Professional Documents
Culture Documents
PerFORM
by Protoarchitecture Lab
Bartlett Design Research Folios
Project Details
Title: PerFORM
Research assistants: Frank Gilks, Justin Goodyer, Kaowen Ho, Ric Lipson,
Thomas Pearce, Tom Svilans
Statement about
the Research Content and Process
Description
PerFORM is a four-year, cross-disciplinary collaboration with
the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and the award-
winning artists’ collective SHUNT. The research investigates the
adaptable qualities of digital representation and its relationship
to contemporary manufacturing in architecture and theatre
production. Initial tactical drawings and prototypes led to built
installations, using CNC fabrication and 3D scanning for
simultaneous data capture and space production.
Questions
1. How may advanced digital design representation techniques
innovate forms of performance and scenography practices?
2. How can architectural design address current challenges in
theatre, such as audience access and learning, sustainability
and performance experimentation?
3. How may high-definition 3D scanning be explored as a ‘live’
site survey to influence scenography?
4. How can digital media and production technologies mediate
performance space, and how can these technologies redefine
the role of the audience as agents in a participatory form
of performance space?
5. What role do materiality (reflective materials) and immateriality
(digital technologies) play in this process?
Methods
Sketches and physical models, 2D and 3D CAD models (Rhino,
Grasshopper), 3D printed models including mechanical
components (SLS), flip book, contextual drawings, animations, 3D
scanning (Faro, Faro Scene and Point tools), CNC fabrication
(laser and waterjet cutting), robotics (Universal UR10, with
bespoke driver software), photography and film.
Dissemination
This research was presented in a major public performance at the
Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (2013). It has been
exhibited and presented in three peer-reviewed conference papers
(London, Toronto, Prague), and discussed in six additional lectures.
Statement of Significance
2
‘I am here’, overall
view of The Scan,
as performed by
SHUNT. A group
of figures circle
the scanner in a
slow march while
two individuals
act out a scripted
performance.
3 3
Design model of
a mobile space
for experimental
performance.
An array of 3D and
plan views shows the
stages of deployment
from ‘compact’ to
‘extended’.
Introduction 7
Introduction
4
Illustration
representing the
design of the three
primary elements:
a foldable platform,
the deployable wings
and a proposed
fabric roof 4
Aims and Objectives 9
5
Montage of a digital
model and selected
still frames from
animation
Aims and Objectives 11
Questions
6
Composite image
from the point cloud
model consisting of
orthogonal sectional
3D oblique views of
key areas of RCSSD’s
premises utilised in
the project
Questions 13
6
14 PerFORM
7
Enactment of a
‘forensic scene’ by
RCSSD researchers.
This test explored
how a stitched digital
model encourages
multiple roles to be
performed by
individuals. The
resulting assembly
generates an
impossible scene
whereby character
alibis and
misdemeanours are
simultaneously
evidenced.
Questions 15
8
Analytical drawings
of potential spatial
organisation of a
performance space
built off a production
road trailer
16 PerFORM
9
Questions 17
10
9 & 10
The proposed design
was marked out at
1:1 scale in rope in
a public space near
RCSSD. Staff, students
and members of
the public were
invited to comment
on scale and spatial
organisation. Aerial
view of point cloud
model generated
from the 3D scan of
the 1:1 plan mock-up.
18 PerFORM
11
12
Questions 19
13
Questions 21
14
14
The crying room
scene reflected,
from The Scan,
as performed by
SHUNT. The scanner
captures the figure’s
blind side through
the rebound of
signals from an
adjacent mirror.
The blind side
scene is then
digitally created in
a parallel room.
Questions 23
15
15
The crying room
scene reflected in
plan, from The Scan,
as performed by
SHUNT. This result
provoked interest
in developing the
reflected data as a
parallel performance
space exclusively
within a digital
environment.
24 PerFORM
16
16
‘The reveal’, relay of live and
from The Scan, as pre-recorded scan
performed by SHUNT. data, 3D models,
In the final scene animations, CCTV
of the performance, footage, infrared
an audience gathers footage, photography,
backstage to review sound recordings
a dense multimedia and dialogue.
Questions 25
18
18 Similar predictive
The array of frames simulations were
illustrates the generated for
strategy for mounting Practice Room A
mirrored surfaces in and the external fire
order for the scanner escape stairs. Digital
to generate digital reflections from
reflections in the all three locations
point cloud model. converge at high
This particular array level in the model
presents the strategy of the external
for the internal stairs. courtyard.
Questions 29
19
19
Images presenting
various installed
reflective elements
and the performers’
engagement with the
3D scanner
30 PerFORM
Context
Methods
20
Pocket-sized
presentation.
