Student(s)
/Department

Description

Masato Takahash
Architecture and Interiors

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Gossamer veil – Masato had created a small chair made from a stiffened ‘veil’. He plans to use steel mesh that would be coated in mortar plus an accelerating agent and then draped over a chair and sprayed with water. After the veil has gained sufficient strength the chair would be removed resulting in a translucent seat that would appear weightless. The judges were intrigued by the idea. At the workshop Carole Vincent suggested that Masato experiment with different materials and create a series of maquettes before attempting the full-size piece as he will find concrete more difficult than plaster for coating the material. She suggested some specialist cements that would do the job.

Rupert Walshe
Architecture and Interiors

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Temporal concrete – Rupert plans to produce an interactive concrete facade in front of an existing building. His proposal showed architecturally featured concrete panels with concrete floors tiles laid in front that would detect vibrations caused by pedestrians. Using electromagnetic technology from the transport industry that would act upon the reinforcing in the concrete, the whole façade would react to the environment by continually moving and fluxing. The aim was to allow this material that is conventionally perceived to be heavy and static to obtain a lightness and temporality, enabling it to respond to the faintest vibration and otherwise imperceptible sounds This concept impressed the judges, but at the workshop queries were raised about the compatibility of electromagnets with concrete. In addition, more information was required about the visual appearance of the tiles and panels.

Phoebe Cummings & Stine Jesperson
Ceramics and Glasss

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Kay Wong
Constructed Textiles

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Concrete – female, androgynous or male? – Kay combined gold knitted cloth, woven fabric and buttons with concrete to create some exciting pieces. She plans to explore the feminine, poetic, philosophical and softer possibilities of concrete by juxtaposing the hard and soft materials in an examination of the crossover between concrete embedded into fabric and fabric into concrete. The judges enjoyed the exuberance of the pieces, but pointed out that Kay now needs to address the problems of making her pieces in concrete rather than plaster. She will need to consider the weight and finish, and experiment before making the final design.

Il Hoon Roh
Design Products

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Non-directional spatial skeleton structure – Il Hoon showed a skeletal structure created by filling the interstices between a group of compressed ‘pneus’ or spheres. He plans to use reinforced concrete in this way to produce a honeycombed structure that would be light yet strong and could be used for buildings. The judges were impressed by the development work he had carried out on the shape and degree of compression of the ’pneus’. These experiments were on a small scale using plaster, and Carole pointed out that concrete does not flow as easily. Self compacting concrete would go some way to solving his problems. As his concepts are for large-scale building sized structures Il Hoon will have the time and space to produce only a series of maquettes, which should reflect his ambitions rather than be experimental.

Peter Brewin & Will Crawford
Industrial Design Engineering

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Concrete tents – Peter and Will produced a range of stiffened sacking samples to show how their planned emergency tents would work. Their proposal involves the use of fabric impregnated with a dry mortar mix that would be delivered in bags to emergency situations. There they would be wetted in the bag and unfolded before inflation. After the fabric had hardened, the inflation device would be removed, leaving a 2 metre high tent that could be used as a field hospital or to provide warm accommodation for refugees. The practicality and potential to save lives interested the judges who were impressed by the way they had thought through the problems of supporting the material and uplifting it. Carole pointed out that they would need a quick setting cement to produce a rapidly hardening concrete, and they would face the problems caused by the extreme heat or cold likely to be encountered in the potential countries of use.

Miranda Newberry & Rachel Roberts
Industrial Design Engineering

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Sense – Miranda and Rachel aim to combine aroma and concrete to create a whole new experience. Using micro-encapsulation techniques, they plan to impregnate a concrete park bench that would release a range of aromas, depending where the visitor was seated. They also envisage a ‘smellscape’ provided by plinths and other items arranged in a garden - even a rubbish bin with a pleasant smell. The originality of the whole idea pleased the judges, but they thought the design of the seat was lumpy and had not been thought of in terms of the mould required to produce it. Carole suggested a way round this to Miranda and Rachel, and suggested that the final piece should be smaller than planned because of the weight.

Marko Plevnik
Industrial Design Engineering

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Concrete food – Marko explored the form, texture and colour of concrete for use as tableware. His designs showed some stylish tableware that he proposes to make from concrete cast in moulds. Interest would be added by using black and coloured concrete together with unconventional shapes. The judges liked the idea and impressed on him the importance of sealing the surface. Marko’s designs had been conceived in plastic, and Carole pointed out to him the problems likely to be encountered when filling moulds made with undercuts. The concrete mix will have to be good and will need to be sealed if the pieces contain food and are to be frequently washed.

Daniel Sinsel & Tim Sutcliff
Industrial Design Engineering

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Structural furniture – Daniel and Tim investigated designing a small object with similar tools to those used for larger engineering projects, aiming to echo the elegance of large-scale concrete structures. They showed the plans for a three–legged concrete stool, bolted together with a toughened glass seat. Reinforced with steel, the pattern for each leg would be machined with a 5-axis CNC router, and the concrete would have a smooth finish. The judges appreciated the concept and the stylish design of the stool, but warned the students of difficulties of filling a small and narrow mould with concrete. At the workshop, Carole proposed a material that they should experiment with to overcome the problems of creating a slender weigh-bearing structure. She also thought that the top could be made of concrete, rather than glass, and suggested that they looked at Gaudi’s parabolic arches for inspiration.

Michael Delucia
Sculpture

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Water ripples – Michael plans to use concrete to create a coloured and textured image of water to provide a lush and decadent surface. This could be used as a wall panels, or to make tiles for use in tube stations or for the exterior of buildings. Working first in clay he will produce a mould from which to cast his concrete. The judges liked the soft, sensuality of the proposed surface, but wondered if he would have time to produce this piece.