Design Diary Project 03: Fabricate Interface/Forum Xinzhou Jiang(1208957), IAD 2
Margate is a seaside town in east Kent, once it was a famous resort, but Margate looks more like an abandoned city. The first day we went to Margate started from Margate’s Museum.
Week 1 (23/9-27/9) Site Visit: Museum
Droit House is our site for this project, and it is quite near to sea and Turner Gallery. The building itself has two part, the front one is a white regular box-like building with a clock tower, and the rear part is a black cylinder-shape which connected with the front part by a short glass walk-way. Droit House was served for a transport company in past time and now it is tourist information centre. The rear part of the building has good view for sea. We quickly measured the first floor at same day.
The photos are taken by Ellie Musgrove and Jocelyn Leechprey
Week 1 (23/9-27/9) Site Visit: Droit House
Week 1 (23/9-27/9) Site Visit: Survey Drawings: Plan
Week 1 (23/9-27/9) Site Visit: Survey Drawings: Long Section
Week 1 (23/9-27/9) Site Visit: Survey Drawings: Short Section
We started to make form working to make the building cast. My part is the western part( office part) of the Driot House.
Week 1 (23/9-27/9) Site Visit: Form Work Building
Sea is our topic for this research project, and I chose “How has the history of Margate been affected by its coastal location?”as my question. Main Resource is Margate’s Library. Margate is a seaside town in the district of Thanet in East Kent. Thanet has been buried under the sea and then it emerged as high land. Margate has under gone changes of climate and has been subjected to severe weather (Scurrell, 1982). Its history is tied closely to the sea. Before becoming a traditional seaside resort, Margate’s supply has depended on the sea, which offered the town food, transport, trade. Up until the early 18th century, the fishing village was situated in Margate’s sheltered location; offering a safe harbour for shipping which then allowed the harbour to be used for transporting local produce such as grain and fish for the London market, as well as for the exportation of goods to the continent (Channing, 2011) Margate face’s the continent at the point where the English Channel is at its narrowest, as well as other coastal cities. It was a military post, “protecting the Channel in times of war and merchant ships from the enemy’s privateer”(Channing, 2011) In the 15th century, Margate was added in the confederation of Cinque Ports as the Limb of Dover without written authority, which supported its Head Port in times of need (Scurrell, 1982). The Confederation of Clique Ports dates back to the time of Edward the Confessor, back to 1050. The reason of its establishment was to develop the Royal Navy, and also provide defence to control the narrow sea against invaders. The King noticed their important location. “At the time, the Confessor of the burgesses
Week 1 (23/9-27/9) Research
of these ports were to supply to the king with 20 ships for 15 days. In each ship there were 21 seamen and a boy-curiously always called the grummett. In return the King remitted to them Sac and Soc (the right to hold court and the profits arising from their jurisdiction). They were to ferry the King, his men and goods, and to repel pirates.”(Kay, 2002) As the limb of Dover, Margate helped to relive the pressure on the Head Port for supplying ships, manpower and money to the King. At the siege of Calais, Margate sent 15 ships and 160 men in 1346 to support the war (Scurrell, 1982). Becoming the Limb also means it obtained considerable benefits through the extension of many liberties and privileges below the influence of the Head Port within the Confederation. These alliances were obviously beneficial to Margate, and also to the Confederation.(Kay, 2002) Sea also brought the benefit of trade to Margate. “At the time, 10 ships a year did trade with the Baltic ports, going out in ballast and returning with hemp and timber for the dockyards of Chatham, Wodwich and Deptford. Much of the trade was in corn and coal for London. In the 18th Century, 7 out of 8 ships coming to Margate carried Newcastle coal”. Trade brought moderately cheap and plentiful provisions (Scurrell, 1982)
However, the development of the town was limited by its pier’s small size. “They were never recognised by the Customs Commissioners; in stead, Waiters and Searchers were stationed to supervise loading and unloading. Lewis says, ‘ Much of the shipping moved from here to London around 1720 because the harbour was inadequate.’”(Scurrell, 1982) There were diminishing fish harvests, due to the amount of seaweed being harvested for fertiliser, destroying the habitats and removing parts of the local sea life. This also contributed to the decline in its use as a port which therefore, led to the negative influence on their related industries (Channing, 2011). In the meantime, another opportunity was brought from the sea. In the mid 18th century, Dr. Russell’s Dissertation on the use of Seawater in the Diseases of the Glands, advocated the beneficial effects of seawater bathing, which became the main cause of the
influx of visitors who wanted to seek health benefits from the sea. (Scurrell, 1982). In 1736, a local Quaker first introduce a natural bathing at Margate, then with the invention of Benjamin Beale’s Bathing Machine in 1753, bathing became the reason for visiting Margate. (Channing, 2011)
Another reason why people visited Margate was because of its coastal location. In the 18th century, the main transport from London to Margate was Stagecoaches. However, what made Margate unusual in comparison to its earliest resorts was its convenient transport link between London and Margate. Visitors were attracted by the faster and cheaper transport before the construction of the railway.(English Heritage, 2007) Hoys were sloops of about 60-80 tons, and became the main means of traveling between Margate and London. Steam packets replaced sailing hoys in the mid-19th century (Scurrell, 1982). The development of tourism brought a thriving atmosphere to the town, rebuilding and extending the town which was a solution to the influx of visitors from the1730’s. Zechoriah Cozens described it at that time ‘ What was a small village is now, through the smiles of generous public, a populous thriving town ‘(Scurrell, 1982). The sea affected Margate not only in a beneficial way, but also in a disastoros way. The storm brought a lot of damage to the town and its people through Margate’s history. A storm happened in 1803 almost destroying the High street. Margate pier was destroyed by a gale in January which led to the decline in tourism. (Scurrell, 1982) Privateers from the sea were also a considerable
Week 1 (23/9-27/9) Research
threat at the time. In the 9th century, the peaceful development of the island was interrupted by a sporadic attack by the Danes or Vikings, the local were terrified and had to leave their homeland. In year 978, the island of Thanet was again laid waste by the Danish privates(Scurrell, 1982). Smuggling brought by seaside trade was rife at that time, which largely affect local men from livelihood. Some smugglers armed with whips and cutlasses often resulted in loss of life (Scurrell, 1982).
