Bridges Conference (Virtual), 2020

The Kaleidosphere is a prototype from a broader study of polyhedral models. A set of polyhedra was grouped by their underlying symmetry (tetrahedral, octahedral, or icosahedral) and dissected with the corresponding symmetry planes. The resulting spherically arranged sections were merged with two of their neighbours into larger groups of four. In each group, a different polyhedral section was retained. Mirror surfaces between sections complete the only partially physical geometry. To maintain a correct image, the polysurfaces had to be displaced from the overall centre. The mirrors were cut by a corresponding polyhedron of the underlying symmetry group.

Research:
Polyhedra grouped by symmetry (tetrahedral, octahedral, icosahedral) are dissected with the matching symmetry planes. The resulting spherical sections merge in groups of four; one polyhedral section is retained per group and mirror surfaces complete the form. The displacement of polysurfaces from the centre and the mirror cutting geometry were calculated so that the physical-mirror hybrid yields a single coherent image.