Phaeton
James Donegan & Callum Garvey

Concept Statement:
Inspired by the mythical fifth planet, which was once believed to have disappeared in a flash resulting in the Asteroid belt - and so-called after Phaëton, son of Helios, who was destroyed by Zeus whilst trying to drive his father’s solar chariot.
Phaeton is a kinetic light sculpture, which transforms in use. The surface uses a Voronoi pattern to approximate the cracks in the surface of a nascent planet.
The design utilizes a shape memory alloy as a silent actuator. Contracting as it is heated, the alloy acts upon the frame to enable the metamorphosis. The central light source reflects off the internal metallic structure, dancing as the lamp changes form; allowing more light to escape as a warm glow becomes an explosion of light.
In recalling Phaeton, we aim to remind the viewer of the fragility of our own planet, encouraging sustainable behaviour.

Project Specs:
Constructed from an internal Hoberman sphere of machined aluminium alloy, Phaeton has a diameter of 420mm, which expands to 560mm when activated.
The surface is clad with sapele wood laminated internally with copper then CNC milled.
A bespoke silent actuator uses shape memory alloy to provide kinetic power.
The precision milled parts are then manually assembled.
Light is produced by a 9.5W LED bulb.

Bio:
Having studied at Manchester School of Architecture, James Donegan has already won a RIBA NW Architecture competition with his parametric pavilion ‘SEED’ which was exhibited in galleries across England.
Callum Garvey has a background in Mechanical Engineering, having studied at the University of Sheffield.
In collaboration, they aim to bring together their respective fields. Through shared interests in algorithms, geometry and digital fabrication they explore the limits of the manufactured form through generative design.

Place of Origin:
Manchester, United Kingdom