We started to make casting by using the formwork. At first, the plastic need to be mixed with proper cold water, after the plastic are ready, use hand splash some of them to make sure every gaps within the formwork are filled. And then we poured the plastic into the formwork. Finally, the formwork would be removed after casting is dry.
Week 2 (30/9-04/10) Casting Process
The casting is useful tool for understanding the site and the building.
Week 2 (30/9-04/10) Group Casting
Week 2 (30/9-04/10) Individual Casting
We tried to understand how to do woodwork by making a pair of wooden bookends.
Week 3 (07/10-11/10) Woodwork Practice
The new project’s site is Resort Studio, which is group F’s site in the last project. The site is located in north of Margate, quite far from the city center, but close to the sea. The historical building is now a big studio providing different artists and designers a good place to work, storage, and present their work. Every artists or designers has one individual private working space, and it is interesting that some of them looks like houses in a house. Although the group F finished the survey drawings, some of us , including me, re-visited the site and checked the measurement. The place we would use as exhibition place was quite mass at that day.
Week 3 (07/10-11/10) Fabricate InterForum: Site Visit-Resort Studio
We had new group members in this project, and we had a brainstorm discussion about how to design a reading room which contains 22 equal space to let everyone can design within them. After Jocelyn suggested using grid fabircate to make curve surfaces, I metioned that we could make different but equal boxs so that they could be used for different programme by combining them in different ways. Then Beia quickly drawed a concept sketch about a hexagon table. We like the idea about the hexagon concept, so each of us contributed many different thoughts about it. About the layout of the whole room, we tried to make it as a maze space, but then we finally decided lay out them into a mass hexagon-pattern space so that people can walk through them.
Week 3 (07/10-11/10) Hexagon Brain Storm: Layout and Concepts
Week 3 (07/10-11/10) Hexagon Site model progress
Week 3 (07/10-11/10) Hexagon Maquettes
Week 3 (07/10-11/10) Hexagon 1:1 Prototype
Week 3 (07/10-11/10) Hexagon Plan
Week 3 (07/10-11/10) Hexagon Section One
Week 3 (07/10-11/10) Hexagon Section Two
After the presentation in this week, our group’s design was combined together with Group A, which had concept about using one individual mutifunctional staircase as one modular to form the reading room by combining them in different ways. As a team, we added the “Hexagon” design’s elements into the bookstaircase design and the team was divided into 4 groups to keep developing this idea. I chosed to join in “detail” group, which was responsible for the detail of the staircase, like joints, hinge, etc.
Week 4 (14/10-18/10) Bookstaircases Details
Week 4 (14/10-18/10) Bookstaircases Maquettes
Week 4 (14/10-18/10) Bookstaircases Rhino Models
Ergonomic is important for making a proper design. By measuring our bodies and taking the photos of them, we can understand the relationship between human body and space, so that we can know what size of space is suitable for users.
Week 4 (14/10-18/10) Ergonomic
After the presentation on Thrusday, we had the final concept from the other group, which use a revolving bookcase with a unmovable base as a modular. Tutors set up the measurment of the modular, and we started to think about what the layout looks like and what the individual modular looks like. My partner is Adelia Silva, and we decided our programme to be playing games and readings. So in my individual modular, I tried use folding table and movable bookshelf to changing the opening of the modular, so that there would be enough space to place books and also enough space to playing card and looking at each other. For the layout, at first we had a concept about a reading space that can control the privacy by revolving the bookshelves. We keep developing the idea, and in the final layout, users can sit oppsite to each other comfortablely and they can choose the opening of the whole space by revolving the modulars.
