Propose a final project that integrates the range of units covered

1. WHAT WILL IT DO?

I always have been fascinated to something that reacts. I am very fond of responsive architecture and I think that digital fabrication is a powerful tool which every architect and designer must have.
As final project, I would like to create an Interactive Shading System Kit which can have a double behaviour: as a "background program", which I will define "idle", the shading system will optimize the gain of light, according to the position of the Sun. Then, when the Ultrasonic sensor will detect the presence of people, the shading system will open according to a perspective view.

2. WHO'S DONE WHAT BEFOREHAND?

Plenty of architects and studios have already worked and produced facade. But, what exciting me the most is to create a system with few electronics components and simple processes. The most crucial issues is almost 90% of shading systems I saw is about the number of motors used. Everytime each unit requires a motor, to make a single unit work autonomously. But, since the Sunrays come to the Earth in a (let's assume) parallel way, why do we need all these motors? I will introduce my idea about that in the next paragraphs. Now I will share some links of some examples of kinetic facades.

2.1 Tony's Organic House by Playze, Shanghai

A very interesting project by Playze Architects. The facade system is very similar to the one I thought. Anyway here each unit requires an autonomous motor. Also, the main purpose of the shading system is to follow the sun.

2.2 Council House 2 by DesigninC – Melbourne, Australia.

A powerful project of Designinc in collaboration with City of Melbourne. "Nature is used as inspiration for façades that moderate climate, tapered ventilation ducts integrate with day lighting strategies and an evocative undulating concrete floor structure that plays a central role in the building’s heating and cooling."

2.3 One Ocean by Soma – Melbourne, Australia.

The aim of soma’s design was to create an iconic landmark that embodies the theme of the EXPO with architectural means, including a sustainable climate concept and a bionic kinetic facade.

3. WHAT MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS WILL BE REQUIRED?

My aim is to create a kit which anyone, in a fablab, can produce. So materials must be as simple as possible.
For that reason I think I will only need the following materials:

1. Plexiglass
2. Wires (line or metal wires)
3. PCB and smd electronic components
4. Nema 17 stepper motor + drivers x2
5. ATMega32
6. Ultrasonic sensor hc-sr04 x4
7. Fabrics for shading units
8. Threaded rod x3
9. Wood or aluminium bars for the structure
10. Springs
11. Cables for electronics
12. PLA or ABS for 3d printed pieces

4. WHERE WILL THEY COME FROM?

Mostly from the inventory of FabAcademy. I think only wires and fabrics are beyond the inventory.

5. WHAT PARTS AND SYSTEMS WILL BE MADE?

All the kit will include 2 systems: the machine and the shading unit. Shading unit for FabAcademy final project will be around 20 units. Machine will be only one.

6. WHAT PROCESSES WILL BE USED?

1. Laser Cutting
2. 3D printing
3. Electronics Production
4. Programming: Grasshopper + Firefly + Ladybug + Honeybee

7. WHAT TASKS NEED TO BE COMPLETED? / WHAT QUESTIONS NEED TO BE ANSWERED?

Concept and behaviour of inputs are done. I also designed the boards with the Ultrasonic Module during the input assignment. I need to model the machine and the shading unit, cut them, 3dprint the spring-gear, design a new board with atmega32, produce it and programm it. I also need to spend some days to understand how ladybug plugin works.

8. WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE?

June, 1st-8th = 2d Design, Assembly, Tests

June, 8th-15th = 3d model and 3d print spring gears, test gears, test ultrasonic sensors

June, 15th-22th = tests, starting construct algoritm with GH and LadyBug

June, 22th-29th = Tests and documentation

9. HOW WILL IT BE EVALUATED?

Energy efficiency, Design, production

10. HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?