Inspiration for the layered contour model as inspired by Heatherwick studio's Buddhist temple as well as rice patty field, which create contours in the mountains across many Asian countries. I also looked at rock sediment and the way in which ripples had been created over time, causing contouring. All of these aspects of the natural and un natural environment combine to create a heatherwick inspired design. 

Heatherwick studio consists of makers and problem solvers who all have a wish to make the lived environment a better place. They create buildings, spaces, master plans, objects and infstructures which are designed to create positive change and social impact. The motivation behind the design is for it to be interesting and complex, a representation of the world. Heatherwick studios creates designs which are rooted to abstract ideas and inspiration. Their model making techniques are based off other ideas which are transformed into a larger scale creations or idea. Their ideas of construction three–dimensional spaces have evolved from ordinary designs and are created as more of a statement, something for those who use the structure to enjoy. The models I have researched are from a temple proposal in Kagoshima, Japan, in which a contoured model was created and represents the curved shapes of the design, this model also represents the negative space, common in heatherwick designs. The technique of a clearly layered prototype as seen in the temple proposal is crucial to the effect the building has, inspired by billowing cloth the temple demonstrates this through the curvature of the model. The technique of layering forms clever ideas about the construction possibilities for the design. How the space inside the structure is also interesting, as the clear curves and unusual shape created through this modelling technique. The use of materials such as clay and silk were chosen as a medium to represent the models. A finalised thin, rubbery foam was created to show the structure as it had the ability to be manipulated and to fold. Similar to the temple the east beach café represents layering and the idea of contours, it is displayed slightly differently due to the flipped effect. Although the same effect of negative space is created. 

Temple designed for Kagoshima, Japan

Client – Shingon-hu Buddhist organisation

Location – kagoshima, Japan

Appointment – 2001

Project Leader – Kieran Gaffney

Studio Team – Rachel hain, Neil Hubbard, Stuart Wood

Collaborators – Karou Okamura, Trevor Laidler, Packman Lucas, Mawatari Kogyo k.k., Master bros, theo theodorou, Royal National Throat Nose and ear hospital. 

A very clear pattern of layering is clear as well as the use of the same material, this creates a very clear pattern in how the model is made as well as how it fits into its environment. The model is designed to fit into a Japanese country environment, therefore through the use of repetitive elements in shape and material it replicates the mountains and uneven format of its environment.  

The materials used in the model a rubberish foam was used as it was foldable and modeable. It was then lasercut to create the layering.

East beach cafe

Client – Private developer / Brownfield Catering

Location – Littlehampton, UK

Appointment – 2005

Completion –  2007

Size – 232 sqm

Project leader – Peter Ayres

Studio team –  Fred Manson, Virginia Lope, Frechilla, George, Thomson, Jem Hanbury, Adelina Iliev

Collaboraters - AMA Consulting, Adams Kara Taylor, Advance Screeding, Alan Clayton Design, Boxall Sayer, Chant Electrical, D10 Engineering, Langridge Developments, Into Lighting, Littlehampton Welding, Janet Turner, RBC, Renotherm, Ron Packman, Rustington Windows, Solarlux, Wordsearch

The model is created to encapsulate the view across the water as well as to experience the environment through a building which reflects its environment. The space is created through large ribbons of shingled sheet metal which means the interior is designed to fit inside these sharp shapes. 

Observations

The design appears as a contour model, except flipped on its side

The use of sheet metal

A single level design

Placed into its environment as an abstract piece which seems to match and fit

The use of repetitive elements, such as glass and metal sheets

Curved shapes

The containment of space is strange due to the large disjointed sharp materials protruding from the interior, as though the space shouldn’t exist, instead it appears to be sculpted from the inside.

The patterns seen are in the use of repetitive materials of only glass and steel, as well as this the contoured appearance of the metal. This pattern creates an outstanding design which captures the eye due to its strange appearance as well as how it stands out from its environment as well as encapsulating its elements. 

The model was computer generated, then laser cup and placed together through the use of MDF wood another model was made form paper which created the folds and captures this idea of folding and layering to create space. 

The materials used to create the model were mdf and to construct the space was glass and metal.

