FY-Langes

New York, NY, United States

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Other Projects by Columbia University GSAPP, Avery Digital Fabrication Laboratory

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Going Away - Paris Atelier 2013

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Torino World Design Capital Pavilion

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FY-Langes

New York, NY, United States

Firm

Columbia University GSAPP, Avery Digital Fabrication Laboratory

YEAR

2012

“FY-Langes is a tactile, interactive, reconfigurable installation constructed almost exclusively from packing foam. The aim was to experiment with a conventional material in an unconventional way, testing the limits of its performance in order to create an occupiable structure. Packing foam is an inexpensive, recyclable, water resistant and durable material with interesting physical properties. FY-Langes takes advantage of the translucent, tactile and light-weight quality of the foam and creates a playful experience for all kinds of users.The goal was to marry CNC cutting techniques with advanced digital design tools in a singular project. The system is comprised of repeating strands, each strand is built from repeating bale units. Each unit is comprised of a folded base and articulated phalanges (or “FY-Langes”). By varying the height of the base versus the height of the phalanges we are able to accommodate many interactive uses. A single sheet of foam generates four nested bales that are custom cut with a CNC router and then folded and tabbed together to create three-dimensional units. Tabs and notches are milled into the sheet and each bale is tabbed together, as well as tabbed to the next bale in the strip. The tabbing system allows us to build the entire structure using only packing foam, meaning each strip generates close to 0% waste when cut.FY-Langes is responsive to the environment; it moves with the wind, filters light and is shaped by the way people use it. One of the inherent strengths of the system is its inherent flexibility in the way it contours to users' bodies inviting them to interact with it in dynamic ways. FY-Langes, is a reconfigurable system, as its strands can work on their own - other uses include but are not limited to: wall/ceiling installations, furniture, outdoor components.“TEAM:Rand Abdul Jabbar (M.Arch ‘14)Aisha Alsager (MsAAD ‘12)Susan Bopp (M.Arch/MsHP ‘14)Justin Fabrikant (M.Arch ‘12)Rikki Frenkel (M.Arch ‘12)Joanne Hayek (MsAAD ‘12)Electra Kontoroupi (MsAAD ‘12)Mark Pothier (M.Arch ‘14)Nicholas Reiter (M.Arch ‘13)Jennifer Romeo (M.Arch ‘12)