heliotrophic part 2

Exhausted, from this week's project, my class hesitantly walks in, finding a seat, and hoping for some sort of break. The usual critique days of art school, allow one to rest on the day big assignments are due, however, we know better than to hope for such. We watched the groups present. This is always extremely interesting, and very laid back. Conversations occur, and questions arise and answers are given and discussed from all corners of the room.

This week was very interesting for me. My group was very laid back. I am generally programmed to be very stressed out and concerned about every little detail until it is done, functional, and has been presented, therefor having received a grade, and it is over. My group, however, was very calm through every piece of the planning, prototyping, problem solving, and even last minute repairs. This was extremely refreshing and overall, MUCH more productive.

From the get-go, we were aiming at bio-mimacry. Having done research on heliotrophic surfaces, I mostly came across articles discussing plants and nature. Sunflowers, are an incredible example of a heliotrophic organism, and our whole group came to look for inspiration in nature.

We wanted something different, and decided to bring other materials into our palette. We would use fabric and finger like pieces to create almost a skin. This would create a pleasing aesthetic, but would be incredible functional, as well. Three dowels with fingers would lay in a resting position, keeping the fabric that covered them impermeable. This, would allow for a greenhouse effect- where heat could be trapped within the "skin", reducing the need for heating. (Application-wise- we were thinking how this could be used in buildings, etc). When the sun would appear, the fingers would begin to open, stretching the material, and allowing the pores of the material to open and collect the sunlight (or rainwater if sensors were changed to read humidity). In doing this, the inside of the building could collect sunlight within its walls and or have the sunlight reach solar panels within the building, but only when the sun is present in the sky. Without the sun, the material traps the heat, and warms itself.

With relation to rain, the same could be true. With high humidity, this material could be stretched by the fingers, allowing the collection of rainwater to occur.

The aesthetic of this piece resulted in a very biologic, almost creepy contraption.