A flip book is
collaboratively
developed as a tool
to engage audiences
and potential
consultants in
the project.
32 PerFORM
21a
Methods 33
21b
21
Page spreads the project’s 3D
from the flip design model is re-
book. Movement enacted as a parallel
from a sequential performance in
representation of figurative movement.
34 PerFORM
22 23
23
Samples of sketch
models and
diagrammatic
drawings. Following
earlier design
propositions, the
proposal was
22 simplified and
A 3D SLS (Selective concentrated
Laser Sintered) print on a deployable
of an early design structural skin.
Methods 35
24
24
A 3D SLS print (1:50)
and concept test of
proposed deployable
chassis mechanism
that would be
activated by the road
trailer cab
36 PerFORM
25
25
Evolution of design
proposal through
iterative physical
scaled models
that illustrate the
unfolding platform
and roof emanating
from a ‘compact
trailer envelope’
Methods 37
26
27
26 27
First test at merging mobile platform Selected frames from design propositions
the digital design to the collaborative animated fly-through against accurate site
model with a point interactive generated by merging data. Critical issues
cloud model of the performance The Scan. the PerFORM CAD such as sight lines,
RCSSD premises at model with a point trajectory of deployed
Eton Avenue. Through cloud model of the elements and scale
this investigation, the RCSSD premises. were assessable
research transitions The exercise helped and measurable.
from the design of a us evaluate and verify
38 PerFORM
28
Methods 39
29
30
28
Selected frames
form one of a series
of orthogonal views
of an animated
Rhino model, in
this instance an end
elevation
29–31
Views of the design
model, showing the
assembly in
semi-deployed mode,
31 with roof canopy
40 PerFORM
34
34
The Grasshopper
33 (previous page) script at work on
Practice Room A, a model generated
housed within the by the site scan in
uppermost roof space Practice Room A.
of RCSSD, one of The script has
the selected sites for been deployed
Acts 2 and 3 of The to determine the
Scan. The instrument dispersal of reflected
created for this space data outside the
has been developed room and the
using a Grasshopper building. Performers
script that calculates will interact with a
the generation ‘digital’ mirror and
of reflected data the event will occupy
in relation to an external site that
performance hovers three storeys
positions. above ground.
Methods 45
35
35
The Scan,
alternative view
46 PerFORM
36
Methods 47
37
36
PerFORM/The Scan.
Top row: components
of scanning
instrumentation for
Room A. Middle row:
the appearance of 37
reflected figures in PerFORM/The Scan.
digital model. Bottom Composite drawing
row: components of installation array
of scanning and captured data
instrumentation for from Room A
the stairwell. © ScanLAB Projects
48 PerFORM
38
38
PerFORM/The Scan.
Composite drawing
of installation array
and captured data
from the stairwell
© ScanLAB Projects
Methods 49
39
39
PerFORM/The Scan.
Composite drawing of
installation array and
captured data from
the external rooftop
© ScanLAB Projects
50 PerFORM
Dissemination
Public presentations
‘PerFORM’, inaugural presentation to invited experts from theatre and industry,
Centre for Creative Collaboration, London (Jan 2011).
‘PerFORM/The Scan Act 1’, experimental performance events staged to test
possibilities for collaborative creativity during scanning of the RCSSD building
as part of a design survey, RCSSD, London (Apr 2013).
‘The Scan’ (a collaboration between Protoarchitecture Lab, RCSSD, SHUNT and
ScanLAB Projects), performance and exhibition of PerFORM, Collisions Festival:
New Research in Performance Practice, RCSSD, London (Sep 2013).
Conference papers
pp. 50–61
Bob Sheil and Matthew Shaw, ‘Perform: a prototype for making theatre and theatre making’.
Presented at the International Adaptive Architecture Conference, Building Centre, London
(Mar 2011). Published as part of conference proceedings, 2–13.
pp. 62–67
Bob Sheil, ‘PerFORM/The Scan: experimental studies in 3D scanning and theatrical performance’.
Presented at ACADIA (Annual Conference for Association for Computer-Aided Design
in Architecture) 2013 conference on Adaptive Architecture, Cambridge, Ontario (Oct 2013).
Published as part of conference proceedings, 355–360.
52 PerFORM
ISSN 2753-9822
Founding Editor:
Yeoryia Manolopoulou
Editors:
Yeoryia Manolopoulou,
Peg Rawes, Luis Rego
Graphic Design:
objectif
Typesetting:
Axel Feldmann, Siaron Hughes,
Alan Hayward
Proofreading:
Wendy Toole
Bartlett Design Research Folios