House & Lazar House research/diagrams

Narrative

In Kenya, Africa you might encounter a lot of barefoot runners. They’ve ran that way all of their lives probably, but what about those of us who aren’t born running barefoot? It might even seem dangerous when you hear about running barefoot, but it is actually good for the foot and body. When a person runs barefoot, the way their feet land on the ground is different than shod runners – so it lessens the force of the body weight on their legs. In want to create a prototype that will perhaps lessen the dangers (cuts, blisters, etc) of running barefoot, and ultimately and firstly to help prevent the spread of smallpox through person-to-person contact by its lesions. The purpose - to protect a barefoot runner's most vulnerable parts of the its foot- the ball and heel of the foot in addition to providing protection against smallpox[through contact]

Poster

Video

Rubram Deux guide

Run freely.

Diagrams

Research for Project 1, part A

Project 1 part B

I've started keeping track of how much fluids I intake on a daily basis by writing down how many ounces. In addition, I got a pedometer[that is not very successful] but is sufficient for the data that I need. With the pedometer, I've kept track of how many steps I take [for example - from Atkinson to my car parked near Tiger Stadium]. I want to have a step count because it is relative to the foot. These are two of the habitual sequences that is necessary for survival. I often don't really think about them - and the intake of fluids is important for disaster/any day.

Almost there...

Since the last update, I've decided to just use rubber tire tubes and use a wrapping technique to create my product. Rubber is a good material to help provide traction for runners but also prevents the spread of the virus that smallpox lesions carry in case a runner/everyday person comes in contact with people in the event of a smallpox outbreak. Rubber is relatively cheap and easy to find. Rain, wind, shine, mud - rubber won't be affected by weather. For one protective device, you need 26 inches of tire tube. It is foot fitted [there are 2 buttons with multiple slits for different sized foot], thus it won't slip off in the middle of running. Originally, I was going to line the inside with canvas, but later found that the addition of canvas makes the tire tube stiff, not as flexible by itself. The way I've wrapped it around the foot, the prototype only covers the heel and the forefront of the foot - the only places that comes into contact with the ground for a barefoot runner. Essentially, the person is making their own shoe - that provides the minimal protection of the heel and forefront of the foot and allows the runner to feel as if he/she is still running barefoot.

Progress Project 1

I am done with the lasercut model of the foot specifically. In going with the narrative, I've decided to use canvas and rubber as my materials (I had a few problems finding the right material.) I believe that rubber will be effectively used in Kenya for barefoot runners - it will provide traction and yet tthe foot will still feel minimal impact from the rubber after researching the topography of Kenya - which is rugged/a lot of rural roads that are unpaved. Keeping in mind that this will also help with the prevention of smallpox - I believe that canvas is a good material for a comfortable shield against the rubber and it is not permeable which lessens the probability of contracting smallpox through someone else's lesions. In addition, I've researched the ways that the foot strikes the ground for barefoot runners - usually the fore foot and heel, in knowing that - I will only create a protective device for those areas but it will be connected by canvas throughout the foot and rubber on the forefront and heel of the foot.

approach to designing the prototypes - the grey for rubber&canvas and black for canvas

Materials - Canvas and Rubber from tire tubes