MIT MEDIA LAB

Spatial Flux

Pneumatics for zero gravity

Pneumatic surface that morphs to the human body in zero gravity.

Spatial Flux is a seamless pneumatic surface that morphs to embrace the human body in zero gravity. Space​ ​is​ ​precious​ ​in​ ​confined​ ​quarters,​ ​not​ ​only​ ​in​ ​outer-space,​ ​but​ ​here​ ​in​ ​our dense​ ​urban​ ​fabric​ ​as​ ​well.​ ​The​ ​creation​ ​of​ ​temporal​ ​architecture,​ ​an​ ​architecture that​ ​coexists​ ​with​ ​the​ ​body​ ​yet​ ​ceases​ ​to​ ​exist​ ​when​ ​the​ ​body​ ​no​ ​longer​ ​requires anything​ ​from​ ​it,​ ​is​ ​fundamental​ ​to​ ​the​ ​design​ ​of​ ​tomorrow's​ ​city.​ ​Zero​ ​gravity ​could​ ​be​ ​a​ ​fundamental​ ​stepping​ ​stone​ ​in​ ​the​ ​way​ ​we​ ​approach​ ​design.​ ​It forces​ ​us​ ​to​ ​critique​ ​architectural​ ​language​ ​itself.​

In collaboration with Carson Smuts and Kent Larson at the MIT Media Lab City Science Group

New spatial constraints

​In​ ​zero​ ​gravity​ ​there​ ​is​ ​no​ ​such thing​ ​as​ ​a​ ​floor,​ ​for​ ​example.​ ​What’s​ ​more,​ ​is​ ​the​ ​architectural​ ​material​ ​we​ ​would normally​ ​employ​ ​to​ ​create​ ​a​ ​“floor”​ ​now​ ​becomes​ ​ambiguous.​ ​A​ ​material​ ​that​ ​was once​ ​“floor​ ​topside”​ ​and​ ​“ceiling​ ​underside”,​ ​no​ ​longer​ ​has​ ​“sides”.​ ​The​ ​material, this​ ​surface,​ ​now​ ​lies​ ​somewhere​ ​in-between.​ ​A​ ​surface​ ​in​ ​flux​ ​with​ ​temporal possibilities.​ ​We deployed a prototype in a Zero Gravity flight, and attempted to understand how surfaces can be reimagined in space.

Pneumatic materiality

We​ ​took this opportunity to​ ​deploy​ ​structures​ ​that​ ​no​ ​longer​ ​have​ ​to counteract/resist​ ​gravitational​ ​force.​ ​We​ ​explored​ ​new​ ​forms​ ​of​ ​rapid inflatable​ ​prototyping to understand the possibilities for surfaces in this type of environment. After numerous iterations, we developed a poured, silicone pneumatic module that had the ability to morph, as well as hold itself up in this environment.

Physical interaction

We took the module and reimagined​ ​these​ ​elements​ ​without​ ​XYZ​ ​reference​ to develop for space. The physical interaction of the surface emerged from this thinking – the surface would be flat until it was activated by a human in space with the intent to sleep. It then morphed around the body to support this condition by inflating, and would deflate to neutral when it was not needed

For more information, please visit the City Science Group Project Page and the MIT Media Lab post on the Zero G Flight.