Diaphanus is a tessellated surface, a set of pieces organized through aggregation. A deep investigation was established not only on digital fabrication techniques but also on the technologies of rainwater collection to be able to develop a prototype that also discusses performance and sensation.
In the modeling process, we used Rhino 5 and Grasshopper, which allowed us to generate this particular surface, using algorithms that allowed us to control not only the surface itself but the amount material in order to manage the budget. First, we generated the curves that limit the surface; these curves are basically a series of catenaries. Once the surface was generated, the structure was determined basically as adiagrid that was built out of thermoplastic transparent hose.
Based on the points generated by the subdivision of the diagrid, a second surface was generated; this surface was made out of hexagons divided in twelve parts, which integrated a series of modules that were repeated throughout the surface. In spite of being the same module, all the generated pieces are different to each other, as if it was a mutation. Besides this, we included a series of attractor points which when we modified their values it allowed us to generate a gradient of pieces (2D flowers) throughout the surface. A third surface was generated in which the central point was taken from each module and by means of attractor points, we obtained a rise of the flower towards the center of each hexagon, having generated three-dimensional forms (flowers) that altogether with the surfaces previously generated, would obtain a more impressive visual effect according to the established expositions of sensitivity, where the flat surface evolves into an exuberant three-dimensional surface.
Rainwater capturing technology.
A system for rainwater harvesting was designed based on diverse methods and existing technologies, its performance had to be completely fused with the design, subtly responding to the aesthetic sensibility and within the limits that digital fabrication processes and technology allowed us. After all the research it was decided to integrate the “3D flowers” as the water collectors for this prototype, integrating them with carbon filters connecting them to the capillary system (hoses), since this is a process by which the impure molecules adhere to the activated carbon surface. The adhesion is due to an electrochemical attraction; once the water is already filtered, it moves through the structural network, continuing the process of purification. It finally ends at water storage for later use.
