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HARESH LALVANI 2014-2015

By Haresh Lalvani

School of Architecture, Center for Experimental Structures

Work by Haresh Lalvani
Work by Haresh Lalvani
Work by Haresh Lalvani
Work by Haresh Lalvani
Work by Haresh Lalvani
Work by Haresh Lalvani
Work by Haresh Lalvani
Work by Haresh Lalvani
Work by Haresh Lalvani
Work by Haresh Lalvani
Work by Haresh Lalvani
Work by Haresh Lalvani
Work by Haresh Lalvani
Work by Haresh Lalvani
Work by Haresh Lalvani
Work by Haresh Lalvani

ONE-SIDED HYPER MINIMAL SURFACE

We present the first example of a one-sided minimal surface embedded in higher-dimensional space (n+1 dimensions) and projected in 3-dimensions. Its “plan” is a 2-dimensional projection of a cubic lattice of dimension n, +1 is the “vertical” dimension. This provides the starting point for development of a new outdoor experimental structure for OMI Architecture, Ghent, NY. At OMI’s request, the project was initiated at Lalvani Studio (1-10), and developed with Pratt students (11-17). This multi-semester project is expected to be completed in June 2017. We present progress from earlier semesters starting Fall 2014.

Form (1-10): Top two rows of images (1,2) show sequence of development of the one-sided minimal surface (d) from basic source geometry (a) comprising 3 cells, each with red and blue polygons. The bounding boxes of these cells are deformed cubes. The edges and faces of cells are curved in (b) and tensed into a minimal surface in (c) leading to the topological emergence of an interior (red) column. The upper red polygons are twisted in (d) to obtain a one-sided minimal surface, a complex 3d version of the Mobius strip.

The images that follow (3-10) show the architectonic quality of the form and spaces obtained this way. Images show different views of the starting surface and the derivative one-sided minimal surface.

Development/Production (11-17):  Since alucobond, a rigid sheet material, was available for building, the challenge was to build a complex surface from flat sheets. This led to a laminated shell structure built from layered and contoured strips to achieve a monocoq shell construction from flat rigid parts. Images show the first iteration of this building system fabricated from 1/16” thick laser-cut chipboard strips. Automated procedures for generating strips at variable inclinations along with indices for assembly were developed. The images show a fully assembled maquette and parts/strips before assembly. Currently, we are refining the production method, scaling up the system and developing sub-assemblies to facilitate full-scale production in alucobond with industry partner Milgo-Bufkin.   

Digital Expert: Patrick Donbeck
Rendering (right page): Anna Oldakowski
Students (Production/Development): Hayden Minick, Charlene Leung, Hilary Flannery, Zherui Wang, Ardon Lee, Anna Aoldowski, Diane Juarez, Vincent Zheng.