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DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

FREI OTTO [NATURAL STRUCTURES]

Frei O! o is a german architect who studied architecture in Berlin

before being dra" ed into the Lu" waff e as a pilot in the last years

of World War II. It is said that he was interned in a French POW

camp and, with his avia$ on engineering training and lack of

material and an urgent need for housing, began experimen$ ng

with tents for shelter. O! o is a leading authority on lightweight

tensile and membrane structures, and has pioneered advances

in structural mathema$ cs and civil engineering. He founded the

Ins$ tute for Lightweight Structures at the University of Stu! gart.

Occupying and connec$ ng. 2009 Frei O! o. Form fi nding techniques & models

“With buildings of animals all kinds of construc$ ons are found:

caves, beam structures (many birds’ nests), membrane and

rope-construc$ ons (webs of spiders and caterpillars), shells...

folded structures (honeycomb structures of bees), vaults (above

ground ant-hills), massive construc$ ons (pu' ed, cast and high

strength termite mounds).”

- Natürliche Konstruk$ onen p.20. 1985. Frei O! o.

The Olympiastadion was considered revolu$ onary for its $ me.

It included large sweeping canopies of acrylic glass stabilized

by steel cables that were used for the fi rst $ me in a large scale.

The idea was to imitate the Alps and to set a counterpart to the

1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, held during the Nazi-Regime.

The sweeping and transparent canopy was to symbolize the

new, democra$ c and op$ mis$ c Germany.

Biomime$ cs in Architecture | 2011 Petra Gruber

Olympia Park in Munich. 1972 Frei O! o. Japan Pavillion Hanover Expo. 2000 Shigeru Ban & Frei O! o.

Frei O! o and Shigeru Ban addressed this ques$ on of inter-

connec$ on and interac$ on of architectural systems and their

environment from a global ecological perspec$ ve. The main theme

of their Japan Pavilion at Hanover Expo was to create a structure

that would produce as li! le industrial waste as possible when it was

dismantled. The goal was either to recycle or to reuse almost all of

the materials that went into the building. The structural idea is a

grid shell using lengthy paper tubing without joints. The tunnel arch

was about 73.8m long stronger when it comes to lateral strain.

Frei O� o is a german architect who studied architecture in Berlin

before being dra! ed into the Lu! waff e as a fi ghter pilot in the last

years of World War II. It is said that he was interned in a French

POW camp and, with his avia$ on engineering training and lack of

material and an urgent need for housing, began experimen$ ng with

tents for shelter. O� o is a world’s leading authority on lightweight

tensile and membrane structures, and has pioneered advances in

structural mathema$ cs and civil engineering. He founded the

Ins$ tute for Lightweight Structures at the University of Stu� gart.

THREAD MODELS 01 | every point is connected to every other point by a $ ght wool thread 02 | an 8% over-length is added to each thread

Frei O� o studied “op$ mized path systems” by developing a method

of genera$ ng forms, he used wool thread, and soap & water to

generate vectorized systems that minimize the number of paths and

make them share the same geometry.

This algorithmic procedure is developed in three steps, mapping the

diff erent program points, increasing the length of the wool thread

by at least 8% and then dipping the en$ re model in water. The

threads mix and form a diff erent pa� ern every $ me.

Finding Form p. 69 | 1995

03 | model dipped in water 04 | superimposed models models 01 & 03

Image 4 is made of model 1 in black and model 3 in red

superimposed. Both models are effi cient in diff erent ways. It

depends what the objec$ ve is as to which is considered more

effi cient. While model 1 has large lengths of path system and a 0

detour factor, model 3 computes a solu$ on that signifi cantly

reduces the overall length of the path system while maintaining a

low average detour factor. This strategy could be used to compute

many types of urbansystems such as fabric modula$ on, street

systems, a system of open spaces.

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

MINIMAL PATH SYSTEMS [FREI OTTO]

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

PATH SYSTEM EXPERIMENTS [SELF ORGANISATION]

SELF ORGANISATION | The theory of self-organisa! on is also

called theory of non-linear (dynamic) systems (chaos theory).

It is applicable to physical and chemical, biological,

psychological and social systems.

By ‘self-organisa! on’ we understand the ability of systems to

develop and sustain their inherent order with no control from

outside. The implicit ability of complex adap! ve behaviour is a

central characteris! c of living systems - M. Euler.

