Resin pouring

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Clara Jansen uses resin to show the water surface in her graduation model. A plate of plywood is used as a base because it’s stiffness and surface qualities. The edges have been sealed by pieces of MDF, which are treated to enable a smooth detachment. The resin has been colored by pigment powder to create the right contrast and to fit in the color scheme of the model.

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Before pouring the volume of the resin has been determined. MEK harder is added to the resin in the right percentage and the resin mixture is being mixed by hand. This is only possible if the right safety regulations are regarded, don’t try this at home! The resin is being poured carefully and the model has to rest for a weekend.

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Concrete casting

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Clara Jansen uses concrete in a repeated casting process. The wooden box can be reused, the foam blocks inside are different for every block. Before casting concrete it could help to read the following basic information:

• Mould making.

The mould must be watertight. This can be ensured by precise tailoring of the components from which the mold is made. If this is not the case any seams can be sealed with acrylic kit.

The shape must be solvable. A releasable form is constructed from wide to narrow and has no projections or protrusions. Any locked parts must be filled with foam. If this is done with a different material, the unloading will be prevented due to shrinkage. It is important which material is chosen for the construction of the mold. The materials that work best are plywood, vivak, EPS foam sheet and silicone rubber. When plywood and foam plates are used, the inside of the mold needs to be treated with oil.

• Concrete mixing.

Before the concrete is mixed the volume must be determined. The solid particles can be measured in a bucket or a tub. Then water can be added. The amount of water must in the end be about 1:4. It is advisable to add it into parts while mixing. If the substance changes from solid to liquid, there is just enough water.

• Composition.

Normal concrete consists of: 1 part cement, 2 parts of sand, 3 parts of stones and 1 part water. The concrete that we usually have in stock misses the stones, instead some gravel or fibers have been added.

• Casting.

During the casting of the concrete a large opening is needed. When the mold is filled, shake slightly to get rid of the bubbles. A compact size causes a high temperature. It’s recommended to cover the mould with foil for one day to prevent the concrete from drying out.

• Unloading.

Before it can be unloaded it’s recommended to wait for at least two days. The unloading takes some strength sometimes, depending on the construction of the mold. Try to take this into account in advance so that the cast does not break when unloading.

• Tools.

There are buckets, a trowel and a mixer available on the faculty. Please clean all tools by rinsing with water after using it. Do not pour the water into the sink, the concrete must settle in the bucket first.

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In this case the building process is being imitated by the building process of the model. This is a way of learning about material quality and creating images to show the ambiance at the same time.

World Elephant Centre

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Marta Rota used the model pictures of her graduation project to show the ambiance in the building and how it relates to the landscape. By using photoshop the human scale becomes clear, and the African sunlight is simulated.

Bus stop model


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The roof of the bus stop has been 3d printed in gypsum. The mat surface of the material creates beautiful shadows, emphasizing the shape on the photos. The roof is only 2mm thick in the model, it needed small blocks, added at the bottom of the 3d print, to be glued to the base.

Concrete wall

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Nice example of a graduation project, visualized in actual concrete in combination with wood and steel mesh. Mould is constructed with lasercutted mdf, finished of with vivak. The doors are pieces of foam to enable demoulding.