Education 2008-2009 Semester 1

GROUP A - P1 Presentation: Habitual Inversion

The wireframe geometry of the component is broken down to simple movements and combined with other modules to create a system.  We have begun to think about the parametrisation of the system based on these simple geometric movements.  A cladding system composed of different material skins working in conjunction to have different performative functions is envisioned.

Component System - Variation Map

Recursive System - Adaptive Parameters

Component variation for building envelope- Animation 

Component Variants

Due to the component design of the Ipod, a low frequency electrical pulse is constantly running through the headphones.  By utilizing a custom wave form created in the code which to be downloaded on the Ipod, the low-frequency wave is transformed to a higher frequency zone.  When this electricity travels at this higher frequency wavelength through the headphones and has no sound output to release the energy, an electric pulse occurs - creating a taser which could possibly be used in situations that require self defense.

My task was to look at technical devices that we use in everyday life - how they adapt and why we replace them.  I ended choosing to focus on three electronic devices that are pretty common in almost everyone’s life nowadays.  The Ipod, a cellphone, and computers in general.  How they can adapt is directly linked to why we throw them away.  Any device is only as good as it is at the ’state of the art’, dangerous when related to an object that is meant to last more than a couple of months.

After these couple of months, a new ‘thing’ comes out that is faster, better, and can do more stuff - so the old thing in essence, is worthless.

People find a way to find entertaining ways to dispose undesired devices:

Will the Iphone Blend????

Devices ‘adapt’ when people manipulate the devices to be used for other functions for which they were not originally intended.  This can also go the other way, unconventional ways can be developed to make the device work better or differently. Poignant examples of such actions can be seen in a few examples below:

Hack a Coke Machine

Turn your Ipod into a Taser

Charge an Ipod using an Onion!

One pioneer in the low-tech hack of electronic devices is Bert Bongers, he gave a lecture at Hyperbody last semester that was extremely illuminating.  His work is playfully ingenuous and definitely worth taking a look at.  His Site. One of my personal favorite projects is the personal video projector that can be carried around wherever a movie ’should’ be played.