The Amplified Kite

The amplified kite was three day workshop which dealt with the parametric design and fabrication of tetrahedral flying structures (i.e. kites).

Having as a reference previously patented designs from researchers such as A. G. Bell, the tutors guided the participants into decomposing a given design problem and developing parametric definition of the kite which was then used to extract information for the digital fabrication of the prototypes. The participants got introduced in parametric design techniques (Rhinoceros/Grasshopper) as well as in feasibility and materialization issues which relate to each manufacturing technique (lasercutting,3d printing).

The participants started from studying the geometrical properties of one of the platonic solids (tetrahedron) , then explored different aggregation alternatives of the basic geometry and finally synthesized complex structural structures using the different instances of the unit (tetrahedron) and the joint system (Universal Joint). The target was to develop their own prototype and assemble a flying structure which they realized using digital fabrication (lasercutting and 3d printing). Different prototypes were tested empirically and evaluated based on the flying performance. Their design parameters were then updated and further improved, and the best working prototype was fabricated by all the participants. The results of the workshop were presented in an exhibition at Wisedog’s exhibition space  in Larissa.

Participants: D.Vaimakis,L. Antoniou, G. Gkiatas, D. Leodaris,

Photography: Anastasios Dedes