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Hoursteel

Year

2020


Location

Ann Arbor, MI, USA


Instructor

Cathlyn Newell Mark Meier


Status

Built


Material

24G mild steel


Affiliation

Taubman College University of Michigan


Course

ARCH 700 Practicum


Designer

Ruxin Xie


Tool Box

Rhino, Grasshopper, CircuitPython Programming WaterJet, Circuit Playground Bluefruit


Cover

© Ruxin Xie

Hourstell is an exciting exploration into waterjet cutting and the properties of soft gauge metal. This project focuses on studying various materials, including their color, bendability, and fabrication efficiency. Through this research, I developed a unique workflow that integrates machine cutting with hand crafting. Starting with an array of metal strips, I manually twisted them into intricate patterns, carefully constrained by geometry to ensure a cohesive form that aligns with my initial design vision. To enhance the project, I added in playful lighting elements, creating an engaging interplay of light and material that brings the installation to life.

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© Ruxin Xie

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© Ruxin Xie