Devices

cj Lim

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2006
• eBook ISBN: 9781136410321
• Topic: Architecture
• Subtopic: Architecture General

Embedding memories into landscape. Measuring moisture, pressure and wind speed within a bedroom. Drawing power with a potato. These are but a few of the preoccupations described within this book. 'Devices' is a manual celebrating the invention of architectural and spatial machines. Nostalgic, metaphorical, analytical or even the down-right daft, each of the illustrated pieces demonstrates the potential for spatial occupation, leading to new territories in architectural design. A detailed analysis of each device and a 'recipe' for its construction is provided, including working drawings, assembly diagrams, materials and component descriptions. The reader will not only gain an insight into the technical makeup of the devices, but will have all the information at their fingertips to design and construct ground-breaking innovations of their own. With over 40 devices, this book will inspire architects, designers, engineers and artists alike.

Designer:	Chris Leung
Device:	Light Fibre Field
Function:	Four-dimensional space-time and occupant movement mapping devices

Concept:

The objective was to build a system that would explore its environment and build a time-based map of its surroundings.

The project started by developing one ‘lighting emitting mast’ that contained a switching lighting source and a computer controlled mirror to direct a narrow light-beam, together with eight directional light sensors. The system demonstrated self-learning properties in identifying the location of each respective neighbour by horizontal direction, and estimating their distance by altitude and light intensity. The system also demonstrated adaptive properties in coping with changing ambient light levels, changes in the installation space as well as changes in object arrangement. The changes observed in the field’s behaviour with the presence of people amongst the objects were the most intriguing, with evidence of emergent shadow and edge-following behaviours.

Dimensions:	Each Light Emitting Mast 1550 × 200 × 200mm and weighs 14kg. The field with 15 objects is 7500 × 4500mm.
Fabrication time:	6 months; Software development 18 months+
Assembly time:	4 days to install and self-calibrate nine Light Emitting Masts
Materials:	Required for one Light Emitting Mast (all quantities multiplied by 15)

Power
1no 0.1uF mains X-2 suppression caps	RS 115-196
1no PCB F/H with cover 6.3A @ 250V A/C	maplin KU29
1no 18VA triple-out transformer	RS 201-8794
2no In-line 400V 2A rectifier	RS 183-4090
1no T220 voltage Reg MC7812CT	maplin QL32K
1no TO2205 MIC29301 3A LDO/EN	RS 217-4973
1no T220 voltage reg 78S05 2 Amp	maplin UJ54J
3no Electrolytic 220uF cap general	RS 228-6997
2no Electrolytic 2200uF 25V/16V	RS 228-6701
1no Electrolytic 1000uF	RS 228-6818
10no 0.1in 0.1uF ceramic cap 63V	RS 264-4927
1no Heatsink TO220 17.9oC/W	RS 263-251
2no Heatsink T220 35x27x16 9deC/W	RS 234-2407
1no 12V cooling fan 500mA	maplin RG03D
1no TO220 silicone pad and bush	RS 298-443
6no Polyester cap 1uF 63V smoothing	RS 823-998
3no Polyester cap 10uF 63V	RS 179-4368
1no 5V internal resistor LED red	RS 228-5562
Lighting Control
1no 10Kohm vertical potentiometer	RS 160-095
1no 50W tungsten halogen lamp 12deg. 12V UV glass
1no Compact dimmable electronic lighting transformers 60W
1no Velleman K8003 Dimmer Kit	maplin VF58N
1no LTC 1257 CN8 Digital-to-Analog chip	RS 217-0397
1no 50W halogen ceramic lamp holders	maplin VJ11M
2no Nom. 5V 3.5 Kg torque servo-motors	various
1no Nom. 10mm dia. 1 metre cast acrylic rod	various
1no Dentist non-magnifyi...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Halftitle
• Copyright
• Title
• Contents
• Introduction
• A Sound Diary
• An Instrument of Pilgrimage
• Anticipation
• Anticipation Navigator
• Bellow
• Blurred Spaces
• Climatic Threat
• Daycaster
• Drawing Fiction
• Drawing Instrument
• Eavesdropping
• Edge Monkey
• Floating Lanterns
• Floodscape
• Haircutting Machine
• Haptic Gloves
• Hydro-kinetic Hinge Assemblage
• I See What You Hear
• Light Fibre Field
• Light Rings
• Light Volumiser
• Litmus
• Mayflies
• Mealtimes
• Microclimate of a Bedroom
• Motion of Swarm
• Narrative Projector
• Nocturnal Ventilator
• Nostalgia
• Pinhole Camera
• Smoking Stool
• Spud-master 204
• Star Gazer
• Storm Topography
• Talking Feathers
• The Dry Stone Waller
• The Shipping Forecast
• Thorax Cybernation
• Through the Looking Lens
• Transient
• Untitled
• Urban Diviner
• Weekend Coat
• Wet Bog Camera
• …and left to my own devices, I probably would…
• Devices as they appear to a Western Engineer
• Suppliers