MONOLITHIC D E C A Y
a bottom-up design investigation into materiality
The material investigation of a concrete-like material 'rockite' was implemented to draw connection between the design studio and actual building materials used in contemporary practice. This research began with a personal curiosity about concretes ability to feel massive and heavy while disparately portraying characteristics of the delicate or fragile. This series of iterations explores that specific relationship in an attempt to find a balance between the impermeable and the delicate.
A spectrum analysis reveals the desired characteristics, which are studied, understood and controlled to bring the final character of the piece to full realization. Monolithic Decay was realized as a series of 12 - 6 x 18in. stones aggregated to form a single 6 x 2' panel.
A spectrum analysis investigates the broad range of possibilities that a pouring type of material has to investigate. What became particularly interesting was an serendipidous accident. Seen bottom right, a small chunk of paper form-work was accidentally trapped inside the rockite before it was poured. Upon curing and tough removal of the paper an intricate or delicate texture was revealed inside of a MONOLITHIC and heavy form.
After the discovery of the desired effect, this effect was then studied for all of its potential. At what point does something MONOLITHIC become not a MONOLITH? How far can rockite be pushed before it simply does not have the mass to hold the desired shape? These notions were explored and finally the desired effect was chosen to be highlighted as the goal of the final instalation.
