D form 06-01-2016

D-Form - a new vocabulary of objects

D-Forms ~ Tony Wills


I am not a mathematician.

However, I am interested in developable surfaces.


A developable surface is:

— a surface that can be flattened onto a plane

without distortion (i.e. stretching or tearing)


A D-Form is:

— A pair of flat surfaces of equal perimeter

— Joined together to create a 3D form

— A three dimensional equation


A simple set of D-Forms:

— Two identical ellipses

— Mark different points on each perimeter

— Join their perimeters starting at these points


Elliptical D-Forms:

— 5 different D-Forms

— Only one pair of identical surfaces


Squaring the circle

— This D-Form requires creases on the circle

— There are several potential crease options

— The creases are joined to the square’s corners


Squaring the circle

— Gold plated bronze Squaricle

— 120mm x 120mm x 60mm high


D-Form symmetry

— Spiral symmetry?


Joining D-Forms:

— Photo etched metal with tabs

— A different D-Form for every interlock


Sine wave beam:

— CAD rendering of D-Form beam

— Created by two intersecting planes


Sine wave beam:

— Amplitude and pitch are same

— Sine waves are just spaced further apart


Sine wave beam:

— Dxf file for laser cutter from CAD model

— Weakened tabs interlock


Joining D-Forms:

— Laser cut steel with tabs

— Continuous D-Form ‘sine wave beam’

— Hand formed


Anti–D-Form:

— Two elliptical holes joined together

— The missing pieces make a D-Form

— Positive and negative D-Forms can be reunited


Applied D-Forms


Applied D-Form:

— Exhibition celebrating Britain and Poland

— 3.5m high, made from plywood

— Painted gold with applied graphics


Applied D-Form:

— Prototype ‘D Series’ D-Form marine propeller

— Carbon fibre sheet surfaces

— Masters project at Plymouth University


Applied D-Form:

— Very similar developed surfaces

— Concave possibilities


Applied D-Form:

— Street sculptures

— 8m high, made from sheet stainless steel

— D-Form stone plinth


Applied D-Form:

— Street furniture, bench and bollard

— Cast stone and timber


Applied D-Form:

— Street furniture components

— Precast stone

— D-Form fibreglass moulds


Applied D-Form:

— Luminaire

— Melinex polycarbonate with glass spheres


D-Forms online:

— Professor Paul Bourke

— Created in Evolver software


Vesica Pisces:

— Not strictly a D-Form

— Crease the internal lines, join the external edges


Art & Photos

D form 06-01-2016