Samuel Mason

Student no: 539568 Semester 1/2012 Group 7

Process analysis: Ecdysis

Ecdysis is the scientific term for the

process commonly known as the

‘shedding’ of a snake’s skin (a layer

of). When a snake sheds it loses the

outermost layer of its skin, allowing

room for further growth. Unlike

mammals, snake skin does not

grow with the animal, and it is this

fact which requires the ability to

‘shed’ their skin. They do so

typically once or twice a month,

usually in one piece. They use

rough surfaced objects, such as

rocks and bark, to help peel of this

unwanted layer of dead skin. The

result of a shedding is a very shiny,

brightly coloured snake. A snake

never stops growing, and therefore

never stops shedding its skin,

however once the snake as

reached adult maturity (typically 2-

3 years of age) the shedding

process will only occur

approximately every 45 days.

Above: Beginning at the head, a snake sheds its skin in one whole piece, resulting in a bright, colourful

snake.

Above: a time-lapse sketch of the process, with the dark representing the old.

Scales: Pattern

The dorsal scales cover the snakes back and

are also known as ‘midbodies’. In this case

there are 17 midbodies. Australian pythons

normally have betweek 31 and 70 midbodies.

The shape of a snakes scale depends on the

breed of snake. Typically, a snakes scale is a

rhombus shape interlocking with the

surrounding scales.

This almost rhombus shape could be

considered when creating a pattern for my

lamp to represent the scales.

Above: the scales of snake have a vast variety of colour, but are always roughly rhombus in shape.

Palimpsest in architecture

I am intrigued in the idea of ‘the new emerging from the old’, in respect to a ‘new’ snake, emerging from its old skin. I would really like to

somehow incorporate this concept into my lantern.

The Dovecote Studio in particular (middle) is a perfect example of contrast – old v new and rough v smooth. This is the exact same in the

concept of the process of a snake shedding its skin and I will draw upon these examples in my design concepts.

Above: Three perfect examples of palimpsest in architecture, with the new emerging from old concept. In these cases the old is used to give character

and a historical background of what the building has been through and its previous uses.

Palimpsest in architecture (cont’d)

Left: contrast in architecture is a very important element. Juxtaposition

in such elements creates an environment which makes you feel many

different things at once.

This dovecote studio located in Aldeburgh, U.K, is made of oxidised

cortex steel, placed in what was a brick dovecote (housing for pigeons

or doves). The architect, Haworth Tompkins, used the favourable

technique called ‘adaptive reuse’. This technique gives what would

have been an otherwise quite plain building (the new) a lot of

character, and gives credit to the history (the old) of what it once was.

Sketch/model Proposal 1

With this design I have very simply

demonstrated the process of the

snake shedding - through a sketch

(above) and a model (left).

This design is clearly far too literal

to be considered for further

design, but it is a stepping stone.

Sketch/model Proposal 2

These are models considering the process,

demonstrating the new emerging from the old. I

am trying to incorporate the idea that the

sloughing skin is an old, rough layer (below), with

a new smooth object emerging from the old.

This proposal is also unsuccessful with its literal

representation of the snake.

Above: attempting to represent the shedding skin as a rough, old

surface, and the new, smooth object emerging from the old.

Above: a quick sketch, engaging with the idea of the old layers peeling away. Above: a close up abstraction of a snake shedding its skin, clearly showing how

bright the ‘new’ is compare to the ‘old’ dark side which has not be sloughed.

Sketch/model Proposal 3

Realising I really needed to pull away from the snake-like shape of a lantern in order for it not to be too literal, and to try and

incorporate palimpsest in architecture I started considering different ways in which I could do this.

The end of the

snake - the last

point to be shed.

The point at which the shed is

occurring, represented by a

wider section - the gathering

of the old skin.

The smooth, shed, ‘new’ section of the

snake.

There could be a light in this section to

represent the new growth and

brightness of colours once the shed

has completed.

Sketch/model Proposal 3 – sketching shapes

Further toying with the concept of old v new and the idea of expanding the section where the

shed may be occurring at a particular point in time – an attempt to not create the snake-like

lantern shape.

Sketch/model Proposal 3

– focusing on the point of shed and shape

In drawing away from the snake-like shape, I started

considering elaborating on the point at which the

shed actually occurs. Between the old and new skin

this is a liquid film which helps the old skin shed. As a

shed occurs the skin tends to gather as it is folded

inside-out. I began focusing on this concept when

creating this model.

Above: this image gives a clear vision of what happens at the point

of a shed, with the old v new clear, and the gathering of the old skin

developing.

Above: when considering shapes which would not be

snake-like, I thought of the idea of the snake coiling

upwards and thought I could develop this idea in

some way into my design to represent a snake

without it looking like a snake.

Above: utilising my great computer design skills, I abstracted the

previously seen photo of a snake in shed, with the idea in mind that in

order to represent the point of shed I could in some way make the

lantern fatter or maybe rougher with the use of 3D panels.

Sketch/model Proposal 3 – scale model 1:5

The smooth top

represents the ‘new’ skin,

which on a snake is glossy

and colourful. Some sort

of object at top –

representing the new

coming from the old.

The largest, widest in

circumference, coil represents

exactly where the shed is

occurring at one point. The

wide nature demonstrating the

gathering of the skin at the

point of shed.

The base is coiled, as a

snake does, but is also

not a smooth surface,

representing the area

of old skin which is yet

to be shed.

Sketch/model Proposal 3 – scale model 1:5

By putting holes in the ‘new’ section, it enables light to be shown

through. I really like this element, and think it could be very effective if

done well in my lantern. It brings life to the new section and

emphasises its importance – without this process snakes would never

grow.

Module one - reflection

The most important lesson I learnt in

module one was the importance of

originality and abstraction. The struggles

I had abstracting my process and not

making it a replica of what we already

know, but an interpretation which is

unique to one person is a very important

factor which every designer must

consider.

The ability to physically turn a 2D design

into a 3D form takes a lot of

consideration. Construction constraint in

design plays a big part in the final

product which will be produced,

particularly if we are talking in terms of

designing and constructing a high-rise

building or something else of a very

larger scale.