Foldable Cocoon
Spatial Structures
Realized in 2014 (Brussels)
The aim of this project is to design a Foldable Cocoon for one or two persons. The cocoon aims to offer functional comfort (lightweight and easily transportable, rapidly deployable and foldable, quality space for study), acoustic and thermal comfort for an individual occupation. Also it should be sustainable in the way that it is strong, low cost and durable. It can be deployed anywhere where ones wants to have a calm space to study, work, dream, eat… have some intimacy and privacy. The cocoon had thus to offer enough space for different occupations while creating an intimacy feeling. Therefore minimal necessary dimensions have been used. The inner and outer spaces are free. No intermediate support clutters the interior to offer the maximum space to the occupants and exterior supports are minimized to facilitate the outer circulation The cocoon, deeply inspired by origami architecture, is lightweight and totally foldable and is thus easy to transport and quick to install. Only one primary structure made of struts supports the tensile surface offering a lightweight and handy structure. Attention has been paid to use strong, lightweight and sustainable materials offering the requested comfort. The structure is made from a lightweight plain weave polyester fabric PVC coated, supported by circular carbon tubes.
The main concern of this work was to design and verify the ‘foldability’ of the structure by loading/displacement of the nodes and analysis the structural behaviour in different configurations and loadings. Physical and numerical 3D prototypes were tested to end up with a final design. The cocoon generation and folding was done with Autocad, Rhinoceros and Grasshoper while the structural analysis was performed with Easy.
“I wished to fold the laws of nature, the dignity of life, and the expression of affection into my work.”
Akira Yoshizawa (吉澤章, 1911-2005)
