Steampunk Strandbeast Kinetic Sculpture

For my final project, I have chosen to move away from the Tuscan aesthetic outlined in my personal aesthetic post. This decision is primarily due to the reasons I stated at the end of that post. Instead, I will be combining the steampunk aesthetic with something I have wanted to create for a long time, a kinetic sculpture.

One of my favorite YouTubers, Engineezy, has made numerous kinetic sculptures, but the one that stood out to me the most was his recreation of Theo Jansen’s Strandbeest. His interpretation stays true to the mechanical design of the original, using wind power and linkages. But aligns more closely with the steampunk aesthetic in terms of structure, function, and exposed gears. However, one aspect that I feel could be further explored is the color scheme, as his version lacks the metallic colors associated with steampunk.

Image 2: Theo Jansen with one of his Strandbeests

Since Engineezy primarily uses 3D-printed parts for his builds, I think it would be interesting to experiment with different types of plastics to achieve a more authentic steampunk-inspired look. Exploring materials with metallic finishes, textured surfaces, or aged effects that push the style of steampunk. I think going at with this approach would allow me to retain the functionality and accessibility of 3D printing.

Image 1: 3D printed Strandbeest

This week, my primary goal is to create a list of materials needed to begin building my Strandbeest. A key part of this process will be researching and selecting the best 3D printing filaments that align with the steampunk aesthetic. I plan to explore options such as metallic PLA and other textured PLA variants that mimic the appearance of aged brass, copper, or iron. Additionally, I will compare prices to find the best balance between quality and affordability.

Image 3: Bronze PLA

Beyond material selection, I also aim to begin printing some of the components as early as possible. Given the high number of parts required for this build, starting the printing process sooner rather than later will help ensure that everything fits together properly. This will also allow time for iterations and adjustments in case certain pieces need resizing or modifications.

I think I waited too long to start my upcycle project so I would like this one to turn out better, so I hope by starting this early and getting the foundation set I can achieve a better final result.

Featured Image: https://www.lindahall.org/about/news/scientist-of-the-day/theo-jansen/

Image 1: https://proustnaturequestionnaire.com/theo-jansen/

Image 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHqqCRVlUus&list=PLeZHG55T1feU8eOnztijFpMBKXbBk1-ni

Image 3: https://www.seemecnc.com/products/1-75mm-metallic-bronze-atomic-filament-pla-1kg-spool