Week 6 - Project 2 - Computing without Computers

This week we were required to design a room that reflected the ideas of the transformative body. To do this, we had to consider how the body would complete the task of either opening, sitting or walking up stairs - and mould our design around the restriction. The group ultimately decided to select The Key as the folie to further develop, because of its approriate relation to the operative topic.

Chosen Folie: 'The Key'

Because our body was quite restricted with walking and the folie lacked any seating, it was decided to design a seat/opening which responded to the limitations of the body and its movement. The outer 'skin' made it quite difficult for the arms to extend forward, meaning that consideration had to be given when deciding how the opening could fold out from the wall (how it could be pulled) to form a seat.

The restrictive movements of the body which had to be considered during design of the opening/seating

The opening/seating was located on 1 of the 3 folie modules, so that when the body was seated it would have view towards the river. The seat extends 2m in width, designed to cater for more than one body, should there be more than 1 user. Again, this concept coincides with the nature of the original folie, which altered depending on requirements of user(s). As the body pulls the handle from the wall, the hinges allow the seat to flex open until a 90° angle is reached. The body's hands run down the handle until the seat is horizontal and rests on the handle which now serves as a support mechanism for the seat and the live load. A rough physical model was produced to estimate how the body would realistically move with the opening/seating. This exercise outlined that the hands would be crushed once the handle was verticle, so an additional horizontal bar was added in the centre of the handle to allow the hands to run up during the motion.

Physical Model Exercise

Motion 1 of opening/seating being pulled by body

Motion 2 of opening/seating being pulled by body

Motion 3 of opening/seating being pulled by body

Horizontal bar added to centre of handle to allow hands to run up/down during motion

Horizontal bar added to centre of handle to allow hands to run up/down during motion

This transition of the original folie is focused on the ergonomical relationship between restricted body and architectural form. The body's restrictions have been considered, assuring the function of the opening/seating corresponds with the slight capabilites of the body - ensuring a person-environment fit. 

Task 3 - A Room for the Transformative Body

Operative Speculative Plan: Module Track System and Opening/Seating Design

Operative Speculative Section 1: Opening/Seating Design

Operative Speculative Section 2: Opening/Seating Design