P neumatics

STUDIO 703
CONTRIBUTORS ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 4

Leo Spurgin & Chelsea Serrano-Piche COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY - FALL 2008
1 2 3 4 5 6
 Research
1 1.0

1.1 Pneumatics 1.2 Tensairity 1.3 Tensairity Con.

 Pontiac Silverdome

1 1.1 Some commonly used fabrics used in pneumatic membranes

are polyvinyl chloride coated (PVC) polyester fibres,
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon) coated fiber glass, or
silicon coated fiber glass. These membranes are translucent
but by no means transparent. On the other hand, Ethylene
tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE or Tefzel) foils, nowadays commonly
used as air cushions for facades and roofs in architecture, have
a very high transparency.

Pneumatics Air, as a structural element, has many uses both architectural

and otherwise. Pascal’s Law is what makes pneumatic struc-
“Structural Air” tures possible. It states that air is considered the fluid which, Pros of Pneumatic Systems:
when put under pressure in a confined area, will instantly apply
equal pressure at all points of contact. As air is pressurized - Membrane can be translucent, transparent, solid for shading
within pneumatic architecture, the membrane equally expands. purposes, UV resistant, non-flammable
Of or pertaining to air, gases, The two basic types of air supported structures are high profile - Membrane can have acoustic to optimize interior space
or wind. and low profile designs, which refer to the height relative to the - Membranes are foldable, recyclable, temporary, prefabricated,
span. Low profile designs are used to span large distances cost efficient, resistant to extreme temperatures, and fairly
while high profile designs incorporate air in more than just the sturdy.
roof structure. The type of air used in low profile designs is just
that, air. It is moved with fans and air ducts from the outside
and circulated continuously. The same goes for high profile Cons of Pneumatic Systems:
designs although compressors work much harder to bring the
air in and keep the pressure equalized. In low profile pneumatic - Unintentional deflating and cost for this kind of repair is one of
structures, cables are often installed to hold down the the few risks or problems with this sort of structure.
membrane when it is under pressure, rather than support it.
The cables are typically made of steel because of cost, Geometric shapes are preferred for pneumatic roofs. Below are
availability, and life span. A compression ring is needed to hold some common shapes. Cable patterns are visible as well.
down and stabilize these cables in pneumatic systems used
as roofs often spanning sports arenas. Using gases instead of
air would be costly and inefficient. Helium, for example, would
not be ideal for these membranes because their molecules are
smaller than those of common air making slow “leaks”
constant.
1.2 The structural technique of Tensairity was developed by a
Swiss engineer named Mauro Pedretti and is used to create
large-span beams that minimize strut material by using low
pressure air to prevent compression elements from buckling. A
Tensairity beam consists of a cylindrical membrane filled with
pressurized air, a compression element tightly connected to
the air beam, and two cables running in a helical form around
this air beam. Tension and compression are physically sepa-
rated into cables and struts causing the struts to appear as free
Tensairity floating. Under load, the tension in the cables increases. This A test with done with an automobile supported by two identi-
cal parallel tensairity beams each with a diameter of 50cm.
Tension+Air+Integrity force is transferred to the compression element which becomes
prone to buckling. However, due to the firm connection of the This bridge was able to support 3.5 tons of weight without
compression element with the air beam membrane, buckling is buckling. Each beam weighs only 88 pounds whereas a steel
Designer: Mauro Pedretti
prevented. As in the theory of beams on elastic foundation, the beam designed to support a similar load weighs upwards of
Fabricator: Airlight
compression element is stabilized against buckling by the com- 800 pounds. A normal air beam can only be pressurized to 15

pressed air. Therefore, the compression element can be loaded bar whereas a Tensairity beam can be pressurized to 400mbar
to the material yield limit. The major property of Tensairity is (1000 times more pressure) because of its other elements.
that the air pressure is solely given by the external load and
is independent of the span and slenderness of the beam. The
load bearing capacity of Tensairity is, by orders of magnitudes
higher than for the traditional air beam.