00 | threads connec! ng points with 8% over-length

Frei O" o’s thread models used wool and soap & water. The

fi bres of the wool mesh together in the soap & water to form

a path system. This experiment used the same concept as

O" o’s models using thread with at least 8% over-length

connec! ng all the points to each other but three

dimensionally.

This model was then dipped into soap & water and photographed.

This process was repeated 5 ! mes fully drying the model between

each dipping to produce the above sequence of images. Each ! me

it was dipped in the water it self organised itself into a diff erent

forma! on.

03 | models dipped in soap & water 05 | model dipped in soap & water01 | model dipped in soap & water 02 | model dipped in soap & water 04 | model dipped in soap & water

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

PATH SYSTEM ANALYSIS [PHYSICAL MODEL]

Each result from dipping the thread model in water & soap is

superimposed onto the original dry model (fainter linework).

The resultant images show how the thread pa! ern deforms

and how the bunching of the threads self organise into

structural and aesthe" cally interes" ng forms.

Above | detail of thread bunching Right | superimposed images of thread models

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

PATH SYSTEM ANALYSIS [DIGITAL MODEL]

These images show a digital imita! on of the physical model

previously explored. It illustrates the threads movement

during the process of dipping it in water. The freeze frames

were taken at progressing stages as the physics simula! on was

ac! ve, they were then superimposed.

The darkest linework was the resultant confi gura! on while

the fainter llines were the original and process arrangement of

threads.

Renders of digital thread model

Detail of physical thread model

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

THREAD ANALYSIS [WET THREAD BEHAVIOUR]

01 | diagram with low sepera! on 02 | diagram with high sepera! on 03 | diagram with high cohesion 04 | diagram with high sepera! on power 05 | diagram with low tension 06 | diagram with high tension

tensile forces

operates between nodes of a single thread.

seek

controls ac! ve range of cohesive and separa! ve forces.

power

controls magnitude of each force

! mestep

controls rate of simula! on.

decay

controls the amount of velocity lost from one itera! on to the next.

0 = total velocity loss

1 = no velocity loss

source code by David Reeves 2011

This sequence of diagrams shows how the thread points react

under cohesion, tension and sepera! on.

separa! ve forces

operates between nodes of a single thread.

cohesive forces

operates between nodes of diff erent threads.

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

THREAD ANALYSIS [DIGITAL MODEL]

This experiment illustrates the thread behaviour seen in the

previous physical experiments by using Grasshopper so! ware.

These ini" al renders show how the individual threads bunch

together digitally in the same way they do physically. However,

unless the ini" al points are moved the result of the physics

simulta" on will be the same every " me. In the physical model

this was not the case, the result each " me the threads were

dipped into water was diff erent due to minor changes in the

environment, such as air movement.

Renders of digital thread model

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

RADIOLARIA [HAND DRAWINGS]

01 | Cenosphaera cristata [DRAWN FROM PHOTOGRAPH] 02 | Spumullarian radiolaria [DRAWN FROM HAECKEL DRAWING] 03 | Androcyclas gamphonycha [DRAWN FROM PHOTOGRAPH]

These hand drawings illustrate a few species of radiolaria that

par! cularly fascinated me due to their complex geometry. Drawing

them helped analyse their forms.

A" er learning of Ernst Haeckel’s work on radiolarians I researched

further. Radiolarians have existed since the beginning of the

Paleozoic era, producing an astonishing diversity of intricate shapes

during their 600 million year history. They take their name from the

radial symmetry, o" en marked by radial skeletal spines,

characteris! c of many forms.

Spumellarians come in various shapes ranging from spherical to

ellipsoidal to discoidal, typically with radial symmetry. It is common

for the Spumellarians to have several concentric shells connected

by radial bars.

Individual radiolarians are normally in the size range of hundredths

to tenths of millimeters, but some reach dimensions of a millimeter

or more, large enough to be seen with the naked eye. Some species

are amassed into colonies, which may reach sizes of cen! meter and

even meter scale.

Radiolarians cytoplasmic mass, which cons! tutes the majority of

the space within the cell, is divided into two regions separated by a

perforated membrane. The fi rst of these regions is the central mass,

also known as the central capsule, and the second is the extraca-

psulum, a peripheral layer of cytoplasm surrounding the central

capsule. The central capsule contains the organelles common to

all eukaryo! c cells, such as the mitochondria and vacuoles, while

the extracapsulum is characterized by its thread-like extensions of

cytoplasm, the rhizopodia.

