Urban hammock
Urban hammock
The whole concept of the bench is based on the treatment of color as light. Mexican artist Gabriel Dawe treats this in his various installations of color strings as the density of light. Also, architect Luis Barragan reflects in his work that color is light. I decided to create a bench that would contrast with the Industrial context, yet embrace it symbolically by the use of recycled thermo mechanically treated (TMT) steel bars from demolished concrete buildings.
The structure was a bit more challenging because I wanted to create a form that would function as a structure and yet, be ergonomic. So, I decided to use the hyperbolic paraboloid as an inspiration to my design. This led me to research Spanish architect, Felix Candela and his active-form structures. From the investigation, I learned that straight lines compose most of these structures, so this resulted in the design of color plastic strings, which would create the hyperbolic structure. Furthermore, the strings idea reminded me of a hammock, so naturally, that’s where the name came from.
The major challenge was to adapt the idea of the string structure to make it ergonomic; so I took some measurements from an ergonomics book, and adapted the bench’s measurements to be most comfortable. Even though I resolved the structure of the seat, I had yet to define the overall structure; which would have to respond to the tension generated by the strings. So I diagramed the forces, which acted upon the structure and tried to equilibrate them with forces in opposite directions. That is how I came to the idea of making two steel crosses, suspended by two steel squares that function as armrests.
All the steel structure was made with a 5/8” steel bar. Finally, the cost was, to my surprise, very low. The total cost of the bench was of 250 USD; noticing that I had to buy the steel bar. By recycling one, the price would be way lower. as well as being cheap, the urban hammock is eco-friendly because of the materials with which is made. The plastic strings are made from recycled plastic and it is intended to get the steel bars from demolished buildings. In addition to being a sustainable design, the bench is waterproof and is easy to dry; all you need to do is pull the strings as if you were playing a guitar. This is really helpful because you can use it anytime; even when it’s raining.
Another advantage would be the lightness of the bench. It is light enough to move it, but heavy enough, not to steal it! Overall, the design is very simple: recycled steel bars and color strings made out of recycled plastic, which form a light and ergonomic structure
The whole concept of the bench is based on the treatment of color as light. Mexican artist Gabriel Dawe treats this in his various installations of color strings as the density of light. Also, architect Luis Barragan reflects in his work that color is light. I decided to create a bench that would contrast with the Industrial context, yet embrace it symbolically by the use of recycled thermo mechanically treated (TMT) steel bars from demolished concrete buildings.
The structure was a bit more challenging because I wanted to create a form that would function as a structure and yet, be ergonomic. So, I decided to use the hyperbolic paraboloid as an inspiration to my design. This led me to research Spanish architect, Felix Candela and his active-form structures. From the investigation, I learned that straight lines compose most of these structures, so this resulted in the design of color plastic strings, which would create the hyperbolic structure. Furthermore, the strings idea reminded me of a hammock, so naturally, that’s where the name came from.
The major challenge was to adapt the idea of the string structure to make it ergonomic; so I took some measurements from an ergonomics book, and adapted the bench’s measurements to be most comfortable. Even though I resolved the structure of the seat, I had yet to define the overall structure; which would have to respond to the tension generated by the strings. So I diagramed the forces, which acted upon the structure and tried to equilibrate them with forces in opposite directions. That is how I came to the idea of making two steel crosses, suspended by two steel squares that function as armrests.
All the steel structure was made with a 5/8” steel bar. Finally, the cost was, to my surprise, very low. The total cost of the bench was of 250 USD; noticing that I had to buy the steel bar. By recycling one, the price would be way lower. as well as being cheap, the urban hammock is eco-friendly because of the materials with which is made. The plastic strings are made from recycled plastic and it is intended to get the steel bars from demolished buildings. In addition to being a sustainable design, the bench is waterproof and is easy to dry; all you need to do is pull the strings as if you were playing a guitar. This is really helpful because you can use it anytime; even when it’s raining.
Another advantage would be the lightness of the bench. It is light enough to move it, but heavy enough, not to steal it! Overall, the design is very simple: recycled steel bars and color strings made out of recycled plastic, which form a light and ergonomic structure
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