“Design & Make: Love Waves”

“Design & Make: Love Waves” is an intensive workshop by Decode Fab Lab focusing on the design and fabrication of an intricate architectural installation. The installation takes the form of a canopy made entirelly out of thread that will be presented during the Saristra Festival, in Palia Vlahata, Kefalonia. For the intended construction, a high level of automation and computation is required, making the project a computational design and engineering endeavor, as much as an aesthetic one.

The canopy

As stated, “Love Waves” is a kinetic canopy, made entirely out of thread, that stands in place of a long gone roofing of a traditional house in Palia Vlahata. The dense network of free-moving colourful curves creates an intricate landscape, that emanates the fraglity of a land torn by earthquakes.

Curriculum

The workshop is divided in three sections. During the first one, ie the design phase, the students will be introduced to parametric modeling techniques with Grasshopper 3d. A series of comprehensive tutorials will be presented, that will cover both the form finding and physics simulation for the final object, as well as the analysis, tagging and file preparation for fabrication. In this stage the final form of the canopy as well any necessary engeenering solutions will be co-developed with the students.

The second section is the fabrication of the object with digital fabrication techniques (mainly CNC & lasercutting). During this phase the students will be presented with some basic knowledge on how to utilize the machinery of a modern Fab Lab and will be expected to take part in the physical preparation and assembly of the parts of the canopy, as well as any test models that may be required.

The third section is the in situ assembly of the canopy in Palia Vlahata, Kefalonia. During this phase any students that join us in Kefalonia will be setting up the final object and taking part in the celebrations! The participation in this section is optional, but highly recommended, since the participants will get to solve design problems that will arise in real time, as well as appreciate the fruit of their labours in first hand.

The first two sections of the workshop will take place in Decode Fab Lab, at Agiou Thoma 9, in Athens. The third section will take place in Kefalonia. Although we do not offer accomodation , there are accomodation options for either the camping in Sami or rental rooms in the area, that can be booked with a discount.

Schedule:

• Fri.   26/07_ 10:00-19:00 Design tutorials
• Sat.   27/07_ 10:00-15:00 Design tutorials
  15:30-19:00 Design Completion & Files Preparation
• Sun.  28/07_ 10:00-19:00 Fab lab training & Fabrication
• Mon. 29/07_ 10:00-19:00 Fabrication & Assembly
• Tue.  30/05 – Mon. 05/08_ Trip to Kefalonia. In Situ Assembly & Party.

Expected Outcomes

After this course students are expected to be able to:

• Create parametric models
• Understand algorithmic design principles
• Produce custom grasshopper definitions, according to their design intent
• Prepare 3d models for fabrication with 3d-printing and cnc cutting technologies
• Handle real world design problems through computational logic
• Design a seamless digital design and fabrication workflow

Pre-requisites

Requires Windows skills and desire to create. Previous rhino3d modeling experience is deemed greatly helpful but not required. A general understanding of basic mathematical principles is also considered helpful, but an explanatory lecture will be given where needed. A love for crafting is always a plus!

All participants are required to have:

• Their personal laptop with them. Additional NUC computers can be provided after timely communication.
• Rhinoceros3d 6 pre-installed. You can download a 90-days evaluation version from http://www.rhino3d.com/download
• Lots of patience and positive thinking, learning is fun after all!