Flying Roof - Bellinzona, Switzerland

Above is a net based on helical cables wrapped around an
transparent inflated membrane. Such a net works like a scissor
mechanism. The air pressure squeezes the foil due to the
elasticity into the meshes of the net reducing the curvature of
the foil and thus the tension considerably compared to a
structure without a cable net. For a cylinder, it can adapt forms
between a very thin and long tube to a very short and thick
tube.
 Lanselevillard, France Skier Bridge -Charpente Concept Leamouth Footbridge London, UK

1.3

Tensairity Tensairity beam technology can be incorporated into a design

in other ways other than just straight horizontal beams.
There are various footbridges that have been built or proposed
that take advantage of this Tensairity technology. The Tensairity
Tension+Air+Integrity
Tensairity trusses can be implemented permanently such as element keeps the bridge from buckling in the center which
with the Lanselevillard Skier bridge in France. The bridge allows the bridge to only need structural elements under the
Designer: Mauro Pedretti
connects two small ski resort towns in the mountains of France. ends of the bridge. The cables in these bridges are just to hold
Fabricator: Airlight
In addition to supporting the dead load of the wooden bridge it- the bridge and the Tensairity element together tightly.

self, the Tensairity truss supports the live load of snow and any
skiers crossing the bridge during the main vacation seasons.
Sécheron-Nations Footbridge Geneva, Switzerland

Steel Equivalents Tensairity Shapes

- heavy weight - light weight - lighting

- heavy loads - heavy loads -adaptable
- expensive transport costs - low pressure -temporary
- setup requires many tools - small transport
- permanent volume
- strong - fast setup
 Precedents
1 2.0

2.1 Metrodome 2.2 TTU Practice Field 2.3 Tubaloon 2.4 Airtecture Hall
1 2.1

Hubert H. The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Michigan

uses low profile pneumatic roof and was designed by Skid-
Humphrey more, Owings, & Merril (SOM) The Metrodome’s roof structure
Metrodome is made of curved, double layered, Teflon coated fiberglass
Architect: SOM panels fastened to a skewed net of cables which span the
dome. Weighing about 1.5 pounds per square foot, the roof is
kept inflated by twenty 90-horsepower fans. It requires 250,000
ft³/min (120 m³/s) of air to keep it inflated. To keep the interior
pressurized, every entrance uses revolving doors. The double-
walled construction allows warmed air to circulate beneath
the top of the dome, melting accumulated snow. The Stadium
has a central control room for the single purpose of monitoring
the air pressure and maintaining the roof. Three times in the
stadium’s history, severe weather has caused a collapse or de-
flation of the roof. Severe thunderstorms with extreme varying
pressures have caused the roof to deflate in the past along with
a very rapid accumulation of snow. The Pontiac Silverdome
uses a very similar pneumatic system to support its roof. The
decision to use a pneumatic roof was based on financial figures
taken from the construction of the Silverdome.
1 2.2 The cables on the roof are covered with a protective fabric and
when necessary are held together where they cross with metal
clamps (top left). To drain rainwater off of the roof there are
drains in the small brick wall that hides the compression ring
that the cables are attached to at the base of the roof mem-
brane (top right). There are also larger drains that lead off of
the small brick wall that are hidden by brick turning them into
aesthetic elements (far right).

Texas Tech The Texas Tech practice field uses a very similar structural sys-
Practice Field tem as many larger pneumatic structures. The roof is air
supported and the field itself is below grade making the low
Lubbock, Texas profile pneumatic roof appear to be a high profile pneumatic
structure. Revolving doors are used at grade to enter the
building (right). The larger loading bay doors are sealed off
from the main field so they can be opened for extended periods
without deflating the roof.
1 2.3

