<<Sphere>>

Fall 2011
Premise: constructive compositional, 50% mass, 50% void
Abstract proposal (no site)
Professor: William O'Brien

The String Sphere represents an investigation of a single, winding path within a spherical domain. This basic premise presents numerous opportunities for formal techniques in packing, porosity, and qualities of temporal suggestion.

The methodical layering system of “string” has developed from a set of variables such as section shape, size, and spacing; layer interconnections, and packing distribution along surface. Strict rules for specific geometry are the result of tuning these variables, though the variables can attain a wide variety of generative forms. Gaps in the surface allow views into the interior spaces and provide insight into the nature of the sphere’s topology.

Several iterations were initially modeled in order to better understand and define the parameters of the project. In order to limit the factors for evaluation, some rules are set: the “string” never intersects itself, it must retain the form of a sphere by substantially and evenly filling the space, the volume within the sphere is approximately 50% solid and 50% void. It resolves with a nearly infinite possible number of threshold readings as the void is continuous, but without sequence. Basing the layer patterning on mathematical solutions of rope packing on a sphere, the length manages to become quite impressive. To even greater effect, the section diameter of the string becomes exponentially smaller in order to accommodate an approximately even ratio of mass to space.

Under the porous skin, the string winds into smaller and more spatial configurations. Gravity seems to be centralized, causing a gyroscopic trajectory for the path. This path deviates only to transition to the next order of orbit.

Tyler Crain