A parametric artwork derives its form from bending stress. Flexible aircraft plywood "ripples" are bent and held in place by rigid "rays", radiating from a central point.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/7b609fe82e516d58247ce0f1200a6684/b42107cd-1aef-4fe8-8937-0fa491ac71d8_rw_1920.jpg?h=2c23b0ae36f040117ac5557e770aad64)
Below, a few initial studies explore the creation of stable shapes from flexible wooden strips.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/7b609fe82e516d58247ce0f1200a6684/63eacb36-e8b5-4496-98ca-99dc2006a043_rw_1920.jpg?h=2d7b2ea329c095a8c3129cc422614e8f)
Embracing the structural concept and asymmetry, additional ripples and rays are introduced to the artwork via parametric model.
![Define center, rays, and ripples.](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/7b609fe82e516d58247ce0f1200a6684/d001f646-5ac4-451f-adba-a5db8e62590b_rw_1920.jpg?h=4ca826fb4f45544e824bfd8fcc853cd5)
Define center, rays, and ripples.
![Trim ripples via rays.](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/7b609fe82e516d58247ce0f1200a6684/8e93e909-e6e0-4eeb-bbed-35ce880e3711_rw_1920.jpg?h=f985843b0a29452769b6f7b853404449)
Trim ripples via rays.
![Remove ripple segments.](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/7b609fe82e516d58247ce0f1200a6684/bf561552-8320-44b0-b81d-a471c4448174_rw_1920.jpg?h=0676aa1c82c400be46638cf7a5952334)
Remove ripple segments.
Several prototypes explored fabrication and connection methods, from threaded dowels to laser cut notches. Ultimately, laser cut notches provided the fixity, precision, and ease of assembly required.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/7b609fe82e516d58247ce0f1200a6684/80e6d303-f371-49a4-a238-90562f021552_rw_1920.jpg?h=e8328414c1971225d776ca4a912d7435)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/7b609fe82e516d58247ce0f1200a6684/f9cef33b-ae2c-4701-8e63-f89b1ee24a26_rw_3840.jpg?h=e3cfe2b8db819b605c8d29cb0e7f3269)
With a method of fabrication established, the ripples were entered into an optimization solver to reduce the following occurrences:
1. Ripples longer than the available material (red below).
2. Single segment ripples (yellow below).
3. Large concentrations of ripple gaps.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/7b609fe82e516d58247ce0f1200a6684/be817ff9-7fb3-4a54-9121-41ac59179170_rw_1200.gif?h=eb25c6731bbabffa1f49c95ede138c21)
The wood rays and ripples were digitally unrolled for lasercutting. Engraved labels were added to ease assembly.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/7b609fe82e516d58247ce0f1200a6684/dacb82ae-85bc-44bc-bcc4-00b0e4ab728f_rw_1920.jpg?h=22a59159584a37c16dd2dbecc6c19413)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/7b609fe82e516d58247ce0f1200a6684/58a0e019-d256-47cc-89a4-dbd6b26b7bf7_rw_1920.jpg?h=f3531c986a55f323ff88fb653bd28eb5)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/7b609fe82e516d58247ce0f1200a6684/e86a8edb-ff5b-4e47-ba84-6a7a82bd2fa6_rw_1920.jpg?h=386aa1784e78df5868f32a7b6d13f26f)
The artwork is quickly assembled from 24 rays and 190 ripples, notching together without any glue.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/7b609fe82e516d58247ce0f1200a6684/18dca946-591a-4b0b-8312-d8f268d26e80_rw_1200.jpg?h=9ea471871c28133caf73f4ae54063a45)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/7b609fe82e516d58247ce0f1200a6684/543a499b-d09b-47ba-a0a8-027b429ccc13_rw_1200.jpg?h=30c0e75608e9c7c3cf3c5ca295d32865)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/7b609fe82e516d58247ce0f1200a6684/565952f3-0c65-4bb5-83a5-c22818655d75_rw_1920.jpg?h=a5915a6d82ad31b71cb98385a85eb4cc)
The resulting artwork ripples with arcs of light and shadow, weighing less than 10 lbs and stretching over 4 ft in diameter.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/7b609fe82e516d58247ce0f1200a6684/9375def1-e4cc-44e0-82a8-0e42f62bb5d5_rw_1920.jpg?h=da7bb33ce97c5b996613e60fd1e06f12)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/7b609fe82e516d58247ce0f1200a6684/9382bcf2-d98f-4264-872e-0fc175846c4c_rw_1920.jpg?h=2d779fc32d05f801b20ea42cf9dd0d33)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/7b609fe82e516d58247ce0f1200a6684/91644d2b-0997-4733-9037-c774732f264d_rw_1920.jpg?h=ed135b2579c911835ab032c4f27180ab)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/7b609fe82e516d58247ce0f1200a6684/897d8a2a-9087-4e3e-beb9-fd91d35477dc_rw_1920.jpg?h=104bfa46550d5364f910625e862f4433)