Rice Architecture
21RM_X05
RECIPROCAL MODEL / EXPERIMENT FIVE
John Curylo
Zichen Huang
Chunzi Zhao
Kexuan Shang
This reciprocal model explores the materiality of wood by exerting both compression and tension through the same material without the use of strings. The initial inspiration for the basic ‘hook’ unit stemmed from the extrusion of a simply cube from three perpendicular directions, then adjusting the proportions to give the form a potential of hooking onto other cube to act as both applicator and recipient of forces. The element of frame was later incorporated to give the system more dynamic. The exploration started by viewing the frame as a ‘load’ waiting to be bore by the combined structure of the hooks. Then, the frame started to active engage into the entire structure by acting as a balancer or supporter just like the hooks.