Introduction

These pictures show the formation process of a spider web cone. Webparts attached with leaf organs are denser and add weight to the anchorpoints of the web,some anchor points are therefore broken up. Then thebroken parts tend to join together and hence centre the gravity which causefurther broken of other anchor points to the wall and centred more gravity.Time after time, the cone part break from other web parts and turn out tobe a hanging cone.

Sketch Exploration & Tension analysis

Through a series of sketchexploration, I found theinternal pattern of coneformation is interesting,which is, in some way self catalysed.The denser part(attached with leaforgans)tends to add weightto side anchor points, whichcause broken of thoseanchor points, following bythe combination of pairs ofside anchor points, so themiddle part of the webcone formed, one stepfurther, the weight of leaforgans are centred andcause the broken of otheranchor points, this cyclecontinues and rounds afterrounds the cone is formed.

Sketch Exploration & Tension analysis

I started up with 4 sketches of simplified pattern of a web cone formation process. First, the web was a surface with eight curve sides. Then, the eight-side surface turned into a four-side surface which is followed by the connection of the two opposite curve by the middle. The last sketch implies the web cone outcome after rounds and rounds of accumulation.

I tried to connect first two parallel surfaces together to interpret the transform procedure, then made model of that.

Precedents

Figure 1: The perspective of the bridge design something like a spider web.

Figure 2: The new Kings Cross station concourse in London was redesigned especially for the Olympics. It’s an impressive spider web-like design that encompasses the entire ceiling of Kings Cross Station. The lights even change colour.

Figure 3: Southern cross station, Melbourne.

Through these precedents I found the design related to web was much highlighted at the connection among different shapes and bending to form new shapes and define space in 3D, which gave me the idea to connect different web surfaces together by bending curves.

Model Exploration

Inspired by the precedents, I made a model to express the idea of connecting different parts by curve lines as above. Figure 1 shows the top elevation of the model in which the opposite ends were connected with a flat curve surface. Also outlined was the two parallel curves of the middle surface part. As this connection pattern works well. I then modified my previous model to add a cone part on the top and connect the cone and base part by four curve surfaces.

Model Exploration

Left elevation Front elevation Right elevation Top elevation

This final model is inspired from the formation procedure of a spider web cone. From the base which is a 8-side surface to the middle part which is a 4-side surface transforming into a more smooth cone. Connected by curve lines which give a natural way of transition.

Placement

Bibliography

1. Figure 1.The perspective of the bridge design something like a spider web http://zamirhakim92.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/architecture-photography.html#!/2011/11/architecture-photography.html2. Figure 2.The new Kings Cross station concourse in London was redesigned especially for the Olympic Games. It’s an impressive spider web-like design that encompasses the entire ceiling of Kings Cross Station. The lights even change colour. http://www.glampacker.com/tag/architecture/3. Figure 3. Southern cross station,Melbourne. http://andrewwiddis.blogspot.com.au/2008/06/southern-cross-station.html4. spider web water droplets http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2010/February/03021003.asp