PEYTON STEURER

KINETIC HOMEOSTASIS

FALL 2022-SPRING 2023/ Graduate Studies Project Arch 7601

Kinetic Homeostasis is an experiment. It is both a reaction and a proposed solution to the underuse of public space. Kinetic Homeostasis promotes interaction and piques curiosity. The intersection between intrigue, form finding, and technique, it dares passers-by to stop and question what it is and how it works. The name Kinetic Homeostasis stems from the apparatus as well as the idea that conceived it; the result of a proposal for an interactive collection of movable furniture where each piece always finds its way back into balance. It is both a process and a product, meaning it is always evolving with time and technology but also exists as a solid object in the present.

Kinetic Homeostasis encourages interaction with the environment as well as with each other. Pieces in the collection are designed with thought towards the individuality of each human body - instead of asking the body to conform to a predesigned shape, the furniture molds itself to the body. Materials are selected for strength to allow a wide variety of body shapes and sizes. Because of the heaviness of each piece, users are encouraged to work together to interlock or pull apart the furniture as desired. When locked together, the pieces are unmoving. When standing alone, each one has the ability to rock given a push but will always settle back onto the point of balance.

As the design evolves, questions remain. Further research is necessary to determine the possibility and potential cost of mass-production as well as physical comfort and limitations of the objects themselves.

Drawings were digitally produced in Rhino, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Digital model was produced in Rhino.

Physical model made of plywood, galvanized steel rods, nuts + washers, static climbing rope, metal grommets, and duck canvas. New seat prototype is made of 550 paracord. Model fabrication included use of jigsaw to manually cut all pieces, use of handheld belt sander and palm sander on wood pieces, sawing rods to correct size, design and fabrication of canvas on sewing machine, fabrication of paracord mesh by hand.