Material Question

sari · Post by **sari** » May 28th, 2009, 12:02 pm

Hello,
I´m an architecture student from Munich, Germany.
This semester we concern ourselves with foldings in every modality.
My group and I decided to concentrate on furniture and other architectural elements.
Now we came to the decision, that the normal paper may be not the right material.
In real we want to make a wall out of this folding, that is ca. 7 x 5 meters.
(Can I upload photos for a better understanding??)
We want to hang it, so that there is a gap between the “wall” (maybe like a cinema curtain) and the ground, so that it is possible to see the light coming from the other side.

Now I hope you can help us, find a better material, because maybe you are more up-to-date with these paper foldings.

It would be nice to hear from you soon.

Post by **TheRealChris** » May 28th, 2009, 12:31 pm

I don't really get your problem.
is the wall modular? I mean is it made from different pieces that are glued together? and what exactly is the problem with your final result?
picures could help us to understand your problem.

sari · Post by **sari** » May 28th, 2009, 2:58 pm

Hello,
the wall is not modular. We want to fold it out of paper or a material we are able to fold.
We want it to stay in this "folding" structure. 'That´s really important to us.
Maybe the pics can help you.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26307600@N05/3573257888/

Thank you

Post by **TheRealChris** » May 28th, 2009, 3:25 pm

your main problem is probably, that the wall stretches when you put it up.
a heavy "Elefantenhaut" or "Aquarellpapier" could do the job if you wetfold it. wetfolding means that you have to make it wet, bring it in shape and let it dry. after drying, the paper stays in shape (and Elefantenhaut or Aquarellpapier is a very good kind of paper for wetfolding). I think it will be a problem to find sheets that are large enough for your project. maybe you have to glue a lot of sheets together to get a really big sheet.

Jonnycakes · Post by **Jonnycakes** » May 28th, 2009, 5:22 pm

As for gluing sheets together, if you tear the edges that are being glued together and paint methylcellulose over them, the seam is almost invisible.

HankSimon · Post by **HankSimon** » May 28th, 2009, 5:29 pm

I agree with Chris, and some additional information may help you.

When you wetfold some types of paper and let them dry, then the paper will be a little more solid.

If you can't find large sheets of "Elefantenhaut" or "Aquarellpapier", then you might try applying methylcellulose (MC) to a porous paper, like construction paper or watercolor paper. The type of paper in the photo may work, also.

You can buy MC from paint stores or from wall paper stores - it is a type of wall paper paste. When you apply it to paper, the paper will dry to be a fairly stiff, stronger structure. You may have to experiment with different types of paper available to you.

- Hank Simon

ahudson · Post by **ahudson** » May 28th, 2009, 6:08 pm

Something else you might be interested in, metal fabrication:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tactom/2783061357/