Making Skinform

Sketched below is a proposed construction logic for the skinform prototype.  

Rather than looking to inflate a semi-airtight structure made of sewn limbs or trusses as we were experimenting with today, we could think of the primary structure as being more like a network or branching of structural membranes filled with air or helium filled cells (balloons).  

This way the primary structure can be designed, documented and fabricated as a skin (think of socks or hosiery) 'inflated' by inserting air/helium filled balloons.  These balloons would give form to the membrane and be much stronger than independent or braced trusses.  

Secondly, the internal membrane could then be designed as an airtight or mostly airtight skin, fixed to the underside of the primary structure and restrained by a series of actively controlled elastic muscles.  These elastic muscles would restrain or release the pressure on the air-filled internal skin, allowing the wall/ceiling of the space to engage with those inside.  

The third part to this is the external skin treatment, which I have guessed at being a choice between some kind of hair/pixel based pore system.  The design of this is currently being handled by the interaction, concept and augmentation teams.

Just as a final thought on the form, the sketch attached is sectional, and not conceived as being the 'typical' section, rather taken at points where the structure touches the ground plane.  Please document your ideas or thoughts on the shape/form and upload them to the blog or bring them to class on Tuesday.