Duration: 6 weeks
2023
Rong
meaning the dragon in Vietnamese
Weaving my cultural identity into the design, I incorporated the art of origami as the foundation of my concept. “Rong” embraces Kevlar as its core material, playing with light and shape, and aims to establish an atmosphere of tranquility and serenity. The distinctive quality of the folds lets it move along the structure, allowing for a purposeful light redirection.
The design is a humble home for the material to speak for itself.
Exploring the lighting quality of Kevlar
Kevlar - folded and positioned on the light table
Material - Kevlar
Provided generously with end-of-life body armor from the New Zealand Police, I have taken the initiative to repurpose Kevlar sheets extracted from them; giving the unrecyclable material a breath of new life.
The lighting potential of the yellow-coated Kevlar (found in body amours) is mesmerizing when light passes through. I want to translate that quality into a product that transcends space.
In the making, testing out different ways of arranging the folds
Unpacking Kevlar
Kevlar key properties: • High tensile strength • Lightweight • Heat resistance • Cut and stab resistance • Does not conduct electricity
Since the material is extracted from end-of-life body amours, the measurement is unchangeable. The unique properties of Kevlar make it hard to seamlessly connect the pieces together. After many trials, I found using a combination of glue and the ultrasonic welder to work beautifully.
I did research on paper engineering and experimented with folding paper. I then translated the desired pattern into the computer and laser engraved it onto my sheet of Kevlar (450 x 2000 mm). Doing so helps with the folding process easier and cleaner.
The folded Kevlar moving along the structure - creating different lighting direction and experience
Project outcome:
Since then, the project has been exhibited at the New Zealand Police National Headquarters in Wellington, with the pleasure of having the Commissioner of New Zealand Police Andrew Coster open our show.
