Creased Performance

Abigore, a Japanese robot from a distant future, is comprised of many disparate parts that perform diametrically. The robot is designed to function as a battle-droid; ready for combat, however his construct is geared mainly towards aerodynamics in flight. Joint pieces are utilitarian in nature with casings that are anthropomorphic and are distinguished from their more aerodynamic breathren through simple color coding.

Aesthetically, the components that make up this robot correspond to function. Drag coefficients are reduced through careful manipulation of form as to provide optimal response in flight. The way the head protrudes into a scythe-like horn directly corresponds to the robots kinetic ability to manuveure in flight. The chassis its mid sections is broken up into a tryptich of specific performances; the shoulders are widened and contoured in order to break air around the upper appendages, and the body’s massive frame allows there to be continuity between the head and the rest of the body. It is also interesting to note that the lower extremeties also help to reduce drag and provide the connection aesthetically necessary with the rest of the body.

The range of Abigor’s movements are confined to subtle hinges and pivots that in flight would be able to efficiently facilitate his maneuverability. Coding becomes equally important as functional attributes are coupled with the aesthetic qualities. Here, tectonics, specifically the exterior panels, relate aesthetically and purposefully to jet airplanes, which are engineered and tailored by aerodynamic forces in order to perform optimal flight. The morphology of the playplanter is regulated by tracing the profile curvature of some of Abigor’s aerodynamic shell. In this version, the scale does not yet engage adult height. Further analysis will critique this iteration sufficiently enough to create a critical rubric.

For measures of performance, the group chose to analyze the inherent performative qualities of a Japanese Gundam warrior. The analysis involved understanding the design techniques employed on the toy in order to calibrate and direct our investigations into possible readaptation of/for performance. Using advanced modeling techniques as well as analytical software we looked to see how the particular creasing occuring on the model could be increased in scale and intention. At times directing, at other times influencing the design process was a critical understanding of how inflections in form can create ecologies and moments for cover and repose.

The overall scheme of the design at this scale, is composed of cavity-like spaces, accommodating ecological growth at these collective anomolies as well as instances of shelter and youthful inhabitation of jungle gym occurences. These cavities are produced by the protrusions of this aggregated system of components at certain intervals to allow structural capability.

Smooth, continuious deformations of the original iteration preserve ecological cavities for optimal water collection and solid volumous spaces decompose into skeletal monkey bars that course through the center of the system. The structural components pierce the undulating landscape at concave points to generate overall stability without sacrificing aesthetical aerodynamic flow from the body to the groundplane.