of which to base my modelling around and has delivered some pleasing geometry and nice renders.
Chris Stringer 2011
3334364
Benv 2426
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Feather Information
"Feathers perform a number of functions for a bird. Firstly, they provide insulation, this is very important in a warm blooded animal (body temperature of most birds is maintained at around 40C). It is believed by most scientists that this insulating effect was the primary force driving the evolution of feathers, i.e. ancestral birds developed feathers to keep themselves warm. Feathers also protect birds from UV light." [1]
I am going to be using this quote and fact about how feathers work and what their job is, to build on my concept and model. This iterations within my model will occur due to changes in Light, i.e. the time of day, changes in temperature, i.e. seasons and also changes in weather, i.e. sunshine or rain.
The iteration for the time of day will be represented by the overall coverage of the tunnel that my objects cover. The iteration for the change in temperature will be the objects getting thicker, and more dense, to relate directly to the insulating properties of the feather.
The iteration of the weather, rain or sunshine, will be represented by changing the overall span of the tunnel to cover a greater distance.
[1] http://www.earthlife.net/birds/feathers.html written by Mr Gordon Ramel
[1] http://www.earthlife.net/birds/feathers.html written by Mr Gordon Ramel
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Related Tutorial
Rhino Grasshopper - Parametric Truss
http://designreform.net/2009/07/rhino-grasshopper-parametric-truss/
A truss system can be useful in the creation of my structure as the truss can become the main structure for which the feathers are layered across.
Randomized Field Tutorial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLp6wyjNznE
A randomised field can be used to create points at which feather-like models are created and dispersed.
Facade
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnjY99i3qVY
Feather Structural System
I have chosen to focus on the structure of feathers and the role they play in the protection of birds.
I will be looking to create a structure than can be changed as it relates to weather, time of day and season. The structure will be based on a walkway and the main cladding of the structure will be based on the structure of feathers, and the role they play with birdlife will be similar to the role they will play with the walkway, opening closing, stretching across and fully enclosing.
"There are two basic types of feather: vaned feathers which cover the exterior of the body, and down feathers which are underneath the vaned feathers.
The pennaceous feathers are vaned feathers. Also called contour feathers, pennaceous feathers arise from tracts and cover the whole body. "
Prum, Richard O. & AH Brush (2002). "The evolutionary origin and diversification of feathers"
"Although feathers cover most parts of the body of birds, they arise only from certain well-defined tracts on the skin."
Pettingill, OS Jr. (1970). Ornithology in Laboratory and Field. Fourth edition. Burgess Publishing Company. pp. 29–58.
"A bird's feathers undergo wear and tear and are replaced periodically during its life through molting. New feathers, known as blood, or pin feathers (depending on the stage of growth) when developing, are formed through the same follicle from which the old ones were fledged. The presence of melanin in feathers increases their resistance to abrasion." Bonser, R. H. C. (1995). "Melanin and the abrasion resistance of feathers". Condor 97 (2): 590–591
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Week 1 Ideas
FEATHERS
Feathers are among the most complex integumentary appendages found in vertebrates and are formed in tiny follicles in the epidermis, or outer skin layer, that produce keratin proteins. The β-keratins in feathers, beaks and claws — and the claws, scales and shells of reptiles — are composed of protein strands hydrogen-bonded into β-pleated sheets, which are then further twisted and crosslinked by disulfide bridges into structures even tougher than the α-keratins of mammalian hair, horns and hoof. (R. Schor and S. Krimm (1961). "Studies on the Structure of Feather Keratin II. A β-Helix Model for the Structure of Feather Keratin". Biophys J. 1 (6): 489–515. doi:10.1016/S0006-3495(61)86904-X. PMID 19431311. ^ Linus Pauling and Robert B. Corey (1951). "The Structure of Feather Rachis keratin". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 37 (5): 256–261. doi:10.1073/pnas.37.5.256. PMID 14834148)
CRYSTALS
The process of forming a crystalline structure from a fluid or from materials dissolved in the fluid is often referred to as the crystallization process. In the old example referenced by the root meaning of the word crystal, water being cooled undergoes a phase change from liquid to solid beginning with small ice crystals that grow until they fuse, forming a polycrystalline structure. The physical properties of the ice depend on the size and arrangement of the individual crystals, or grains, and the same may be said of metals solidifying from a molten state.
CAVES
The formation and development of caves is known as speleogenesis. Caves are formed by various geologic processes. These may involve a combination of chemical processes, erosion from water, tectonic forces, microorganisms, pressure, atmospheric influences, and even digging.
Most caves are formed in limestone by dissolution.
Most caves are formed in limestone by dissolution.
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