INFLOSION

• Arch 301

• Fall 2018

• Professor Ayodele Iyanalu

• Project by Mat Townsley and Braden

Cooper

Discreet Land-Shapes: “The overall theme of this studio stems from the general concept of discreet structures. A discreet structure should be designed carefully with spatial actions that avoid causing offense when possible. We will explore this capacity of minerals to influence architectural culture and land-shapes, through their ability to naturally shape our landscapes and ultimately enhance our quality of life. Through research, abstract explorations and drawings to comprehensive structures and land-shapes. Every landscape has a mineral story to tell. One that dates back to its initial formative state or artificial man-made stage.”

Using this brief, we have incorporated the elements obsidian and smithsonite throughout our design process. We have taken the stance that to truly inhabit a landscape, architecture must take ownership of what is necessary and be respectfully discreet otherwise. We do this by using form and positioning to proclaim the buildings presence while finding “discreetness” in using a lightweight ETFE structural system that allows plentiful light to illuminate the buildings interior for its educational functions.

Site Strategy

Site visits and soil hydrology research helped influence the placement of our proposal in relation to its surroundings

Renders

The ETFE facade helps blend the lighting and appearance of its surroundings on both the exterior an interior

ETFE Section Detail

By using precedents such as Grimshaw’s Eden Project, we developed ETFE construction details that would meld with our CLT framed superstructure.

CLT Mainframe

At 1’=1” scale, we made use of overlapping techniques used in CLT and mass timber structures to address each members in detail. We laser cut each individual piece to interlock with its counterparts.

Conchoidal Structural Pattern

Using the volcanic mineral of obsidian as precedent, we mimicked the rippled distribution of layers in our structural system.

ETFE Pillows

Each pillow was made by sculpting a clay mold by hand, then vacuum forming acrylic sheets that took its form. They were then adhered to the steel space frame accordingly.

Final Model Interior

Although the final model was not the focus of our presentation, it served as a useful investigation tool in our effort to rationalize the project.

Section

We used large hand drawings as a design tool throughout the entire studio project. Using elements from our physical model, we traced section profiles onto ling sheets of paper and began illustrating the proportions and spatial relationships of Inflosion.

Elevation

This hand drawn elevation served as one of our main iterative outlets throughout the timeline of this studio. Each iteration of the drawing was 6’ x 2’ and took about 3 hours to complete.