The Tubaloon volume using an innovative structural technique called Tensair-

Architect:SNØHETTA AS
Location: Kongsberg, Norway
Typology: Performance Shelter
Client: Kongsberg Jazz Festival
Completed: June 2006
ity. The structure of the Tubaloon was designed by Tensair-
ity’s creator’s son Andrea Pedretti. He and one of SNØHETTA
AS architects, Teas, adapted the traditional Tensairity beam,
but instead of using helical cables he used galvanized-steel
armatures. This method uses Tensairity beams composed of
segments with brackets, which the air tubes nestle into. Instead
of a by-the-book application of Tensairity, Tubaloon represents
“an inflatable, tension-membrane structure in which most of the
supporting structure is internalized,” Teas explains. The frame
mounts to two poured-concrete foundation pads, with four
additional connection points for cables and a compressor that
maintains air pressure.

The “Tubaloon” is a large fabric cochlear shaped band stand

designed for Norway’s Kongsberg Jazz Festival. It is a high
profile pneumatic structure.The program called for a design
that could be erected rapidly and that was tough enough to
be taken down and redeployed elsewhere. The Tubaloon also
posses acoustic qualities inherent in its design that keep small,
quite performances intimate with its clamshell cantilever side
while the PVC coated fabric has almost no effect on amplified
performances. However the horn-like shape on the back of the
Tubaloon amplifies louder performances. The combination of
pneumatics with a tension membrane gives the Tubaloon a
unique shape and appearance because of its internal structure.
The steel skeleton that helps give the Tubaloon its shape is
dependent on both the pneumatics and the membrane for sup-
port similar to the way the skin and tendons of the human body
work to keep the skeleton correctly positioned. The structure of
the Tubaloon consists of cables, rods, and fabric that create a
1 2.4

Airtecture This temporary exhibition hall is one of the first pneumatic

structures with a cubic interior and a structural system primar-
Exhibition Hall ily supported by air inflated elements. The hall consists of
approximately 330 individual air-inflated structural elements
Architect: Festo
such as transparent window cushions made of Hostaflon ET,
40 Y-shaped columns, roof beams with translucent, intermedi-
ate membranes and pneumatic tension elements. A computer
system controls the pressure in these different elements and
actively changes based on dynamic environmental conditions
such as precipitation or strong winds. The structure is consid-
ered to be lightweight and can be moved quite easily because
most of the elements can be folded up when deflated. At each
side of the expedition hall are two L-shaped pieces that come
together to make the entrances. Above each “doorway” are
vents to let air in and out of the hall. Each Y-shaped support
on the exterior is held in place by three cables on each side
ultimately connected to the “foundation” of the system.
 Study Models
1 3.0

3.1 Air Pressure 3.2 Bouncehouses 3.3 Seals 3.4 Seams

 Air Flow
1 3.1
Pneumatic Roof Structures using a large pneumatic roof span require the
Study Model spanned space to be constantly pressurized. Although in some
cases pressure can escape, the pressure loss is not significant
Based on Metrodome and enough to cause deflation even with smaller compressors or
Practice Field fans. For scaled down versions of pneumatic structure, like our
study models, a regular air mattress pump provides plenty of
air pressure. This pump is used in the same way as a larger
version in the way it provides a constant stream of pressure.
Above is a study model of a pneumatic roof span. The
membrane is relatively thin clear vinyl cut to the shape of the
base. The base is a geometric shape as suggested in our
research. String was used in place of the cables that would
normally span the roof in order to hold the membrane down
and keep it from breaking free from the compression ring. In
this model duct tape along the bottom of the base acts as the
compression ring.
In order to push and keep air inside the structure, a hole was
left in one of the corners of the membrane. This hole was made
to seal around the air pump. We discovered that the air pump
put out so much pressure that as long as the air flow was
pointed at the hole, no seal was required unless the roof was
loaded. The combination of the duct tape (compression ring)
and the string (steel cables) kept the membrane sealed against
the base allowing the model to hold pressure.
Weight tests were undertaken to see how much live load the
roof could hold. These tests are representative of the live loads
of snow and ice that can cause a collapse in pneumatic roof
structures. Various loads were added and were all held up by
the roof. If scaled these loads would be more than what would
ever be put on a real roof span. This model served its pur-
pose in that it educated us on the potential of air pressure and
showed us that air tight seals are not completely necessary.
1 3.2

