a workshop exploring natural forces as form-finding process
In their book ‘The Parsimonious Universe’ Hildebrandt and Tromba describe some of the principles underlying the shape of natural forms. One of the key conclusions is that nature often follows a path of minimal effort to find an equilibrium of required energy, material use and performance.
Within this workshop we explored the potential of using water, gravity, heat, air and other natural forces as tools to mould sinuous surfaces and forms from a biodegradable polyester named Polycaprolactone.
PCL, also known as Polymorph is hard and tough when cold but thermally deforms once heated above 60°C. Additionally we added thermochromic pigments to enhance the appearance and properties of the material. Navigating our materiality on the narrow path between chance and control we studied questions of scale, continuity and inversion.
