The project assesses Japanese shou sugi ban and Native American dug-out techniques and as sculptural processes. Rather than charring only the surface of the material, as is done in these methods, this project studies the possibility of burning wood from the inside-out. Through preliminary research, experimentation, and digital modeling, a process was developed of drilling holes through wood logs in patterns that would create and control air pressure currents with minimal oxygen added by blowing. The resulting forms demonstrate the capacity for wood to be subtracted from passively to achieve desired form with simple tools and little force by creating a chimney effect which pulls constant fresh air in and up the form. Studying wood as a construction material is relevant in architecture today as timber construction becomes more prevalent in large cities around the world. Finding innovate ways to utilize reclaimed timber is an opportunity that should be explored to design more sustainable buildings and cities. Burning wood can add value for recycled material that would otherwise be discarded.
Preliminary Experiments
Dug-out bowl
Dug-out bowl
Dug-out bowl
Dug-out bowl
Drill Experiment 1
Drill Experiment 1 Results
Drill Experiment 2
Drill Experiment 2 Results
Modeling
Angles of drill holes required to create a passive heat chimney effect
Taxonomy of designs created in Grasshopper
Predictions of section cuts created in Rhino
Weaverbird/Grasshopper simulation to predict the smoothing process of burning.
Process
Forstner drill bit
Auger and Forstner bits
Surrounding the log with wet leaves to prevent the exterior from burning
Chimney effect beginning to take effect
Rotating the log to control burning in desired areas
Air was blown into the holes to get a flame started. Once the flame was ignited the log could be left alone to burn.
Final Artifacts
