above: digital model with a planar overall geometry and straight edges.

below: digital model with a overall hypar geometry and fixed points along the edges

The top gradient image was used to make a pixelated image which in turn informed the cutting-pattern for the membrane patch. The size of the x-cuts  follow the darkness of the corresponding grid square on the pixelated image. The darkest areas have x-cuts which fill the whole grid square. The corners of the x-cut-flaps are pushed away from the membrane by a strut which increase in lenght as the cuts get bigger. Like in the previous model it is introduced an extra cut along the grid lines between two black grid-squares.

Membrane systems are in many aspects already characterized by gradual change. This model uses the concept of fading in its basic structure, making this quality act on another level. The systems ability to transform (gradually or suddenly) makes it flexible and potentially able to perform according to different needs throughout the system.

The basic idea is a continuous membrane with small holes that transforms gradually to a system of individual small patches in space.

Patches that are small in relation to the spaceframe can easily be arranged in quite freely in complex systems within the frame. In this model we have varied the density of membranes throughout the frame. The square patches are all connected, some to just one other patch, most of them to two or more.

Shading-patterns at different angles on the sun. (above)

These patches are “too big” for the frame. We cut minimal holes in them in order to make room for the joints in the frame. The frame had to be extended to be able to push the flaps in the minimal holes away from the joints.

Square membrane patches attached to the spaceframe, “filling the holes”.