First week, First critique

Our first week of SmartSurfaces is complete, and the second week is already well-underway.  Our team is excitedly moving forward with a positive, helpful critique and workshop under our belts.

The critique was really more a series of suggestions and possibilities for what our project could become.  Some of the key points that came out during the critique were:

1. Consider using natural material properties to operate otherwise mechanically-complex mechanisms.  How could scale have an impact on this?  For example, a much smaller version of this project could curl up by placing a droplet of water on it.

2. Maybe the form doesn't need to close entirely into a spheroid.  Consider alternating the direction of the folding/buckling to create a more open environment.  Create an undulating surface as opposed to a closed-off sphere.

3. How can we make it simpler?  Currently the cable system is complex, finicky, and potentially expensive to build (there is a lot of stress built up in the cable tracks).  Can we achieve the same motion with less material and simpler mechanisms?

4. The project is "fascinating" so far.  I think that Karl meant that he felt we were on to something with playing with polyhedra, their nets, and the themes of "collection".

Our reverse-brainstorming session helped our group realize that we are all interested in the implementation of vegetative life in urban environments.  So, we are now applying this form to urban environments, and considering how we could make a "smart" urban garden.  How could the urban garden observe and respond to its environment?  What could be exposed?  What curves should we create or cover with shapes?

A note on groupwork and team efficiency:  Last week we stayed up way too late way too many nights.  Most of that time was spent building the mechanical system that failed anyways.  Yet, our project was still well-received.  I think we should reevaluate how we spend our time.  Also, I think we need to be more honest to ourselves about what is plausible with the materials we are given.  This week, we are separating into two subgroups for the first couple days.  This way we can come together with some models and at least two fleshed-out potential projects.  Then, we can choose one and spend the remaining 75% of our time bringing it to reality.