Seam Research We began to look at how air tight seals were made on high
profile structures that did not involve compression rings or
Bouncehouses cables. On the Texas Tech University campus there were mul-
tiple inflatable bounce houses setup for an advertising event. Visible seam
These structures showed us an example of how seals could
be made between various pieces of membrane. There are two
kinds of seals: inverted seals and visible exterior seals. Both
of these seals are done by stitching the edges together. The
inverted seals are stitched then turned inside out in order to
hide the edges of membrane. The visible seals are usually on
the bottom to make them more out of sight giving the structure
as a whole a more seamless look. The fan used to inflate these
structures seems relatively small compared to the size of the
structures. Also we noticed that the seals are not completely
airtight in every instance. There is a small amount of air that is
always escaping from somewhere but it is a negligible amount Inverted seam
and does not cause the structure to deflate.
1 3.3
Air Tight Seam Our initial attempt at sealing membrane together was done us-
Studies ing heat. Using heat to melt the edges together seemed like the
most effective way to get a completely air tight seal. To melt the
Heat vinyl membrane a hair straightener was used on medium heat.
Inverted
Seam
Visible
Seam
This process involves heating up the two pieces of vinyl
enough for the two edges to bind together. The best method to
do this was to apply the heat for just one or two seconds. If the
heat is left on the vinyl for much longer the plastic would melt
and become so thin that it would lose its strength. If the heat
is applied long enough holes and tears will begin to form and
eventually the plastic will disintegrate.
To inflate these heat sealed elements a small hole was left
along one edge and a straw was placed inside this hole. We
then inflated these objects by mouth to test the heated seams.
Most of the seams held but in some places we were able to
burst the seams with just the pressure created by our lungs.
Because of the failure of the pure heat seams we realized that
a stronger seam was necessary.
Above are comparisons of our seal study to the seams on the
bouncehouses. The inverted seams (top) are stitched and then
inverted so they are inside the inflatable element. We mirrored
this on the top edges of this seal study. Visible seams (bottom)
are the seams that close the element so they must be on the
outside. We mirrored visible seams on the bottom edges of our
seal study. These visible edges were the last seals done.
1 3.3
Seam Test We began testing seams with thicker clear vinyl and thread.
The pure heat seams were not strong enough to withstand
Clear Vinyl+Thread more pressure than we could generate with our lungs. With a
sewing needle and thread we began making a larger version
of our heat seal study but with stitching instead of heat. This
larger study model was constructed with six pieces of vinyl cut
and stitched together to form a rectangular shape.
Two lines of stitching were used because two lines create an
area of the vinyl that is held together tightly creating an airtight
seal. Two lines of stitching are also stronger than a single line
of stitching. The seam above is an inverted seam along one of
the top edges of the study model. We decided to add heat to
these seams as well as an extra sealing method. The stitching
holds the pieces together and creates an almost airtight seam
while the heat makes the seams completely airtight.
To inflate this study model we used the air mattress pump from
our earlier study model. In order to feed the air into the study
model, we made a tube out of the clear vinyl and attached it to
the study model in one of the corners. To seal the tube to the
study model we cut the end of the tube into flaps and stitched
these flaps onto the inside of the study model and then added
heat as an extra sealing measure.
The finished study model has inverted seams along the top and
sides and visible seams on the bottom edges. Once inflated
the straight edges become rounded and the transition between
the vinyl pieces becomes smoother. In two of the corners we
left small gaps between the pieces of vinyl to release air so
the seams would not be pulled apart by air pressure. This test
showed us the strength of stitched seams and reinforced the
idea that small holes to release air would not cause deflation.
 Materials
1 4.0

