Prototype: 

For our prototype we wanted to experiment with inflating different shapes and various methods of inflation. We used a wide variety of materials such as paper, plastic and fabric for this process. We first created a quick paper prototype that explored how the modules would sit together at various heights to create the changes in topography. A piece of cotton fabric sits on top of these chambers to create the surface that these plants would grow on.

Then we built a working prototype that demonstrates the mechanism of a single inflatable cell. The prototype consists of inflatable bag, air pump, solenoid valve and a constraint structure. You can control the speed of inflation by adjusting the air pump speed or the valve. Also, we observed that by changing the shape of constraint structure or the position of the weight on the platform you can change the behavior of the cell significantly. This provides us the potential of a flexible and versatile structure solution. 

Taking into consideration what we learned from this previous prototype, we decided to create an inflatable module that has a wide, square shape with built in structures. Using a vinyl fabric, we attached elastic bands to act as supports so that the module would be able to retain its shape even when deflated. By forming the module into a square shape, this would allow the modules to be easily interlocked with other pieces, rather than a cylindrical or pillow shaped module we were working with in our previous models. 

Paper prototype with four chambers

Vinyl fabric prototype of single square shaped inflatable module

Working prototype of a single cell