Hisham a muazzam - future natural a gentle walkway - optimized

Future Natural Workshop - Thailand - Chiang Mai

United Kingdom

Thailand

Chiang Mai

Visit to Chiang Mai to work with Chiang Mai university students using the local material, Bamboo.

Future Natural - Group 3 - A Gentle Walkway

The Brief

In Thailand like in many countries walking on the grass is not allowed especially in maintained landscaped areas, the Thai students expressed that as a problem they sometimes face, thus we came up with the concept of the Gentle Walkway. A light framed bamboo structure with cushioned footings which allows users to walk over green landscape without damaging the surroundings.

Future Natural - Materials - Tools - Design

Bamboos

Workshop

Tools

We were in constant conversations with their workshop supervisor Pi Lak. We would spend the morning reevaluating our design ideas, sketching and planning for the day.

Once we realise our design actions we would usually consult with the supervisor for further iterations if required and then move on to making.

Future Natural - Day 1 - The Footings

Initial Concept

The main concept consisted the notion of having an elevated platform which would be 0.5 m above the grass surface creating a raised primary walkway.

Final Concept

- The Initial Concept was to cut the bamboo legs with a pointed sharp bottom so that it could be pierced into the for stability.

Then we realised that would leave unwanted holes in the ground when the structure is remove and more importantly would damage the grass surface.

- This we came up with the Final Concept a more sustainable and mutually beneficial for both the ground and the structure.

The idea of using coconut fibres at the footings which would act as a soft footing interacting with the ground while at the same time provide structural stability. Finally it would also act as a mediator helping merge the greenery with the structure as the fibre will accommodate vegetation growth on the structure, bringing together the concept of Future Natural.

Using the Power Mitre Saw we cut the primary bamboo pieces to size and also cut the 45 degree angles for the primary horizontal piece.

The finished pieces.

3D Render showing the design stage of making the footing units.

This was the idea.

Future Natural - Day 1 & 2 - Diagonal Support

Drilling.

Measuring the right distance from the centre for best stability.

Sanding excess diameter for easy fit.

Nail gun used to temporary hold the structure in form.

One.

All.

Initial sketches.

Rendered model stage.

Future Natural - Day 2 & 3 - The Elegant Ties

Tieing

The ties were much more than just functional, they had a system which was expressed beautifully as part of the aesthetics.

All the junctions became fully strengthened once all the junctions were tied.

Some were more complex than the others, but once you get the rhythm it becomes easy.

One of the key steps to remember was to always keep the rope in tension and tight so that the tie has a firm grip on the junction from start to finish.

The footings were done and now to the second phase of the construction.

Future Natural - Day 2 & 3 - The Platform

Cut the Bamboos to the right sizes.

Use a spacing Jig to ensure all the pieces are equally distanced.

Again use a shape jig to cut the bamboos into a semicircle shape so that they can rotate freely.

Key design step, test the structural integrity with live weight - successful.

Tie the bamboos together.

Fixed into position.

Test on the bamboo footings.

Constructed the primary structure.

Future Natural - Day 4 & 5 - The Platform

The fixed pivot for rotating the platforms.

Special tough rope for moving the platforms.

Future Natural - Day 5 & 6 - Finishing

Spray painting the leafs which will used for shading, the colours will provide a colourful and happy atmosphere.

The finished structure.

Use of bamboo chimes to accentuate the structure when moving.

The coconut fibre footings fixed to the base to provide soft cushioned interaction between structure and ground and also allow a symbiotic relationship.

The structure is lightweight and can be easily disassembled which made it very easy for us to assemble on site.

Future Natural - A Gentle Walkway - In Motion

Rotation 1 - Stand on right platform at D, use the rope to rotate the left platform around its pivot at C so that A now is placed on E.

Plan View Rotation 2

A

Rotation 1

B

After finishing both rotation 1 and 2, repeat again to move further ahead. Build a bridge across to the other side.

D C

F E

Rotation 2 - Stand on right platform at C now, use the rope to rotate the right platform around its pivot at D so that B now is placed on F.

Future Natural - A Gentle Walkway

Future Natural - A Gentle Walkway

Hanging wind chimes to enhance and accentuate the rotation experience

Pivoting point

Bamboo layering to allow smooth rotation

Stepping block to the walkway

Intricate yet very strong knots

Coconut fibre footings

A single footing unit