Aiding in the capture of prey, the rhizopodia are crucial in obtaining

the energy necessary for the successful comple! on of the Radio-

larian life cycle. Addi! onally, the rhizopodia act to increase the

surface area of the cell, improving the rates of release of metabolic

wastes and the uptake of oxygen. The separa! on of the cytoplasm

is thought to allow for increased control of the diff usion of large

molecules within the cell, such as fat globules, and organelles.

04 | Acanthodesmia micropora [DRAWN FROM PHOTOGRAPH]

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

BUCKMINSTER FULLER [GEODESIC DOME]

Buckminster Fuller was an architect, engineer, geometrician,

cartographer, philosopher, futurist, inventor of the geodesic

dome and one of the most brilliant thinkers of his ! me. He

was renowned for his comprehensive perspec! ve on the

world’s problems.

“To make man a sucess on earth... we must design our way to

posi! ve eff ec! veness.”

Above | Dome in Montreal, world exhibi! on. 1967 Fuller.Le# | Transparent dome over Manha$ an. 1950 Buckminster Fuller.

“Man now enters the phase of meager yet conscious

par! cipa! on in the an! cipatory design undertakings of

Nature. This conscious par! cipa! on itself is changing from

an awkward, arbitrary, trial and error ignorance to an

intui! vely concieved, yet rigorously serviced, disciplined

elegance.”

- Ideas and Integri! es p.323 | 1960 Buckminster Fuller

Fuller patented his geodesic domes in 1954. The

geometry of the domes is derived from the basic

geometry of the icosahedron, a volume with 20 equal

faces, a Platonic body. The edges are projected onto an

inscribed sphere, genera! ng sec! ons of great circles,

which are connected to a regular trigonometric pat-

tern.

- Biomime! cs in Architecture p.47 | 2011 Petra Gruber

Excerpts of patent specifi ca! on of Fuller’s domes.

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

MINIMAL SURFACE [GEODESIC DOME]

The main advantage Fuller cited in his 1954 patent appli-

ca! on for the geodesic dome was its shape, because it is

self-reinforcing, it requires far less building material than

any other design.

Conven! onal buildings, according to Fuller, weigh about

50 pounds (22.7kg) for each square foot (0.09 sq meter) of

fl oor space. A geodesic dome can weigh less than 1 pound

(0.5kg) for each square foot of fl oor space.

02 | Geodesic Dome for the Ford Motor Company 1952–53

He called this shape a geodesic dome, because the pa# ern

of triangles forms an interlocking web of geodesics. A

geodesic is the shortest path between two points. This is a

line in two-dimensional geometry, but on the surface of a

sphere, the shortest distance between two points is an arc

defi ned by a great circle - a circle with the same diameter

as the sphere.

03 | Diagram of geodesic dome area calcula! ons 04 | Diagram of tradi! onal form area comparison

To compare building shape the following criteria are taken into

considera! on:

Floor area

Height

Volume

Surface area

When comparing the two forms the variables, height and

volume, cannot be kept the same due to the nature of the

shapes so two varia! ons have been calculated.

Fuller loved geometry, and was par! cularly impressed by the

triangle, the most stable geometrical shape - providing struc-

tural integrity. He also knew that the sphere was the most

effi cient three dimensional shape, enclosing the largest pos-

sible volume with the smallest surface area - meaning a dome

being a par! al sphere should be a logical shape for a build-

ing. Reducing the surface area in contact with the exterior

reduces heat loss as well as maximising material effi ciency.

01 | Tensegrity model

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

FOLDING GEODESIC SPHERE [FOLDING SEQUENCE]

The sequences of images above show how the geodesic sphere

deforms as it is folded into itself. Due to the element of fl exibility in

the plas" c straws, the junc" ons are able to ‘pop’ in and out freely.

Each stage of the geodesic spheres deforma" on creates interes" ng

and beau" ful geometries. Side and top view sequences.

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

GEODESIC SPHERE + PATH SYSTEMS [CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE]

The sequences of images above show how the geodesic sphere is

constructed in a series of stages. Star� ng with fi ve short struts

connected together with one brad, this central pentagon is

subsequently connected to fi ve hexagons on each of its sides.

