The prototype shown in the Schindler House is a deflatable latex structure based on the rosette aggregation principle.
prototype of the structure
Through changing the air pressure the deflatable structure can shift phase. When the structure is vacuumed, the skin gets sucked in and the inner axis are rendered visible. When the air streams back, the skin gradually relaxes and reverts to its initial shape. Over the repeating “breathing” cycle the appearance shifts between solid and open, opaque and transparent, from a closed mass to a structure with depth.
prototype in relaxed mode - appears as solid mass
prototype in semi-relaxed mode - creates openings in the mass
prototype in vacuumed mode - appears as spatial structure with depth
The “breathing” could be made sensitive to subtle exterior input as the rhythm of shade and sunlight during a day or the movement of approaching people. The shifting patterns produced by the deflation and unstressing prevent the structure from becoming a fixed shape and refer to the temporality and changeability of aggregation processes.
partial view of the exhibited prototype
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detail in semi-relaxed mode, foto © 2009 by Josh White
detail in vacuumed mode, foto © 2009 by Josh White
Breeze was exhibited by the MAK Center Los Angeles at Rudolph Schindler’s Kings Road House (March 2009). Additional information about the project can be found at Designboom.