4.1 Bowers Project 4.2 Materials 4.3 Method

 Once we knew how to seal a membrane together to make
an inflatable shape we began research on materials to make
a membrane. We began to look for some kind of fiberglass
sheet to stay true to the membranes used in many built
pneumatic structures. We looked back at our research and
began a search for a few of the coatings used to make these
membranes. In searching for a place to purchase liquid
polyvinyl chloride, which is often used to coat fiberglass panels
to form a pneumatic membrane such as the roof of the
1 4.1 Metrodome, we discovered an industrial supply company in
Lubbock, TX that gave us an idea for a membrane from a
previous project of theirs. Bower’s Plastics Distributors is a
family owned company that supplies industrial materials most
of which are plastic or rubber based. We described to them
what we were attempting and they suggested that we use
silicone instead of polyvinyl chloride to make a membrane.
This suggestion was based on a custom air duct they made
for an airplane in 1979. The problem they faced was in design-
Bower’s Project ing an induction system for a fuel injected Lycoming, which is
Material Research an engine used in small airplanes. The problem arose from
the sharp 180 degree turn that the 4” air hose had to make in
order to clear the firewall next to it and supply air to the engine.
The normal aeroduct hose they would have used could not
make the sharp turn and then the curve needed to keep it from
vibrating against the firewall which would cause the duct to fail.
To solve this problem a custom air duct was created by
Layering fiberglass cloth coated in silicone in the shape they
needed. Starting with a mold that had the curves necessary
for the space, they cut strips of coarsely weaved fiberglass
cloth, coated the strips in silicone, and then covered the mold
in about six layers these strips. Once dry this duct was sturdy
enough to hold its shape but still flexible. In order to paint on
the thick silicone with a brush it had to be diluted down to a
liquid form. This also helped the fiberglass cloth to absorb the
silicone into the fibers. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) is the chemical
used to dilute the silicon down to the point where it can be ap-
plied onto the fiberglass cloth with a paintbrush. It is a very fast
evaporating chemical so once it is spread out on the fiberglass
cloth the silicon becomes semi-cured very quickly. We were
warned to only use this fast evaporating chemical in a well
ventilated area or outside. It is a very strong plastic and rubber
solvent and melts anything plastic. THF is very flammable, can
cause rashes on the skin, poisons the body if ingested, and can
damage the eyes. A single layer of fiberglass cloth coated in
this way is almost just as flexible as the cloth by itself and we
realized that this flexibility would make a perfect membrane for
an inflatable structure because it is strong, stays true to pneu-
matic structures and does not allow air through it. All of the ma-
terials used for this project and in our tests can be purchased
from Bowers Plastics who can be reached at (806) 763 5925.
1 4.2
Materials Following the suggestions from Bowers, we purchased a
square yard of coarse weave fiberglass cloth to make a
Membrane Materials membrane similar to a built pneumatic structure. This sample
is of fiberglass cloth made of twisted glass strands interwoven
with a simple tabby (criss-cross) weave. The weave is very
coarse and the threads separate easily if not held together.
Some of those separations can be seen in the photo above.
Polyethylene was another plastic like material we looked into
for its potential as a membrane. The polyethylene sheets
Bowers supplies are for greenhouses to control condensation.
They have a waterlock on one side so that the material is only
water permeable in one direction. This membrane allows air
and light through but only will allow water through in excess
amounts. We decided it would be too difficult to seal this mate-
rial for an inflatable element but perhaps can have other uses.
The silicone we purchased to test out a single layer of silicone
coated fiberglass cloth is 100% pure silicone rubber purchased
in a tube. Silicon out of these tubes is too thick to easily
spread around and would not be absorbed by the fiberglass so
mixing it with the Tetrahydrafuron is necessary. Because THF
evaporates at such a rapid rate, the mixture must be continu-
ously stirred and monitored for consistency.
Because THF is a plastic and rubber solvent simple rubber
and latex gloves cannot protect the skin because the chemical
burns right through them. The only gloves that can resist the
effects of THF are Nitrile gloves. Nitrile is an organic compound
that enabled scientists, beginning in the 17th century, to
prepare and work with very toxic and volatile chemicals such as
pure acids.
1 4.3
Method To begin our test of silicon coated fiberglass we had to obtain
a metal mixing container. The metal container cannot have
Material Test a plastic coating on the inside or the mixture will melt off that
coating and dirty the rubber gel. The Tetrahydrafuron should be
added before the silicon to achieve the right consistency. Once
the silicon is added, continuously stir and add in more silicon
as needed. The consistency of the mixture should be similar to
that of latex paint.
Once the mixture is made a cheap, disposable paintbrush
can be used to paint on the silicone gel. The material must be
suspended in the air because any attempt to coat the fiberglass
cloth while it is laying flat on a surface will cause the silicone to
go right through the cloth and stick to the surface. This causes
holes to form between the fibers when the cloth is pulled off of
the surface.
On a two to three inch wide strip of fiberglass cloth we tested
different consistencies, colors of silicone, thicknesses of
application, drying times, and double sided coating combina-
tions. We were right in our initial assumption that a mixture
with the consistency of latex paint would be necessary to get
a smooth coat of this silicone gel mixture. The clear silicone
seemed to brush on much smoother than the white possibly be-
cause of the white pigment.
After allowing the test strip to dry over night we came to
multiple conclusions. We realized the best combination for
aesthetic and practical reasons was one side white and the
other side clear. In coating both sides of the cloth we formed a
non-permeable membrane with surprising tensile strength as
seen on the far right of this page. Our only concern that arose
from this test is the weight of the membrane.
 Pneumatic
Assemblage
Design
1 5.0

