RISD Interior Architecture | Exhibition Design | Fall 2022 |Museum of Natural History, Cape Cod
Understanding & Replicating Bio-mimicry with physical model making
STAGE 1 - SETTING THE FRAMEWORK
In this stage the initial frame is set up which will support the new web.
STAGE 2 - CREATING SURFACES
Addition of more threads allow for creation of surfaces or different shapes and sizes in all various axes.
STAGE 3 - DERIVATION OF SPACES
The surfaces allow for creation of inhabitable spaces which can now be used for display and interaction.
The primary aim of this space is to allow for free range of navigation, the use of the entire body to experience the space.
Schematic Plan with recommended navigation path. Schematic Plan with recommended navigation path
Schematic Section depicting volumetric diversity of spaces
ZONE 1 - LEARNING THROUGH ACTIVITY
In this zone the audience is encouraged to move around the entire volume of the space, repair the web, learn about bio mimicry used in Kevlar and in the design of the robotic arm.
ZONE 2- LEARNING THROUGH NAVIGATION
In this zone the audience is encouraged to climb the “web” like a spider would and through this, explore navigation in a web.
ZONE 3 - LEARNING THROUGH EXPLORATION
In this zone, the audience will have to physically bend and crawl through the space to get around. Here, they will see, experience and learn about spider web glass.
Through this unique experience I wish to demonstrate the concepts of sustainability, interactive experiences and learning through exploration and play. The process of making a physical model allowed me to new materials and techniques enhancing the conceptualization and design development phases.
Tight corners and low heights will encourage adults to bend and crawl and even lay on their backs to explore a space where as spaces with large volumes will encourage everyone to climb the nets. The audience will be able to “jump” from one space to another and access all the sides of the diorama from whichever side appeals to them the most.
There is no beginning or end to the space.
// Sketchup, Photoshop, InDesign, hand model crafted with wood, thread & fabric
The Spider Silk Factory
Exhibition installation to celebrate the museum’s 70th anniversary
To celebrate their 70th anniversary, The Museum of Natural History, asked us to design an immersive diorama experience to
explain the concept of biomimicry to children between the ages of 5-12. I chose to explore the spider web.
“The smallest creatures can teach us the greatest things…”
This diorama is inspired by nature ; by observing the common backyard spider and their webs in greater structural detail while
trying to decode the process of web building and using these inferences as Instructions to design a space. I wish to investigate the themes of learning by experiencing. This
diorama includes a combination of threadwork and nets, both which mimic various types of spider silk and webs.
The audience is encouraged to completely immerse themselves into the diorama using their entire body to experience various
volumes, to explore and to navigate spaces. I also encourage the audience to feel and interact with the different materials, climb
the nets, crawl, lay down and soak in all the information about our creepy crawly friends - the spiders and their webs.
