This thesis documentation is submitted to
The School of Architecture + Design of Virginia Tech In partial fulfillment of a
Bachelor of Architecture Charles Culbertson
Thesis Honor Award Finalist Primary Advisor: Christopher Pritchett
Fall 2020 - Spring 2021
Table of Contents
I.
Aeolian Perception Chamber
II.
Construction Process
III.
The Unknown
IV. Beginnings V.
Inspirations + Precedents
I Aeolian Perception Chamber
This project investigates how a perceptual understanding of place can be enhanced through the integration of natural forces and Audiovisual Architecture. Audiovisual Architecture is a term used to describe how the composition of sight and sound communicate to define spatial qualities, tectonics, time, and place.
Site Context
Located on a sheep farm in Christiansburg, Virginia, a structure has been arranged to give an alternate audiovisual perception of wind. The structure uses tensioned acoustic strings to relay the varying wind speeds through the harmonies it plays. The tapered form takes advantage of The Venturi Effect to increase the laminar flow of heavy North South winds on the site. The form of the structure is designed to accept the sloped topography and vertically fit within the scale of the trees. This site was chosen for its distance from disruptive noise and open rolling hills for the wind to freely flow. This project was funded by Virginia Tech Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT) and the site rest on the property of Virginia Tech Faculty Christopher Pritchett.
The structure resting in the landscape as seen from the farm entrance.
The entrance to the land rest at the highest elevation point giving a clear view of the land from the north. The sheep that occupy the land have engraved pathways that cut through the tall grass giving an individual many directions to go. Their presence is most evident where shelter lies. The band of sheep has now made a new path to shelter.
Site plan displaying heavy wind flows from north to south through the structure.
Early sketches that studied how animal life navigated the rolling
landscape and existing structures.
The Instrument
The instrument serves the purpose of relaying various wind speeds into something a human can hear. The sheet metal walls and roof serve the function of accelerating the north south winds to the instrument. The entrance pulls the wind in with the oblique wall and curved roof, but sound will be amplified out toward the individual because of the tapered form. Audiovisual Architecture is achieved here. Spatial qualities, tectonics, time, and place are all understood through seeing how the wind moves through the space, and hearing how it is relayed.
II Construction Process
The obstacles of construction always challenged the original design intent, but with new challenges brought new solutions. This is partly why it was so important to bring these ideas to full scale. The intensively detailed processes of production and construction created an atmosphere of learning for all students and faculty involved.
Land Surveying + Excavation The first step of construction was the most important to ensure proper alignment and dimensionality. Marking the land clarified the relationship between scale, individual, and site. This understanding continued to change as the construction progressed.
Sheep Obstacle Course
Marked lines after proper alignment of dimensioning cord
Excavated and leveled ground for ceramic block and mortar
Ceramic Block Foundation The ceramic block serves as a platform for an individual that is separate from the structure. The block was chosen for its ever-changing natural patina & its acoustic qualities. One’s perceptive nature becomes more aware as they study the different shades and dimensions, and when their footsteps drum a different tune to each block.
Edge line created from products gripping point
Image of the varying block colors, textures, and sizes
Concrete Pile Foundation Along with the block, the top of each column rest at level ground. This was very important to emphasize the drastic grade change that exist on the site. Also, a rectangular steel member was cast into each cylindrical pile so the wooden columns could keep a safe distance from the concrete.
Complete foundation level to the horizontal plane
Column Production + Framing Each column is made up of two 2x4’s that are spaced apart at 1-1/2” , and connected along various center points by a metal spacer. This was an invention that arose because of woods natural warping. The spaced column completely straightens and strengthens each member and allows for unique connections along the vertical axis. This is how the columns are attached to the rectangular steel. These columns also allow the north south winds to flow through the gaps of the structure.
Rendered detail of design intention
Product after off-site production and frame assembly
Sheet Metal Walls + Roof Installation
The 4 x 8 cold rolled sheets were chosen for their acoustic qualities, workability, and how they weathers overtime. The smooth surface allows wind to flow to the instrument while its metallic properties and form amplify the sound. The rigid surface also prevents the structure from racking.