The hexagons are constructed from the longest struts while the

connec� ng struts forming the edges between the pentagons and

hexagons are a middle length strut.

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

GEODESIC SPHERE [PHYSICAL MODEL]

02 | Plas! c geodesic sphere model centred on a hexagon

To construct this geodesic sphere the following strut lengths

were required:

hexagon - 140mm

pentagon - 118mm

edges - 136mm

The adjacent diagrams show how the pentagons and hexa-

gons are connected together to form the geodesic sphere.

This model is constructed with plas! c straws for the struts

and silver brads serving as the connec! ons. It spans 600mm

and is surprisingly robust. It is made up of regular pentagons

and hexagons with three diff erent strut lengths.

01 | Plas! c geodesic sphere model centred on a pentagon

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

GEODESIC SPHERE + PATH SYSTEMS [WET EXPERIMENTS]

This model is constructed in the same way the geodesic

sphere was, with plas! c straws and brads. It addi! onally

connects threads to opposite ends points of the sphere.

This model integrates the geometry of the geodesic sphere

and the minimal path thread experiments, that has been

researched previously. It starts to explore the use of the

minimal path system principles in another context other

that path networks.

01 & 02 | top view of geodesic sphere + thread model 02 | top view of geodesic sphere + thread model dipped in water 03 & 04 | front view of geodesic sphere + thread model

Model process

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

LE RICOLAIS [1894-1977]

Above | hexacore steel model

In 1935, as a prac! cing hydraulics engineer, he

introduced the concept of corrugated stress skins to

the building industry. In 1940 his work on three-

dimensional network systems introduced many ar-

chitects to the concept of ‘space frames.’ A" er years

of research he was well established as the ‘father of

space structures.’

‘the art of structure is where to put the holes’

Images from the Visions and Paradox exibi! on

Le Ricolais was considered along with Fuller & O# o

a leading expert on structural morphology in archi-

tecture. He was an engineer, architect, poet and

painter, known for his theore! cal research on trellis

structures and tensegrity during the 1950’s. His

work’s roots are in nature and science, in a seashell,

a soap bubble or le Ricolais’ fantasy of ‘going inside

a rope’ to fi nd a new way to realize his central vision

of zero weight, infi nite span.

BURN

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

BURNING MAN FESTIVAL [BRIEF]

Above | burning effi gies at the end of the fes� val

Every year, they establish themselves in a new loca� on

to seek freedom and self-reliance. Nevada’s dry Black

Rock Desert comes to life some weeks before the actual

start of the fes� val. It ends with the burning of a larger-

than-life effi gy made of wood and straw, from which the

fes� val gets its name. theme camps are sta� onary and

some are moving; the moving ones are probably art cars.

Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Respect & Restore!

It is impossible to describe Burning Man. It is

the closest to going to a diff erent planet, it is

the biggest party on earth, it is an utopia…

‘Burning Man’ is no ordinary fes� val. There are

no large stages or big bands; nevertheless, it is

extremely popular. More than 50,000 people

gather in the Nevada desert over the course of

the six days in early September.

Right | Burning Man Fes� val - night satellite image

11 days before the fes� val Traffi c jam into fes� val

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

BURNING MAN FESTIVAL [RESEARCH]

Burning Man is much more than just a temporary

community. It’s a city in the desert, dedicated to radical self

reliance, radical self-expression and art. Innova� ve sculpture,

installa� ons, performance, theme camps, art cars and

costumes all fl ower from the playa and spread to our

communi� es and back again. Our mission is to promote

and support interac� ve public art, even beyond our event.

2009 & 2010 BLACK ROCK CITY PLAN

Due to a great deal of feedback cri! cal of the expanded size of the 2008 city,

2009 returned to nearly the same, smaller footprint of 2007. The distance

from the inner-most road to the Man was reduced from 2700 to just 2100

feet. The Center Camp was also smaller than 2008, a compromise between

2007 and 2008. The 2010 city plan was very similar to 2009 - the only change

was the addi! on of three new ‘public’ plazas at 3:00, 6:00 and 09:00.

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

A TEMPORARY CITY [PLANNING]

2007 & 2008 BLACK ROCK CITY PLAN

Compared to the 2007 city plan the distance from the Man to the Esplanade

road increased from 2200 to 2700 feet in 2008, which meant the length of the

Esplanade grew over 2500 feet longer. 2007’s three inner blocks were removed

crea! ng a new Esplanade for 2008. Two longer concentric roads at the back of

the city replace the three shortest concentric streets from the inside.

