Bridges Conference (Virtual), 2021 – Phillip C. Reiner

The model is a physical study of aperiodic subgrouping. A fivefold symmetric point cloud was subdivided into subgroups; each point was replaced by a tile. Each tile is tilted to reflect sunlight at a chosen angle, so the visible pattern changes over the day. The example has five subgroups and ten tile types; the number of groups and tiles can be varied. The model was painted black and tilt was kept minimal to reduce shadow casting within the pattern.

Research:
A fivefold symmetric point set was partitioned into subgroups. Each point was replaced by a physical tile; tile orientation was set by the subgroup and by the desired reflection angle. The algorithm keeps the aperiodic structure while assigning tilt consistently within each subgroup. The result was 3D printed in resin for the 2021 Bridges Conference.