View of the entrance of the completed structure
Curious sheep investigating the sound of the instrument
III The Unknown
Design is too well controlled at the desk. Entering the built realm forces one to make decisions and deal with the unknowns. It is the unknowns that fuels the excitement of design and teaches one the most. The perceptual understanding of a place is best understood when an individual is able to develop their own opinions of what they observe.
Capricious Weathering
Studying the patterns of weathering promotes a curiosity of the relationship between materials and place. These moments unveil material interactions with natural forces and beings, each of which cannot be planned or controlled.
Weathered washer leaving its mark on the surface of the column
Slow process of oxidation on the surface of the sheet metal wall
Rapid oxidation process from direct contact with moisture
Cracking and patina change from various temperatures and human interaction
Concrete Form-work Inkblots The tubes used for the concrete pile formwork were coated with a white paint which left behind its mark. The decision to use this material as the form-work was purely for its workability and availability.
Varying On - Site Visibility Before the erection of the frame it was unclear where the structure would be visible from. The structure can be seen from the only entrance of the site, but this visibility begins to diminish as one traverses the land.
Remaining Marks
The marks of construction and production are comparable to the construction lines of a draftsperson displaying their investigations, mistakes, and reasoning. These marks with slowly fade away with the aging of the structure.
Effects of Human Occupancy
The effects of an individual in the structure were unknown until its completion. When occupying the space it is clear what directions the wind and noise are coming from. The wind reaches its strongest point at the instrument, but the sound of the instrument is loudest at the entrance of the structure. If an individual gets too close or even touches the instrument it no longer will produce noise. The more time an individual spends in the structure the more they will understand that human occupancy only limits it’s functions.
IV Beginnings
Altering the perception of construction materials through various arrangements and representations was the starting point for this thesis. This was an attempt to understand how products designed for a specific function can be altered to be perceived and function alternatively. This idea is successfully executed with the instrument and columns.
OSB Studies
These prints were the first effort in trying to understand a common construction product in a new way. The multicolored prints were successful in clearly displaying the various layers of wood chips, while the single colored prints were capable of picking up hidden grids from their production process.
Assemblages The assemblages were an investigation of building materials and joints compressed to the scale of the human body. This was successful in creating unusual shadows and moments of framing, but the typical modes of connection sustained ones typical perceptions of these materials.
Instrument Investigations These later assemblages were an effort to improve on the previous one through incorporating a function. The function of a wind instrument was an attempt to alter ones audio perception along with visual and touch.
Aluminum sound resonator (downspout) with nylon string (fishing line)
Model Investigations
Many models were constructed to continue the investigation of altering an individuals perceptive nature. These models aimed to accomplish this through unique forms that challenged a materials usual assembly.
Plywood assembly
Gabion wall and timber assembly
Final Form
This model was a focus on enhancing ones perceptual understanding of their surroundings rather than altering it. The final form was determined through the various series of models, drawings, digital models, wind investigations, and material investigations.
Rendered design (02-05-2021)
Image of the structure ( 05-12-2021)
V Inspirations + Precedents
Musical Inspiration
The music one listens to behind the desk has more influence on their design then they know. These albums were consistently being listened to in the early stages of design. All of them Incorporate unusual clips of sounds that stimulate memories and emotion without lyric. This was the inspiration to enhance usual perceptions, but through material rather than sound clips.
Boards of Canada
Washed Out
The Flaming Lips
Music Has The Right to Children
Mister Mellow
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1
Birds, children playing, white noise, & TV clips
Traffic sounds,matches, children talking
Birds, Toy robots, squeaky toys
Allmannajuvet Zinc Mine Museum
Many details of the Zinc Mine Museum by Peter Zumthor were an inspiration to the Aeolian Perception Chamber. This project was investigated because of its similar use of material and challenging site conditions.