Week 4 (14/10-18/10) The Final Concept Layout development
Week 5 (21/10-25/10) Layout Design Plan
Week 5 (21/10-25/10) Layout Design Section
Week 5 (21/10-25/10) Individual Design Individual Modular: Playing Cards
Week 5 (21/10-25/10) Individual Design Individual Modular: Reading Rooms
Week 5 (21/10-25/10) Individual Design Model
Week 5 (21/10-25/10) Layout Design Equation and Calculate
Week 5 (21/10-25/10) Individual Design New Layout
After I knew which my position is, I was excited about it because it was near to the front door, which mean my modular would have more opportunity to receive the natural light. And also people who come from the front door would see my modular’s back once they step in the site. The shape of the new layout remind me a house building in another house, just like the work space at fist floor of resort studio. I could not help to imagine how the “ house “ would change if I put a door in the front of it. The “door” might looks like a presentataion board to lead visitors go in to the reading room. How I make the connection? What about the people who are in reading room? How about make some opening on my modular’s back to let the natural lighting come in and allow people from outside can see some view of the inside?
Week 5 (21/10-25/10) Design Development Layout Plan
Week 5 (21/10-25/10) Design Development Layout Section
Week 5 (21/10-25/10) Design Development Layout Short Section
Week 5 (21/10-25/10) Design Development Modural Section
Week 5 (21/10-25/10) Design Development Modular Section
Week 5 (21/10-25/10) Design Development Model
Week 5 (21/10-25/10) Design Development Axonometric Drawing
Those thoughts reminds me an event at London Design Festival in this year, called “ God Is in the Details�. Artists placed magnifying glass or telescope in dfferent place to lead visitors see different details of art works or views. How about a view of inside? or a view of one specific modular?
Week 6 (28/10-01/11) Design Development Precedent: God is in the Details
Week 6 (28/10-01/11) Design Development View Testing
How to changing the view? How about changing the size of them? How about using mirror to change the line of sight?
Week 6 (28/10-01/11) Design Development Maquettes
Week 6 (28/10-01/11) Design Development Model
It is important to make sure every members working together but have different tasks. I chose to join ‘Construction’ team which was responsible for material’s storage and some safty staff when the building process started. The most essential and difficult task for our group was to summarize the number of the plywood to make sure we have enough material by using minimum budget. So we calculated the number of plywood in which a modular need to build, and then tested on a CAD drawings, finally give our tutor a complete plywood cutting strategy drawings and a detailed material table before they order the material.
Week 6 (28/10-01/11) Group Work Construction
We went to Margate to repaint the wall.
Week 6 (28/10-01/11) Group Work Painting
Week 6 (28/10-01/11) Design Development Sunlight Analysis
Week 6 (28/10-01/11) Design Development Concept Sketch
Week 6 (28/10-01/11) Design Development Model
Week 7 (04/11-08/11) Building Plywood Arrival
Week 7 (04/11-08/11) Building Building Base
Week 7 (04/11-08/11) Design Development New Precedent
Week 7 (04/11-08/11) Design Development Maquette
Week 8 (11/11-15/11) Design Development Axonometric
condition
price
Table
number 2
420
240
15 plywood
done
0(b)
shelf
3
218
480
15 plywood
done
0(b)
front cover
1
240
822
15 plywood
done
0(b)
support device
2
240
152
15 plywood
done
0(b)
mirror polished stainless steel
1
200
200
1.2 stainless steel purchased
magnifying glass(*2)
3 30(+)
120(+)
1 plastic
purchased
9.32
magnifying glass(*3)
3 30(+)
120(+)
1 plastic
purchased
8.52
piano joints
4
opening(bas e1)
1 rad:170/145
2 plywood/mdf
opening(cont rol device)
1 rad:170/156
2 plywood/mdf
opening(piec es
measurement-length
6 rad:3
rooďŹ ng bolts
4 rad:3
thickness
material
metal
18
springs(open ing)
Week 8 (11/11-15/11) Building Material Lists
measurement-width
less than 1
more than 20
aluminium/ plastic
metal
done
4.99
1
Week 8 (11/11-15/11) Building Building Bookshelves
Week 8 (11/11-15/11) Design Development Model
Week 8 (11/11-15/11) Design Development Material test: MDF and Aluminum
Week 8 (11/11-15/11) Design Development View Test: Telescope
Week 8 (11/11-15/11) Design Development View Test: Mirror Lighting
Week 8 (11/11-15/11) Design Development Precedent: Arab Institute in Paris
Week 8 (11/11-15/11) Design Development Ideas about Controling the Pieces
Week 9 (18/11-22/11) Design Development Building 1:4 Prototype
Week 9 (18/11-22/11) Building Building 1:1 Prototype
Week 9 (18/11-22/11) Builidng Building Main Construction
Week 10 (25/11-29/11) Builidng Transport and Installing
Week 10 (25/11-29/11) Builidng Result
Week 10 (25/11-29/11) Builidng Result
Week 10 (25/11-29/11) Building Result
Week 10 (25/11-29/11) Building Result
Week 10 (25/11-29/11) Building Result
Week 10 (25/11-29/11) Building Dismount