2011 BLACK ROCK CITY PLAN

The city grew again. The distance from the inner-most Esplanade street to the Man was

2400 feet. This means all blocks from Esplanade to Gradua! on were wider between the

clock streets. By far, the most drama! c change in the 2011 plan was the addi! on of

sixteen new streets. To ease pedestrian and bicycle movement and access at the back of

the city, the new streets were short radials at the fi # een and forty-fi ve clock posi! ons.

Public Plazas also returned at Kindergarten and 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00.

THE PENTAGON

The Pentagon surrounding the city defi nes the land used by the event, the

7-mile long temporary plas! c fence that surrounds the event. This 4-foot high

barrier is known as the “trash fence” because its ini! al use was to catch wind-

blown debris that might escape from campsites during the event.

Image of Burning Man Fes� val

‘This place is a bike city, you have never seen so

many bikes in your life, and at night? Wow every-

thing is glowing! Bikes are all decked out. They even

have a “pimp my bike” camp!’

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

BURNING MAN FESTIVAL [TRANSPORT]

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

BICYCLE WHEEL [ANALYSIS]

Above | detail of bicycle wheel hub Right | bicycle wheel forces analysis

A bicycle is the most effi cient mode of transporta" on, in terms of

energy conversion effi ciency from a human to mobility. Part of this

effi ciency results from its structure, resul" ng from an effi cient

deployment of tensile forces requiring, as a result, minimal mass.

Spokes don’t push outward holding the rim at bay, rather the rim

is evenly pulled inward by spokes that are laced through the hub,

which makes it extraordinarily strong. These spokes coming from

the hub then radiate outward to the rim, where they a# ach to nip-

ples, which are like li# le nuts res" ng in the rim. ROAD

TORQUE

Spokes play a key role in the transferring the power from your legs

to the rim to make the bike move. The force driving the bike for-

ward gets distributed among many spokes. Even under a very heavy

load many spokes help spread out the weight so that it is more

evenly carried and doesn’t put too much stress on any single spoke.

Though some bicycles have appeared with ‘sta" cally determinant’

cables deploying tension in one plane, and for one triangle of the

frame, there is no bicycle yet available that deploys omnidirec" onal

tension.

HUB

RIM

SPOKES

TEN

SIO

N

Another type of bicycle wheel can be formed in one piece from

a material such as thermoplas" c and carbon fi ber composite.

Although spoked wheels are lighter, the solid wheels are more aero-

dynamic. A solid wheel is never used on the front for a road race

but can be used on the rear of the bike.

The top sequence of images show the deforma� on of a bicycle wheel

using a direct force to the rim on the opposite side of the fl oor. The

bo� om sequence of images show the further deforma� on rota� ng

the bicycle wheel and applying force to diff erent points of the rim.

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

BICYCLE WHEEL DEFORMATION [DEFORMING SEQUENCE]

Details of deformed bicycle wheel

Views of deformed bicycle wheel

These close up photographs of the deformed bicycle wheel

illustrate the spokes buckling under the force applied to the rim of

the wheel. The spokes either bent or became una! ached to the rim,

poking through its hole and s" cking out at bizarre angles due to the

lack of tension in the material.

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

BICYCLE WHEEL DEFORMATION [DETAILS]

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

WHEEL STRUCTURE [DIGITAL MODEL]

This digital model experiments with Le Ricolais’ enigma! c three dimensional

la" ce system as illustrated on the previous sheet. The form is very en! cing

and it was modelled in the hope of understnading it be# er. It takes the basic

from of geodesic or hexagonal sphere and pulls out the geometry at points -

the reverse of previous work on folding geodesic spheres.

Three dimensional la" ce system

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

ENERGY STORAGE WHEEL [SALTWATER BATTERY]

FLOATATION TANKS

for relaxa� on & healing

SOLAR PIPES

to collect heat in the salt water

SALT WATER BATTERY CELLS

to generate electricity for ligh� ng at night

WATER TABLE

source of salt water

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

SALT CONCEPT [DESIGN DEVELOPMENT]

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

MINIMAL PATH SITE ANALYSIS [BLACK ROCK CITY]

This series of diagrams digitally illustrate the direct and minimal path

networks that the plan arrangement of Black Rock City produce. The black

markers indicate circula! on nodes at street entrances, the burning man and

the temple.