Both of these models and buildings are inspiration for the style of building or structure I wish to create inspired by Heatherwick. Both models involve the use of negative space, in which humans interact with and use, this is something I wish to use in my own design.

To follow Heatherwick studio’s model designs I will need to use a repeating material, as a repeated element, this will ensure the design fits the same method of making. I will also use contour modelling techniques as this will present the same effect as present in my inspired heatherwick’s designs. Heatherwick studios is often also inspired by everyday things, this is something I aim to portray through my model. The resources I will need to use involve is researching how heatherwick designed their models and buildings which is done through their website as well as this borrowing books which have information on the studio.

My design will be created through pins and balsa wood which will enable me to create contoured models with the use of space. These materials will be layered.

These materials were chosen as they effectively show layering through their thickness, they are easy to transform into different shapes through cutting and plyable when working with needles. 

Balsa wood comes in many different thicknesses which means I can change to suit what is being designed. The joinery of the materials is done with glue as well as the use of pins to create space and allow the flow of negative space around the building. 

The texture of balsa wood is smooth, but when broken or snapped can be sharp and pointed. When shaped depending on the thickness balsa wood can be malleable but also sharp and difficult to control. Light does not interact with balsa wood as it is a solid material it can not pass through it and it does not reflect therefore can not be reflected from it. As balsa is a type of wood light is absorbed rather than bouncing off or passing through. 

The idea of negative space is important to the designs of heatherwick studio, as many of their designs involve a space inside a structure of building, often the use of negative space is involved for the building revolves around an empty space.  

These early concept sketches  of the design are drawn through an axonometric style which aims to envision the work from different angles, this helps to understand the aesthetic as well as general make up of the design and how it will configure effectively.  

Through layering to create an object in multiple units that allows for extreme geometries, similar to work inspired by heatherwick studio I have been able to create an architectural space in the city. It is a model which allows for interaction with the environment, it is inspired by natural objects such as rice patty fields, as well as a rock formation contour shape. Through this making technique of layering to build contours in the shape of the structure, I have created a piece which echoes the values of heatherwick studios, of creating beautiful spaces and environments. I began to notice that the design technique was common in other designs such as a reception desk. Heatherwick studio creates designs which use negative space, to its advantage and creates structures which involve an enveloping emptiness into the design. The structure I have developed is created to involve this as well, therefore recreating a very unique quality of heatherwick studios. 

The designs created by heatherwick studios range between cafes to temples and huge architectural spaces. These different designs are located in many different areas, from bare beaches to the centre of bustling cities like London. My design creates its own space, it can be redesigned for a variety of environments, in the city as a structure it is eye catching as its appearance is that of a very organic and natural shape and style due to its inspiration. It may be used as a viewing platform, or gallery. The perspective of the structure can be changed, it may become a seat, remaining inside its organic shape it may be proposed as a place of rest, its scale would decrease and the negative space may give the effect of floating. This structure is designed to be transformable due to its repetitive nature, this is shown through materials as well as the effect it has on its user through their own reading of the space, aesthetic as well as its proposed use. 

The following four sets of images consist of model iterations 

These three images are the final structure.

Through model iterations, practising axonometric sketching, researching into my chosen group and discussions with peers and teacher, I have been able to convey an effective representation of the work style of heatherwick studio. 

Reference list

Dang, T. 2019, Mây Ngàn Thơ & Nhạc, YouTube. viewed 27 August 2019, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfKHmSJrWyo>.

Nelson, M. 1986, Layering: Approaching the 'Layer' as a Formal Element and a Significant Metaphor in Artmaking, Leonardo, vol 19, no 3, p.223.

Heatherwick Studio | Design & Architecture | Buildings 2019, Heatherwick Studio | Design & Architecture. viewed 25 August 2019, <http://www.heatherwick.com/projects/buildings/?from_proj=temple>.

Heatherwick, T. 2012, Making, 1st edn, Thames & Hudson Ltd, London.

Taylor, A. 2019, The Beauty of Terraced Fields, The Atlantic. viewed 27 August 2019, <https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/09/the-beauty-of-terraced-fields/502058/>.