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Hydrofloor
Hydrofloor
01.20.2025
01.20.2025
Hydrofloor
Hydrofloor
Hydrofloor
When we are in water, most of us will find that our fingers and toes develop wrinkles. Studies show that this change is a functional one, where the wrinkles improve grip in water by increasing surface area through creating ridges on the surface of the skin, therefore increasing the friction between our skin and the surface of the object. Mimicking this phenomenon, I designed a holistic water-sensitive floor system to mitigate slipping using a naturally hygroscopic material: wood. When the floor system is wet, it reacts by extending rectangular ridges to increase grip and changes color for water detection. When the floor is dry again, it returns to its original state and lays flat. Two main components make up the floor system design: color signal and friction. The colour signal was created by using hydrochromic paint on the surface of the tile to alerts the user of potential slipping. Wood expansion joints were utilized to create dynamic friction points on the floor that maximize friction.
When we are in water, most of us will find that our fingers and toes develop wrinkles. Studies show that this change is a functional one, where the wrinkles improve grip in water by increasing surface area through creating ridges on the surface of the skin, therefore increasing the friction between our skin and the surface of the object. Mimicking this phenomenon, I designed a holistic water-sensitive floor system to mitigate slipping using a naturally hygroscopic material: wood. When the floor system is wet, it reacts by extending rectangular ridges to increase grip and changes color for water detection. When the floor is dry again, it returns to its original state and lays flat. Two main components make up the floor system design: color signal and friction. The colour signal was created by using hydrochromic paint on the surface of the tile to alerts the user of potential slipping. Wood expansion joints were utilized to create dynamic friction points on the floor that maximize friction.
When we are in water, most of us will find that our fingers and toes develop wrinkles. Studies show that this change is a functional one, where the wrinkles improve grip in water by increasing surface area through creating ridges on the surface of the skin, therefore increasing the friction between our skin and the surface of the object. Mimicking this phenomenon, I designed a holistic water-sensitive floor system to mitigate slipping using a naturally hygroscopic material: wood. When the floor system is wet, it reacts by extending rectangular ridges to increase grip and changes color for water detection. When the floor is dry again, it returns to its original state and lays flat. Two main components make up the floor system design: color signal and friction. The colour signal was created by using hydrochromic paint on the surface of the tile to alerts the user of potential slipping. Wood expansion joints were utilized to create dynamic friction points on the floor that maximize friction.
Invision Studio
Partnership :
Process: The developed system uses a parametric density gradient of friction points on the floor, which in turn allows for varying degrees of grip in different wet environments. Various friction-controlling parameters can be altered in the design, such as ridge height, ridge width, and ridge spacing. Varying these parameters creates varying friction levels, allowing the design to accommodate different needs within the environment, such as higher friction in wetter zones and lower in entries to wet zones.
Process: The developed system uses a parametric density gradient of friction points on the floor, which in turn allows for varying degrees of grip in different wet environments. Various friction-controlling parameters can be altered in the design, such as ridge height, ridge width, and ridge spacing. Varying these parameters creates varying friction levels, allowing the design to accommodate different needs within the environment, such as higher friction in wetter zones and lower in entries to wet zones.
Process: The developed system uses a parametric density gradient of friction points on the floor, which in turn allows for varying degrees of grip in different wet environments. Various friction-controlling parameters can be altered in the design, such as ridge height, ridge width, and ridge spacing. Varying these parameters creates varying friction levels, allowing the design to accommodate different needs within the environment, such as higher friction in wetter zones and lower in entries to wet zones.
Outlook: While the prototype proves the concept of the floor system, further optimizations can improve the design’s efficiency and effectiveness. For instance, the response time of the wood joints could be reduced through slit cuts that allow it to absorb water faster and, with it, quicken the expansion. Additionally, these slit cuts could be in patterns, like the kirigami patterns, that augment the amplitude of the wood’s expansion (Fig.66). Other materials that possess hydrophilic expanding behaviors could also be considered and tested for response time and rate of expansion in substitution for wood. While further research and design is required to fully develop a floor system that will holistically integrate with standard architectural floor structures, potential applications include interior and exterior use, providing anti-slip floors for all.
Outlook: While the prototype proves the concept of the floor system, further optimizations can improve the design’s efficiency and effectiveness. For instance, the response time of the wood joints could be reduced through slit cuts that allow it to absorb water faster and, with it, quicken the expansion. Additionally, these slit cuts could be in patterns, like the kirigami patterns, that augment the amplitude of the wood’s expansion (Fig.66). Other materials that possess hydrophilic expanding behaviors could also be considered and tested for response time and rate of expansion in substitution for wood. While further research and design is required to fully develop a floor system that will holistically integrate with standard architectural floor structures, potential applications include interior and exterior use, providing anti-slip floors for all.
Outlook: While the prototype proves the concept of the floor system, further optimizations can improve the design’s efficiency and effectiveness. For instance, the response time of the wood joints could be reduced through slit cuts that allow it to absorb water faster and, with it, quicken the expansion. Additionally, these slit cuts could be in patterns, like the kirigami patterns, that augment the amplitude of the wood’s expansion (Fig.66). Other materials that possess hydrophilic expanding behaviors could also be considered and tested for response time and rate of expansion in substitution for wood. While further research and design is required to fully develop a floor system that will holistically integrate with standard architectural floor structures, potential applications include interior and exterior use, providing anti-slip floors for all.