Diagram 01 shows the direct path routes from the streets of the city to the

burning man. Diagram 02 shows the minimal path routes from the streets of

city to the burning man superimposed on the fainter direct paths in order to

clearly illustrate the comparision.

Diagram 01 | direct path routes to the burning man Diagram 02 | superimposed direct and minimal path routes to the burning man Diagram 03 | direct path routes from all nodes to all other nodes Diagram 04 | minimal path routes from all nodes to all other nodes

Diagram 03 shows the direct path routes from all nodes to all other nodes.

Diagram 04 shows the minimal path network from all nodes to all other

nodes. This network is produced by a digital algorithm - imita! ng the Frei

O" o’s wet wool experiments that a" empted to form fi nd path organisa! ons.

BURNING MAN

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

PATH NETWORKS [BLACK ROCK CITY]

Actual path routes from all nodes to all other nodes - satellite image of 2011 Burning Man Fes! val

These images highlight the path networks to and within

Black Rock City. The city’s streets are structured radially

but the path networks across the playa are formed from

the natural foo" all of the crowds. In the satellite image,

the lightness of the en! re central playa indicates that

that the paths are not defi ned but self formed. This led

to the far right image that digitally generated a minimal

path network connec! ng all nodes to all other nodes.

This could not take account of all the art installa! ons in

the Playa as these posi! ons change annually.

This site analysis indicates where noisy areas would be

i.e. areas of lots of movement therefore ideal sites for

Flota! on Power would be off the most used paths. Theore! cal minimal path routes from all nodes to all other nodes - digital representa! on

Detail of movement networks in the Playa centre

Quiet site loca! on

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

SALTWATER FLOTATION [EXPERIMENTS]

Density is the amount of space something takes up per volume. When more

mass is added to the same amount of space being taken up the density of the

liquid changes. When a raw egg is dropped into fresh water the egg doesnt

displace enough water making the egg more dense then the water around it.

This creates an unbalanced force which sends the egg to the bo! om of the

glass. When salt is added to the 250 ml of water and s" rred, the salt crys-

tals break down into molecules and and fi ll in the gaps inbetween the water

molecules.

Saltwater fl ota" on experiment process

The solu" on now has more mass in the same space or volume, which changes

the density of the water. When the egg is added to the salt water you displace

the same amount of water but that space has more molecules in it and the

egg becomes less dense than the salt water around it. When fresh water is

slowly added to the salt water the less dense fresh water fl oats on top of the

more dense salt water.The egg sinks through the less dense fresh water and

fl oats on the more dense salt water.

Experiment with diff erent salt concentra" ons of water - side

Experiment with diff erent salt concentra" ons of water - top

DENSITY ANALYSIS

Object fl oa" ng on saltwater Fresh water poured into glass Object fl oats between salt and fresh water Food colouring added Blue = less dense fresh water

Clear = more dense saltwater

250ml water 25g salt + 250ml water 50g salt + 250ml water 75g salt + 250ml water 100g salt + 250ml water

250ml water 25g salt + 250ml water 50g salt + 250ml water 75g salt + 250ml water 100g salt + 250ml water

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

SALTWATER BATTERY [EXPERIMENTS]

When salts are dissolved in water they become ions that carry posi! ve

or nega! ve charges. It is the ions that are dissolved in water that conduct

electricity. The voltage created in a ba" ery is due to ionic chemistry. One

electrode will become charged to a greater extent than the other resul! ng

in a voltage diff erence between the electrodes. Because of this diff erence,

electrons will want to move from one electrode to the other. This a" rac! ve

poten! al is the voltage that is measured between the electrodes, and the

origin of the ba" eries electrical power.

In this cell copper is used for the cathode and aluminium is used for the

anode. Copper serves as a source of electrons, it simply passes on electrons

from the external circuit, a$ er they’ve fl owed through the LED. The cell

current decreases over long periods of ! me because the metals become

coated with oxides/byproducts. The voltage, however, remains constant as

it’s aff ected primarily by the electronega! vity of the metals, which does not

change.

This series of experiments show that a single cell saltwater ba" ery can

produce 0.63V. This voltage can be increased by connec! ng mul! ple cells

i.e. 3 cells = 1.66V and 6 cells = 3.25V.

