Space materiality:

The idea of my space mat final project was to generate a minimal surface inspired space, which one could experience in some sort.

When first creating this minimal surface structure, I seek inspiration from  ‘animal architects’ (animal nests). After thorough research, I chose to observe the bumble bee as my reference animal. I was fascinated by the bee’s larvae nesting qualities as its nests exhibit rather robust qualities, whilst being a delicate structure. This paradox fascinated me and therefore I chose to foster my research.  Relevant to my findings, I continued my project by thoroughly brainstorming ideas and drawing sketches for possible designs, which ultimately led me to the final piece.

Furthermore, I wanted the viewers to engage their senses and ‘experience’ the piece, rather than singularly visually observing it.  Thus I focused on making the design hollow inside so that one could lie underneath/inside it, creating a sense of being inside the bees comb. This sensation is supposed to recreate an enigma as if the viewer was part of the bee comb family so that one could experience  life as a bumblebee larvae.

When regarding the matter of how my surface stimulates human sense, I decided to incorporate various techniques. Firstly, using the sense of smell, I spray the entire comb area with honey and sandalwood scented perfume, as this would create a sense of being inside a bee comb as a larval, smelling the bees fresh honey (larval nurturing food).

Also, I placed little honey flavored pieces of candy inside each of the little nest structures, so that the persons experiencing the space may take a candy.(A) This aspect can be seen as a metaphor for the larval being nurtured by honey the bumble bees create, so when the human eats the candy, it is as if they were nurtured by the structure.

The structure will be located at the side of elevator NR 1 in the lobby of the Parsons 2W 13th Street building. This is so that the seating inside this lobby area can be combined with my structure. The round beds would be inserted inside the structure so that the viewer can lie on the bed and be located inside the surface at the same time and rest like a larval.

(A)How person interacts with sturcture

CHOSEN SPACE BY THE LOBBY:

 

 

Prototype:

 

 

The detailing (larval nests) I am producing from paper. It will be placed upon the structure as if growing outwards from the center of the piece :

AFTERLIFE OF THE STRUCTURE:

A                                                                 B

A: Removing the Larval  – Cups, making them into various objects of various use(vases, lights etc)

B: Using the structure as a work place ‘aid’.