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Kevin Clement

Kevin Clement

Tokyo, JP

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Drawn-In-Place Pavilion

This pavilion was built utilizing a custom 3D-pen and motion-tracking system. The pen extrudes PLA to a greater thickness than what is currently on the market and is more durable. PLA is drawn between acrylic rods to create a fuzzy tensegrity system, where the acrylic acts in compression and the PLA generally acts in tension, but also has limited compressive ability.

A 3D-tracking system was developed to assist in the correct placement of the sticks in mid-air. As there is a pattern to the structure, the tracking device is utilized to locate key members in the correct position, which act as guides in the connecting of other rods.

The goal of the project is to bridge the dichotomy between machine and human-made production. Rather than use technology to replace human labor, the idea is to let technology augment human intuition during the construction process.

It is relatively simple to add or subtract members to the construct, allowing it to grow and adapt to user preferences. By democratizing the production of form, architecture can begin to embrace bottom-up methods of production in physical constructs. 

 
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Status: Built
Location: Tokyo, JP
My Role: Design and Project Management Leader
Additional Credits: Joint thesis project with Anders Rod, design and project management support by Gilang Arenza, Rat Sam. Fabrication team: Chloe Ying Xu, Takahiro Osaka, Haruka Uchida, Christopher Wilkens, Kenneth Larssen Lønning, Nicky Li, Sion Asada, Takeru Kumagai, Alric Lee, Rodrigo Fortes, Saki Uchida. Generous support by Obuchi Lab, Kuma Lab, Sato Lab, Ozone Gallery Shinjuku.

 
3D-pen used to construct pavilion
3D-pen used to construct pavilion
3D-pen diagram
3D-pen diagram
3D-pen in use
3D-pen in use
after an hour of practice, anyone can use the 3D-pen to make the structure
after an hour of practice, anyone can use the 3D-pen to make the structure
the acrylic rods are given a coating of PLA to provide a base from which to draw
the acrylic rods are given a coating of PLA to provide a base from which to draw
a 3D-tracking clip allows fabricators to monitor the position of each acrylic rod in real-time
a 3D-tracking clip allows fabricators to monitor the position of each acrylic rod in real-time
3D-tracking clip diagram
3D-tracking clip diagram
when the rod is at the correct angle and location, lights installed in the clip turn solid
when the rod is at the correct angle and location, lights installed in the clip turn solid
the clip and pen being used in tandem
the clip and pen being used in tandem
the pavilion was prefabricated as two pieces and connected together on-site
the pavilion was prefabricated as two pieces and connected together on-site
Drawing the structure together
Drawing the structure together
the team finishing the installation
the team finishing the installation
plastic strings bind acrylic rods together
plastic strings bind acrylic rods together
detail of structure and connections
detail of structure and connections
detail of base - acrylic rods are inserted into aluminium poles
detail of base - acrylic rods are inserted into aluminium poles
roof structure composed of 3D-printed connection caps and plastic membrane
roof structure composed of 3D-printed connection caps and plastic membrane