Apparatus of saltwater ba" ery

salt

aluminium

copper

container + water

hook up wires

mul! meter

Six cell saltwater ba" ery producing 3.25V Six cell saltwater ba" ery ligh! ng up a light emi& ng diode - side

Copper cathode

Single cell ba" ery without the electrolyte

Light emi& ng diode powered by the saltwater ba" ery

Single cell ba" ery with the electrolyte = saltwater

Six cell saltwater ba" ery ligh! ng up a light emi& ng diode - top

Three cell saltwater ba" ery producing 1.66V - top

Three cell saltwater ba" ery producing 1.66V - side

Saltwater ba" ery diagram Tradi! onal ba" ery diagram

LEDLED

cathode (+)

anode (-)cath

od

e (

+)

an

od

e (

-)

Cl -

Na +

electrolyte

saltwater

NaCl

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

SALT CRYSTALLISATION [EXPERIMENT]

Using black thread hanging into saltwater, this experiment looks at how salt

crystals form on the ver! cal threads as the saltwater in the container

evaporates. The salt crystallisa! on forms an interes! ng barrier material.

This process could be used to surround the individual fl ota! on tanks, eff ec-

! vely cocooning the tank and crea! ng protec! on from the wind while also

providing a method of extrac! ng extra salt to increase the salt density of the

fl ota! on tanks when necessary.

DAY 1

Salt crystallisa! on on glass - as saltwater evaporates crystals form

DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5

DAY 3 - salt crystallisa! on on ver! cal threads DAY 5 - salt crystallisa! on on ver! cal threads

EXPERIMENT PROCESS

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

MINIMAL STRUCTURAL SYSTEM [APPLYING MINIMAL PATH RULES]

This model used the process previously explored in the minimal path systems

from Frei O! o but a! empts to take the concept a stage further and create a

minimal structural system.

The thread lengths are given approximately a 12.5% over-length leaving them

quite loose and messy when dry. The model is then dipped in a water and

soap solu" on and hung upside down. The wet threads bunch together, as

seen in previous experiments, but due to the increased over length they also

dip downwards crea" ng a domed form. When dry, the model is coated with

resin in order to cast the form. The model can then be turned over maintain-

ing the rigid minimal structural system.

Model of minimal structural system - made of co! on thread and resin

Co! on thread a! ached to all pins Model dipped in water and soap Threads naturally form a minimal structural system Model painted with resin

Underside of structure

Detail of modelPLAN AFTER = wet threads + resinPLAN BEFORE = dry loose threads

MODEL PROCESS

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT [SKETCHES]

The concept is primarily based around salt and its sustainable uses,

the source of salt is from the site itself. This project uses saltwater as

an electrolyte to generate electricity for nigh! me ligh! ng and as an

integral ingredient for fl ota! on therapy. The programme of fl ota! on

informs the architecture by requiring a cocoon-like environment with

salty, skin-temperature water in which to fl oat, sheltered from the

harsh elements.

CONCEPT | FLOTATION POWER


saltwater used to generate

electricity for nigh! me ligh! ng

ba# ery cells form a wall of

plas! c containers crea! ng a

wind barrier

FLOTATION TANKS

for relaxa! on & healing, warm

saltwater is provided from solar

collector pipes and thermal store

salt crystals form on the barrier

around the fl ota! on tanks as the

saltwater evaporates, this creates

a thicker protec! on from the

elements, cocooning the user in a

sensory deprived environment

SOLAR COLLECTOR PIPES

to collect heat in the salt

water throughout the day

MINIMAL STRUCTURAL SYSTEM

tubes fi lled with sand provide

thermal mass, confi gured using

principles of minimal path systems

THERMAL STORE

stores heated salt

water to distribute

to fl ota! on tanks

at night

SA

LT

WA

TE

R S

OU

RC

E

SOLAR SHADING

structure and solar pipes

provide solar shading

Ini! al concept sketch

SOLA

R COLLECTO

R PIPES

SALT

WATER B

ATTERY CELLS

LIGHTS

FLOTATION

TANK

MINIMAL STRUCTURAL

SYSTEM

FLOTATION TANKS

SOLAR COLLECTOR TUBES

maxim

ising solar gain

ACCESS

ACCESS

ACCESS

LIGHTS

SALT WATER

BATTERY CELLS

to power lights

at night

SALT WATER

BATTERY CELLS

to power lights

at night

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

MINIMAL STRUCTURAL SYSTEM [PHYSICAL MODEL EXTERIOR]

