PennRose by Han Tang

Team member: Xuedong Wang

pennrose combines the zest of a joyful event space with rigorous research into new material and digital fabrication.

pennrose will immerse the viewer in kaleidoscopic pattern of color created by sunlight filtering through an array of translucent, tinted mylar petals that resemble blossoming flowers of stained glass. the piece functioned as a shade structure. the interior of this experimental installation created a beckoning outdoor room for social interaction and contemplation by changing the space, color and light. during the day as the sun passed overhead, the canopy cast colored fractal light patterns onto the ground while during the night, when standing underneath and gazing upward, the visitor could see the infinite sky.

The result was an installation that functioned as not only architecture and sculpture but as a “made-to-order” product through a unified manufacturing strategy. the aesthetic effect of the top canopy was achieved by manipulating mylar reinforced material and (cnc) cutting machine. this unique folded matrix comprised of 137 different instances of a parametric component or “petal”, each cut and labeled using the cnc system. the tenderness as well as the fragility of the bottom structure was achieved by steel rod and 3d roller bender. every 3d rod can be separated to a series of segments which then could be calculated and then bent by the machine.