The purpose of the installation piece is to create an interactive wall that uses light and mechanics to pulse back and forth providing a visual aesthetic that gives people a different perspective on the way the materials are used. The piece was created with the idea of having a wall that at first sight doesn't appear to have any function, but with the use of Arduino motors and motion sensors the wall will begin to pulse both in and out to give an unexpected projection of light in a dark setting. We considered the function of the wall to represent a living breathing organism that could be installed within the walls of a building to give an element of surprise where people least expect it. The lights behind the wall shine through the small spaces the the plywood to amplify the pulsing effect. 

The wall was made with the use of the CNC router as it cuts grid pattern just 5mm into the 8mm sheet of Birch plywood, leaving two sheets in opposite directions of lamination and is then turned over and the same is done on the other side, which weakens the wood enough to bend both ways, making the wood floppy while maintaining enough strength that it doesn’t crack the grain.

The motion sensor installed will activate the stepper motor behind the wall which lets the wall pulse, as this will give people a sense of connection with the wall as their presence activates the pulsating, living organism type effect our idea began as.

Project by Patrick Foss, Henry Gould, Xavier Strom.