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

MINIMAL STRUCTURAL SYSTEM [PHYSICAL MODEL INTERIOR]

FLOTATION TANKS

salt crystals form on the barrier around the

fl ota" on tanks as the saltwater evaporates,

this creates a thicker protec" on from the

elements, cocooning the user in a sensory

deprived environment

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

DEVELOPMENT [DAY VISUAL]

update

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

SYSTEM DIAGRAM DEVELOPMENT [DESIGN DEVELOPMENT]

These diagrams explain the energy, environmental and structural

systems that this project u! lises, to achieve Flota! on Power. The

concept is primarily based around salt and its sustainable uses, the

source of salt is from the site itself. This project uses saltwater as an

electrolyte to generate electricity for nigh! me ligh! ng and as an




harsh elements.

CLOSED LOOP ENERGY SYSTEM


saltwater is used to generate


FLOTATION TANKS



collector pipes and thermal store

SOLAR PIPES



MINIMAL STRUCTURAL SYSTEM

tubes fi lled with sand, confi gured

using principles of minimal path

systems

THERMAL STORE

stores heated salt water

to distribute to fl ota! on

tanks at night

SA

LT

WA

TE

R S

OU

RC

E

OVERVIEW

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

FINAL CONCEPT [FLOTATION POWER]

The concept is primarily based around salt and its sustainable uses,

the source of salt is from the site itself. This project uses saltwater as

an electrolyte to generate electricity for nigh! me ligh! ng and as an




harsh elements, this is provided by natural salt forma! on.

SALT






wind barrier

FLOTATION TANKS



collector pipes



water throughout the day,

pipe organisa! on a# ached

to minimal structural system

THERMAL STORE

stores warm salt

water in day to

be used at night

SA

LT

WA

TE

R S

OU

RC

E

SOLAR SHADING



FLOTATION TANKS

SALT WATER

BATTERY CELLS

to power lights

at night

LIGHTS

night ! me ligh! ng powered

by saltwater ba# ery cells

SA

LT

WA

TE

R S

OU

RC

E

TRANSPIRATION

evapora! on from the

fl ota! on tanks and outer

pools cause saltwater to

be drawn up from the high

water table below the

desert surface

SALT FORMATION

salt crystals form a barrier


saltwater evaporates, cocooning

the user in a sensory deprived

environment

Salt forma! ons in nature Digital salt forma! on on fl ota! on tank

CLOSED LOOP

POWER SYSTEM

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

SOLAR SYSTEM [FLOTATION POWER]

Transpira! on diagram

water absorbed

by root hairs

water lost by

transpira! on

capillary ac! on

The saltwater is drawn up from the water table via transpira! on and

travels through the black solar collector pipes absorbing heat and

deposi! ng the warm water into the fl ota! on tanks. The tanks act as

thermal stores, storing the warmed water for their night use.

OVERVIEW






wind barrier

FLOTATION TANKS



collector pipes



water throughout the day,

pipe organisa! on a# ached

to minimal structural system

SOLAR SHADING



TRANSPIRATION

evapora! on from the

fl ota! on tanks and outer

pools cause saltwater to

be drawn up from the high

water table below the

desert surface

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

PLAN [FLOTATION POWER]

This illustra! on shows the superimposed process of the digital

minimal structural system. The result has a similar aesthe! c to the

physical structural model made previously.

1:100 DIGITAL MINIMAL STRUCTURAL SYSTEM PLAN

N

DIGITAL MODEL PROCESS - stages of physics simula! on of minimal structural system

N

DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

SECTION [FLOTATION POWER]




ba" ery cells form a wall of


wind barrier

FLOTATION TANKS



collector pipes

salt crystals form a barrier


saltwater evaporates, cocooning

the user in a sensory deprived

environment


integrated into the minimal

structural system, the black

pipes collect heat in the salt


SOLAR SHADING



DS10 CAROLYN BUTLER

ELEVATIONS [FLOTATION POWER]

[01]

[02]

[03]

[04]

[02] EAST ELEVATION

[01] NORTH ELEVATION [04] WEST ELEVATION [03] SOUTH ELEVATION