BENV1010 Week 8: Communicating Materiality / Choosing Materials

Physical Models - Material Photoshop Activity

For my models, I decided against applying materials to all the different faces / elements as I liked to still be able to see the detail in the structure, and felt that the addition of materials to only select surfaces created almost a "swatch" effect.

Material Combination 1

interior of model with materials

For this first experiment, I decided to use timber and brick.  As the torch light I used cast a very warm glow over the model, I wanted materials that accentuated the atmosphere it created.  Both the timber floorboards and brick wall contain red hues, which compliment the warmth of the light.  Additionally, I chose to place my model in an early morning setting, as I felt the sunrise matched the gentle tone of the shadows.

Material Combination 2

exterior of model with materials

model in landscape

material / style inspiration

For the second experiment, I took inspiration from a photo of an apartment block that I saw online (pictured above).  I really liked the uniformity of the structure, and the different ways concrete had been used.  I also thought the varying pops of colour within each balcony added life to the building and broke up the plainness of the concrete.  A bright orange plaster wall is featured on the interior of my model, and two different types of concrete have been used for the floor and external wall.  It was very difficult to put this model into an environment due to the angle that the photo was taken.

Material Combination 3

exterior of model with materials

model in landscape

For this final experiment, I wanted to play with lines and repetition through the chosen materials.  I enjoy how the grooves of the corrugated iron featured on the porch roof almost mirrors the planks of timber below.  This particular view of the porch reminded me of a farmhouse, so I placed it in a rural setting.  To continue the rural theme, I chose to place worn timber floorboards in the interior of the space.  As with the first experiment, I thought that a sunrise would best compliment the shadows cast through the model.

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Fusion 360
Material Combination 1

Materials:

• 3D Maple - Semigloss
• Glass - Light Colour (Blue)
• Mirror

For this experiment I wanted a combination of materials that felt light and airy, as the model itself is of the same nature.  Glass has been used on one section of the model as a way of opening up the tunnel / cavity without removing part of the shape.  It also allows for an alternate view inside the model.  Light timber was chosen as the texture provided a nice pattern, whilst still appearing simple and delicate.  Mirror was used on the front and back faces to highlight the shape of the letters.

Material Combination 2

Materials:

• Copper - Raw
• Granite - Blue Pearl
• Powder Coat - Rough (Black)

There wasn't a specific theme for this material combination, I just wanted it to be very different from the previous one.  The entire inside of the shape has been covered in a black powder coat.  The matte texture of the powder coat minimises the amount of light being reflected inside the shape, adding an element of mystery as you can't see exactly what is inside.  Granite has been applied to the front and back of the shape, with the white flecks in the stone serving to separate the material from the powder coat.  The entire exterior of the model has been covered in copper as I liked how the shininess and warm colouring contrasted the other materials.

Material Combination 3

front and back view to show the different colours

Materials:

• Paint - Enamel Glossy (White)
• Paint - Enamel Glossy (Red)
• Paint - Enamel Glossy (Yellow)
• Mirror
• Walnut

This material combination is inspired by the Eames storage units, and other similar pieces of furniture from that era.  I like the contrast between the shiny, smooth white enamel paint and the dark textured timber.  The red and yellow serve to define the shape of the letters, as well as contrast the other, more monochromatic materials.  Mirror has been applied to the inside of the model as I liked the abstract shapes that were formed from the reflected surfaces.