10/18, Precedence Research for Final Project I am looking for inspiration for a jumping off point. This elegant folding creates structural interest with integrity.
Visual segmentation creates a reassuring pace.
Fabric and tension creates a structure with lightness, while Calatrava’s architecture (the lower 3 images) combines senses of soaring and delicacy. It is graceful and heightened.
Shigeru Ban’s work is unexpected but still graceful and serene. I like the curving shapes and how he reveals the structural components.
10/21 I am having a lot of difficulty picking a direction for this next model. I am making quick mock up models to generate ideas. I don’t love any of them which is frustrating. I need to pick some point of inspiration, and find a design integrity. Here are some of my attempts.
I liked the wall on the right there that had open, semi circular column. I felt okay about the 2 posts with diagonal lines running down. I could not think where to go, and how to make a unique design feel
cohesive if I kept sprawling. I went back to my precedence research and remembered that I liked the exposure of structural pieces. I mentioned my frustration to my family at breakfast. ● My husband said: “Try to make something current. Think of small houses or maybe an airstream camper.” ● My daughter said: “Make a garden! Have a big tree with a swing hanging down!” I had something to hold onto. I thought these ideas related to the last 2 images in my research. I like the curved walls that give a camper feel. I won’t have a tree unless there is one on my eventual building site. But I can use beams to be trees, and a swing makes a lot of sense it what will be an outdoor sculptural experience. I am letting go of soaring awnings. I need to begin somewhere concrete. 3/22 Final Project, 1st Iteration I am really excited about this design. It is actually buildable. My husband is a furniture maker and I understand the difficulties with making pieces stick together. I did some problem solving along the way and ended up with a result that is beautiful and feasible. The horizontal and vertical lines cross each other only visually as they are on opposite sides of the piece. The wood could be easily sourced and the construction itself would be relatively straightforward apart from the semi circle pieces and any irregular ground surface. The shortcoming for this assignment is that the model does not push into any new areas of folding, tension or tessellation. I struggled with these elements and decided to use segmentation and curvature instead. I thought including a moving piece (the swing) heightened the experiential quality of the design. Images of the first iteration of the final project
On presentation: I brought in my model of the swing in the half dome. The beams and posts extending from it made an interesting lattice work. I incorporated movement, and a final destination for a little journey. These elements were successful. However before I shared my work, I saw my classmates’ models with the fuller realizations of concepts like folding and tessellation. They were often less structurally complete than what I brought in. Okay, so you have folded a piece of paper. It is pretty, but what is it? When I spoke of my model, I did it with the air of apology for not accomplishing an exploration of these more abstract design concepts. And so Jerry went along with me there, seeming a little disappointed in my result. While I received feedback, Ben picked up my model, caused the swing to move, and whispered to me “I want to sit in there”. Actually I agree with him! Think how lovely that space would be in a garden with sunlight spilling in and with the wooden slats providing a framework for the beautiful, wild greenery beyond. It’s not that I am beyond critique here. The problem is that I help critique myself and I don’t end up giving my work the fair shot. This would be a terrible approach in a presentation. I need to present my work with confidence. Then I can receive criticism with grace. (In this photo of singer Jason Mraz’s wedding. I love the simple effect of framing nature.)
Final Project, 2nd iteration Trying to move away from the readily recognizable, I pictured the work of Calatrava and of Jansen. I was interested in light forms strung across graceful framework. I thought too of Christo’s Gates from Central Park. Positive points were my success in moving away from the predictable/readily recognizable, into the more abstract. Could there be more than one line of ‘sails’? Could they articulate and make the invisible (wind) visible?
Final Project, Iteration #3 Successful elements in this rendition include the angular tubes near and around the swing alcove. I
also introduced an element of sound with the bells. The sound would carry to the swing via the angled tubes. But the bells would be activated by another person climbing to reach the pulleyincorporating cooperation into the transition.
Final Project, Iteration 4 For the sake of moving forward, I committed to a site: the steep incline on the eastern side of “the country”. I created three rows of sails. I articulated the bases so that the posts could swing back and forth. The height of the base serves to stop the swing of the post so that it would not tip too low. I planned to put my swing alcove at the top of the ascent. It would require revisiting proportions. I had filled up the whole hillside with flags.
