Melted Matter

10-day Workshop on behalf of DEX - Design Experimentation 2023 INDA - International Program in Design and Architecture
Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand
2023

Workshop Description

Melted Matter is a workshop that investigated the translation of digital two-dimensional found pieces of information into a physical three-dimensional model through the exploration of the states of raw material conditions, in this case, candle wax.

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Objective & Design Methodology

This workshop’s main objective is to challenge the classical processes of design project development and experiment with different states of various materials. To achieve this result, the workshop is concentrated around 4 main steps that gradually builds up on each other.

Step 1: Creating Hybrid Drawings
Students were asked to retrace 1 existing architectural drawing and 1 cartoon character in an effort to bring those two elements of a similar medium into the same language. They were asked to lose specific
architectural elements from the drawings and certain characteristics of the cartoon characters and share their attributes in order to create a new
hybrid drawing. This exercise is for the purpose of examining existing architectural representation techniques whilst conceptually broadening design proficiency through figuration and abstraction concepts.

Step 2: Planning
This step is dedicated to translating a 2D drawing into a 3D digital model. The students will be asked to create a digital massing from the hybrid drawings with which they can best prepare for the upcoming step of the physical model. This process is for comprehending a new design approach that embraces translation and the information that one
may lose or gain during this process of transference from one medium into another.

Step 3: Physical Model Making
During the last phase of the workshop, the students will be asked to produce a physical model of their creations by casting, sculpting, and shaping candle wax for their final products based on the initial hybrid
drawings. The material experimentation step is intended for the students to work with a malleable material and create a massing through an analog approach with the consideration that the final object does not have an absolute shape but rather its form throughout will adapt in a much-accelerated manner than regular architectural modeling materials.

Step 4: Exhibition Performance - Lighting the Candles
The exhibition will comprise of students’ composite wax models/candles accompanied by their initial hybrid drawings(step 1). The candles will be lit and shaped throughout the exhibition’s opening (due to melting). The intention for this performative procedure is for the forms to continue being shaped by their own self and their originality.

This process is vital to the workshop as it will define the animation process of a physical raw model. Additionally, this step will mark the metaphorical significance of the workshop by producing an object that changes every time one operates it, transforms it, translates it and interferes with it during its life cycle.

The self-melting and changing candle models represent a gradually forming object which will bring forth questions on authorship and creative control of a final product as well as the unfinishedness and
raw state of any project. This multitude of being in an incomplete and a complete state at the same time is a way for the students to experience the many facets of materiality and of constant change during
form-finding exercises.

All in all, the workshop aimed to highlight the decision-making in the design process and question the new possibilities in experimental practices by using conceptual reflection techniques, constructing new languages in representation, material explorations, translations within mediums, and multiple techniques within the design process.

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VÄISKI VEMMELSÄÄRI
Poonyapa Arakwatana (Poon) & Prapada Chaitanakankul (Mind) & Orasri Sae-tieo (Anny)

DEAR WINTON
Oranich Supich (Aim) & Chalisa Thawongpia (Titi)

KAUF ME IF YOU CAN
Pakkamon Banlengchit (Wad) & Thanpitcha Tiemtree (Aom)

SILVERMOON

Itthiched Rattanaarphaiphong (Tee) & Chayanuch Thitichayaporn (Mook)

FREE - LACE PLUTO
Trin Asawapornchai (Ger) & Natthaphat Rojkittiskun (Win)

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Students started the design experimentation workshop process by retracing architectural and cartoon characters digitally and as individuals. After the tracing process, they were be asked to hybridize and compose an assemblage of 2 elements that are both drawings but speak different languages; architectural and cartoon.

Then, they formed a 2-person group to merge and further hybridize their ideas digitally and prepare for crafting the physical analog raw model forms. They experimented with various materials and digital mediums and their conditions during the process. Concept of figuration and abstraction, part-to-whole relations, real and fake, representation and materiality, waste objects, and raw materials will be at the core of the workshop throughout each step.

The physical modeling aspect of the workshop was introduced specifically to explore the less-absolute forms and experiment with more raw states of materials, as the students were asked to test model samples with candle wax which is a material that can be melted, cast, and transformed through various procedures, and otherwise, those not have a predefined form.

Each group determined their own candle wax forms and wax mixtures, color studies and sculpting methods which were essential to form finding process experiments with a quasi-fluid material in a controlled manner.

During the cooling process of the wax, the students were able to obstruct an interrupt the processes, making the physical model production an essential part of the experimental design process. The cast making of the candle model was a potential for material exploration and a chance for the students to experiment with fabrication methods in various approaches.

The final outcome were candle models, which were lit during the exhibition. This performance provided a chance to see the projects perform on many different conceptual, metaphorical and material levels. Also provided a reflection on the process of the workshop, and the students were able to stop and restart the burning process at any time to create a new and changed design. The objective was met through the production of physical design models that changes and lives on and eventually expires, which were seen as an ode and symbol of our depleting resources and materials.

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