Rice Architecture
26HM_X08
Nghiem Du, Barbora Malikova, Cristian Madrid, Evan Glenzinski
PHYSICAL MODEL


DIGITAL MODEL


PROCESS
Utilizing the heat-forming qualities of PETG, our group was able to provide a structural model that could specifically be used to conform to the existing qualities of a site. We produced a model that had a series of removable columns and then placed a sheet of PETG over the top to be loaded into the oven. The oven allowed us to control the temperature, direction, and time of the heat, which softened the PETG and, along with gravity, allowed the sheet to droop over the supporting columns. After a series of tests, increasing heat, location, and time, we were able to control the elements to produce the desired results of a catenary arch. Further testing revealed the spatial specificity of the process, conforming to each existing detail as the heat is applied. This allows the object to potentially act as a structural drape, conforming to an existing site, or stand alone as a sculptural form with varied deflection.