What is the symbolic meaning of the journey? I hit on the notion of a whisper or a secret. Breeze would filter through subtlely. What would it say if it was louder? It was an exciting development of an idea. Jerry told me about a movie called In the Mood for Love. The protagonist whispers secrets into a hole in a tree. The three lines of flags needed to indicate a specific choice of path and a destination. I thought of having small boxes for leaving secrets inside. One of the rows of sails will wrap around this destination. But before starting we’ll see other small boxes. These will look more secure, for secrets and regrets. The boxes at the destination will be for hopes and prayers for others. Quite a lovely journey. I am getting attached to my plan and I hope we can build it! This walking sculpture by Theo Jansen is a beautiful example of heightening the experience of the wind and the sun.
Iteration #5 I used the three lines of sails to create one definitive path. I allowed more fabric to billow. The path has wider nodes for pausing in the journey. Small boxes at the start and end of the pathway are painted in cool and warm colors, for regrets and hopes respectively.
Then one night we had a downpour and I wondered what to do about the rain! Here is Iteration #6. This version extends across the balcony. A journey is introduced with an articulated path. Boxes and windows represent repositories for regrets and hopes. I did not have the opportunity to show this version to the class. My final project group was not vocal one way or the other, so I’ve let it go.
November 3rd, Final Project Team Selection This was an interesting process. Without a system beyond putting the two vehicles (mine and Murat’s) on different teams, the pieces fell out by a voluntary system. I noticed that with Ben and Murat on one team, the more vocal classmates quickly jumped aboard. The remaining unassigned folks became ‘Team 1’ with Towers and myself, including the student who was absent that day. An interesting effect of this process is that my team is a lot quieter. The ideas are there but nobody is demanding attention. This is nice in that we won’t be stepping on one another’s ideas. But I want to be sure that ideas are indeed generated. I think this will be a nice group to work with and I look forward to expanding our ideas and building something together. We came up with a preliminary site proposal. Quince provided sketches of the site and I wrote up descriptions of possibilities. November 5th, Safety Video I’m glad to have seen these. Below I have included major points from the videos we saw in class. Power Tool Safety 1. Keep work area safe: well lit, clean, without distractions. Don’t work around vapors or in wet conditions. 2. Stay in control. Don’t lurch or jump. No pets or kids. 3. Always use appropriate outlets and extension cords for your tools. 4. Avoid accidents by using common sense. Pay attention. Think it through. 5. Wear eye protection and hearing protection. No loose clothing, jewelry, hair. Wear sturdy shoes. 6. Check that tools are in good shape: sharp blades, functional guards. 7. Be balanced and steady before making cuts. Do not overreach.
8. Match the tool to the job. Let the tool do the work. Don’t force it. 9. Unplug the tool before changing the blade or making other adjustments. 10. Store tools properly when done. Circular Saw Safety Video 1. Get rid of clutter. No distractions. 2. Keep workspace dry. 3. Never operate when tired or under the influence of alcohol or medication. 4. Wear protective eye wear with Anzi rating. 5. Check the saws parts are working properly. 6. The cord should have a clear pathnot snagging or tripping. Unplug it before adjusting the saw. 7. The blade should not extend too far past the width of the wood about one tooth’s length. 8. Never clamp a circular saw to turn it into a table saw. 9. Never hold a piece of cutting wood in your hand or on your lap. 10. Secure your wood piece to something stable. 11. Examine the wood and avoid knots. 12. Stand the side of the saw, not directly behind it. 13. Always have two hands on the saw. 14. Let the blade stop before putting it down. It will run across surfaces. 15. For a pocket cut, put the nose of support down on the wood. Then start the saw and slowly lower it. You will be holding back the guard but let it fall as soon as the blade pierces the wood and put that hand back in a stabilizing point on the saw. Mitre Saw Safety
1. Mitre saws are for wood. They can be used on nonferrous metals like aluminum, with the proper blade. 2. Keep hands away from side of blade. 3. Your free hand can support the work, but stabilize it against the table. 4. Large pieces that extend beyond the table should be supported, but not by a person. 5. Clamp down small pieces. 6. Keep your hands out of the path of the blade. You don’t want it in the way when the blade lowers. 7. Never cross your hand in front of you to hold the wood. 8. Turn on saw and wait for full speed before making cut. Wait till it stops spinning to release. 9. No free hand cutting. 10. If the saw jams, wait for the blade to stop. Then unplug the saw and free the wood. 11. Irregularly shaped pieces of wood must be clamped down securely.
