PREPARING FILES SESSION 1

Preparing files

According to our brief, we are supposed to create two physical models using the techniques we have learned in the workshops. I have completed a workshop session in both Ceramics and Digital printing and I did some research on how I can combine both techniques to create a model. ­

Concept

In one of our units, Research and Theory, there was an interesting lecture on perspective and order in architecture and demonstrated an urban space in Rome known as the Piazza del Popolo as one of the examples. The layout of the urban square and the streets emerging from it are designed in such a way that if a person is standing in the center of the square, the streets provided maximum visual access of the city ahead. The design of the square and the area around it is highly geometrical and therefore would be an interesting to create a model of this urban space. 

Figure 1. Aerial view of Piazza del Popolo taken from Google Earth.

Work process

As a first step, I traced a map of the area of Piazza del Popolo on Autocad to create a 2D file that can be used for laser cutting. Since I have not tried laser cutting before, I did some research on how to create a 2d file on autocad for lasercutting purposes. According to a youtube video reference (see reference details under bibliography), I understood that I would require a template file through which I can coordinate specific colours which defined the nature of the cuts.

My plan is to create a wood formwork of the street network of the area using laser cutting techniques. And then by using that formwork, to create a plaster site model of the area. Inorder to visualise how I want the model to be done, I made a 3d model in Autocad.

 

Figure 2. Screenshot of model on AutoCad

Figure 3. Screenshot of model on Sketchup

The model shows the streets (voids) extruded, since the formwork model I have to create will need to have empty areas for built up spaces, so that when plaster is casted, these spaces would become solid and the streets would be empty. 

Figure 4. Screenshot of Sketchup model 

Figure 5. Screenshot of Sketchup model

The pictures above show how the plaster model would come out once casted. 

AutoCad file

I have prepared a basic Autocad file that can be used for laser cutting. I have used two colours, each assigned to a specific type of cut I want. According to the workshop at BCU, red is used for solid cuts and dark blue is used for etching or to create grooves on the surface. 

Based on this I have prepared my file to be used on my super studio workshop session on 13th November 2017.

Figure 6. Screenshot of files prepared for laser cutting session