5.1 Concept 5.2 Design 5.3 Calculation

 Inflatable Elements - Section Inspired by the Tubaloon and its potential for providing
temporary cover from the elements, we began sketching out a
concept for a similar assemblage. Our concept was to create
a large inflatable canopy-like structure that appears to only be
held up by two cables. The idea is that there are two U-shaped
inflatable elements one opaque and one clear to let light in.
This assemblage will use three different membranes to block
and let in light in certain areas. Our structure if scaled up would
seem to be a monumental protrusion towards the sky that
1 5.1 provides protection for the elements. The air mattress pump
will provide the air pressure to keep the opaque element rigid
Elevation enough to be held up by the two tension cables. There will be
air tubes that run to each of the inflatable elements to keep
them inflated with a continuous flow of air pressure. There will
be a space between the feet of the inflatable elements that will
be large enough for people to walk through and experience the
space more completely.

Concept
Sketches

Perspective

Front Section
 Foot

1 5.2 As we began to refine our concept into a design the shape of

the assemblage changed slightly. Once the structure is inflated
it will become rigid and the cables, represented by the black
lines, will be in tension holding the structure up off the ground.
The two “feet” of the structure will be anchored to the ground
as well but these anchors will be hidden making it seem like the
structure is being held up only by two cables indicated by black
lines in the sketch to the left. The red element in the sketch
is the silicone coated fiberglass inflatable element. The blue
Design shapes will be clear vinyl to let light underneath the canopy.
Drawings The green hatched area will be the one way permeable poly-
ethylene membrane to let light and air through but keep make
rain drain off instead of passing through. The orange lines
represent the air tubes that will supply air to the inflatable ele-
ments.
 Before cutting out the membrane we attempted to calculate ex-
actly how wide the pieces of membrane needed to shrink to the
correct width in plan view when inflated. We used simple ge-
ometry to figure out the circumference of the two pieces if they
were inflated to a round shape. These measurements ended
up only being partially correct because of how the elements
acted when they were inflated. They ended up taking a more
oval shape than a round one. The structure if scaled up would
be 63’ by 42’ if laid down flat. The highest point of the canopy
1 5.3 structure would be around 25’ but could be changed by chang-
ing the length of the cables. The silicon-fiberglass element
would be 7’ in diameter while the clear vinyl elements would be
5’ in diameter. The opening between the feet would be 18’ feet
wide. The scale that the assemblage will be built at is one 1” =
2.625’. We also figured out how far up the opening between the
feet needed to start for different clearance heights and decided
to make the opening 10’ high.