After class today, my group was able to work on a model together. We weren’t hooking into anything interesting. It was all so vague. I took Quince’s starburst shape (left) and built it with walls (right). Towers added the starburst of beams, a quick visualization of tubing that would catch the sound of wind. It was really fun and interesting, but also elegant. We are all going to look into exploring this model. We want the 3 walled off rays of the starburst to highlight experiences of light, color a nd sound. We will have the unexpected, we will have diverse experiences. We need to develop the paths in the design as well. We will each create our own model this weekend, and reconvene on Monday to make a 9th iteration.
9th Iteration I took the partial spiral with walls and developed it further. I created an incline, and walls of increasing length. This developed a sense of expansion. I incorporated mirrors in the smallest section to capture light, I played with fabric and bits of colored paper hanging from thread in the second section. The largest section has some tubes for catching wind sounds. I imitated Towers’s path style, and placed a platform for sitting or standing on. It is funny to design on an idea separately. We all brought in different stuff. Ryean had platforms between trees, Quince’s spiral became square. We worked together on Monday. We built a mock up hillside. We struggled and worked and came up with this version. I added the sails that night to enhance the journey.
We made a spiral hut with colorful walls, a pathway with ascending slabs, a maze of curtains that we hoped would generate a feeling of walking through clotheslines draped with sunny fabric. It combined many of our efforts, but it ended up uninspired. Jerry looked at our assembled models and his eyes went to my ascending spiral, and to Quince’s square version. He liked the architectural integrity. So we went back to that. We decided to focus only on experiences of sound, letting go of color and light. The platform began to reveal itself to be a shell. Later we saw it could also represent an ear. So we have our team name: Hear and Now.
We then tackled our what might be our 10th version, in 1/2” scale. Sound reigns supreme, in a guitar chamber, a xylophone experience, and a wind catcher. We used this model to find measurements which Quince is clarifying with the help of sketch up. What a great tool! The measurements were not precise from the model alone. The scale is small enough that cutting things off by 1/8” makes quite a difference. Quince’s drawings will act as precise plans. I am very excited about it.
11/17 We removed a lot of nails from some reclaimed (read: “free”) 2x6s today. It was fun to get down to it. We felt sheepish about the noise only for about five minutes. Jie, Towers, Quince and I got better at nail removal along the way. Some bent nails could not be extracted. We’ll just have to pay attention as we use the planks. These will be underneath the platform we are building to create a flat floor and anchor of our walled structure. Thor (my husband) and I were brainstorming on platform plans. The shape is a little off here. We don’t have Towers’s help all weekend due to his work schedule. It seems like Quince might be able to help. I haven’t heard back from Jie. Thor is willing to pitch in. He’s a busy guy, but he loves this kind of stuff. I haven’t heard on Ryean’s schedule. Maybe we’ll work it out at class tomorrow.
11/18, Team Update The group works together well. People seem to respect each other. People are willing to fill in with different types of tasks. I nominated Ryean to create our presentation visuals. She has a way with computers, and I think she’s got a bit of a vision already. She wants to make a presentation board, not a slide show. Towers and I have really been fulfilling our roles as Project Manager and Design Director. We worked together both Mondays and are doing extra research into supplies. Quince is a sketchup master and looked into guitar making for usa great resource. Jie is reliable and a willing helper. Our schedules could line up better. We’ll need to take full advantage of our scheduled class times. We don’t have Jie Mondays, we don’t have Towers all weekend (eek!). I am starting to lose some sleep over construction thoughts. And then I dream about it too. I just have to remind myself that anxiety and excitement have the same physiological manifestations. I’m not scared! I’m thrilled!