Class: 4.022 - Design Studio II

Materials: plastic, string, grommets, wax paper

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The goal of the project was to create an inflatable object or structure with multiple active states. My group and I designed and built a large interactive structure that can transform between 3 different active states: a tunnel, a nook, and a tipi. The structure was created by connecting 10 bladders of the same angular shape and manipulating the structure using two strings, a series of grommets, and a toggle. 

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Iteration Process:

The initial idea was based on an early prototype in which it was discovered that the direction a layered structure inflates can be determined by the location of the connection between layers. This concept was tested on layers of semi-circular shapes and crescent shapes before arriving at the final shape: an angular tapered "L". This shape was the most ideal for the purposes of creating a transformable structure because it could stand no matter which way it was manipulated to inflate and create a structure with enough space for people to walk through it regardless of the orientation. It was then discovered that the manipulation of the direction of inflation did not depend on the location of the connection between bladders but rather the location where an external force was applied. The group then decided to use a system of strings, a series of grommets, and a toggle to apply a force that would cause the structure to turn either inwards (to create the nook), or outwards (to create the tipi) depending on how the user adjusts the length of the string.