Calculations
Inflatable Elements
 Assemblage
Construction
1 6.0

6.1 Main Membrane 6.2 Components 6.3 Build 6.4 Assemblage

 To make our primary membrane we repeated our silicon
fiberglass test on a larger scale. We coated a 3’ by 3’ sheet of
fiberglass cloth with white on one side and then clear on the
other. Before the coats were even dry the membrane would
catch the wind like a sail showing us that it was airtight. (bottom
left) To cut out the correct shape we printed out the shape at
the correct scale, cut it out, and pinned it to the membrane we
had made. (below) We then proceeded to cut two of the shapes
out of the membrane. From our study models we knew that two
1 6.1 shapes stitched together would give us more of the form we
wanted than one larger shape with a single stitched edged. To
stitch the two pieces of membrane together we used a sew-
ing machine to get a tight zig-zag stitch. The sewing machine
allows us to work much more quickly than we could have if we
stitched the membrane by hand. Also it provided a stronger,
more reliable seam. We left small 3/4” wide gaps in the seam to
give us a place to pump air into the element.

Main Membrane
Silicone + Fiberglass
 In order to make the clear vinyl elements, we used the same
method as with the primary membrane. We used a sewing ma-
chine once again to stitch these elements. The sewing machine
seams on the vinyl are air tight but have some skipping in them
because the vinyl often would stick between the two metal
pieces of the sewing machine. These stutters in the stitching do
not affect the strength of the stitch however.

1 6.2

Components In order to supply air to all of the components we needed to

split the air flow coming from the pump into 4 separate tubes.
Vinyl+Poly+Etc We used 1/4” diameter clear tubing and siliconed 4 lengths
of tubing into the detachable air mattress nozzle. We used
wooden dowel rods to keep the tubes in place while the silicone
dried. Once dry the silicone dried there was an airtight seal
between the 4 tubes and around them successfully splitting the
nozzle into 4 different air feeds. (above right)

In order to anchor the assemblage to its 1/2” MDF base, three

different connections were required. Using eye hooks (above
left) we connected the 1/16” cable to the base. We also used
the eye hooks to anchor the feet to the base tightly. (above
right) The extra fabric around the edge of the seam helped to
hide these anchors as well as attach them. Then using two
pieces of our membrane we made a sheath to connect the
cable to the assemblage itself. (below)
 To put the components together, the extra 1/2” of fabric that
was around every seam we made was stitched together.
The U-shaped clear vinyl elements were hand stitched to the
primary membrane because it was difficult to make the turn
we needed when using the sewing machine. The smaller clear
vinyl elements were stitched onto the primary element using
the sewing machine however. The stitch used to connect all of
these pieces is simply a single line of stiching. The tubing that
feeds the U-shaped clear element was stitched on the under-
1 6.3 side of the assemblage along the stitch that connects the ele-
ments in order to hide it from view. (below left) We realized at
this point that the air mattress pump we had, that was powered
by batteries, could not supply enough pressure to inflate all of
the elements. So we borrowed an air mattress pump that plugs
into the wall (bottom right) which is much more powerful and
used it to inflate the primary membrane while the clear vinyl
elements were filled by the battery powered pump.

Build
Stitching components
Together

We then proceeded to screw the eye hooks with the cables

attached to them into the MDF base at the back corners. At this
point we also attached the cable sheaths to the assemblage
and then pulled the cables through to the correct lengths and
finished both of the cable to assemblage connections.
 Rear perspective Cable connection detail

1 6.4

Side view Underside detail - stitched in tubing

Assemblage
Freestanding

Front view Underside detail - membrane stitching