Orbital Debris

Year: 2018
Media: Digital graphics
Skills: 3D modelling, visual coding, rendering, graphic design

This project uses image-based data to generate geometric components arrayed on the facade of a digitally modelled habitat. The resulting geometry evokes the idea of an asteroid belt or a field of space debris. I completed this work in Dynamo, a visual coding plug-in for the industry-standard building modelling program, Revit.

Image-based Data

The data comes from a 360-degree panorama image of a Martian landscape. The seamless image wraps around to form a cylinder. I mapped a hexagonal grid onto this cylinder and read the average brightness, red, green, and blue colour values around each point.

Component variations

A - Brightness values control the radius of the outer hexagon

B - Red colour values control the diameter of the interior hexagon

C - Green colour values modify the outer extrusion depth

D - Blue colour values modify the depth of the interior hexagon

Mapping to wall surface

The hex components are embedded in the upper ring wall of the house, in locations corresponding to the image data.

Assembly

A - Each hexagonal component is 3D printed in white polycarbonate as two separate pieces

B - Translucent polycarbonate substrate is perforated with laser-cut holes

C - Hexagonal components are bonded on their inner faces with acetone through solvent welding