Beanbag with adaptable texture
The focus of this assignment was on composites. I explored the combination of cement with other materials to create a malleable texture similar to plasticine. The aim was to develop a mixture that could be shaped by hand, instead of being poured into a mold like traditional concrete.
To achieve this, I experimented with various materials, such as vinegar, baking soda, yeast, shaving cream, oil, glue, and water. I tried different combinations of these materials, often involving chemical reactions, to find the optimal mixture for shaping the composite material by hand.
After experimenting with various combinations of materials, the most promising mixtures were selected for further testing. One important aspect of this testing involved temperature. To assess the suitability of each mixture, parts of them were placed in the freezer, while others were put into the oven.
After all the experiments, we were asked to make a piece of furniture with it.
The one mixture that ended up working with was based out of cement and coconut oil.
The end result is a beanbag stuffed with coconut oil. The use of this material causes the texture to change depending on th temperature, this is what makes it interesting.
A beanbag that in summer is completely liquid and adapts to everyone and everything that sits on it and when it is cold it slowly hardens. When it’s cold, based on the heat of the body temperature, the top layer is going to soften and adapt to the shape of the person sitting in it.
