The Argent Floater

Spring 2018 Comprehensive Studio Professor: Elizabeth Kamell Collaborator: Sizhe Wang

The studio challenges a comprehensive approach in building design with integrated building systems and structures. The goal is to design a seaplane school and restoration workshop.

In this project, we created a blurred boundary between air and water- a gesture and analogy for the magnificient seaplanes themselves, but also because the building could perform a multitude of functions between two media.

By transferring our building site onto the shallow lake water, the building completes its analogy: void of reference or contact yet submerged both in air and water. Despite the fuzziness of boundary, its program and function are clearly divided between air and water.

However, the analogy between a seaplane and a building does not only occur on a functional level: aviation engineering achieved efficient use of materials and captivating form. At the beginning of the studio we analyzed components of a seaplane, breaking it down to its most significant parts.

From the exploded axonometric diagram, we begin to unravel the intricate relationship between function and space. The upper and lower planes separate a dedicated “room” for engine and fuel tanks- a gesture dictated by aerodynamics rather than expediency. Cockpits and gunner seats are carved into the main body which leaves just enough room for radio equipment, hydraulic controls and supplies. Buoys are just designed at the correct size to keep the plane afloat without sacrificing aerodynamics in flight. With all the internal compromises the plane has to cope with external pressure as a war machine. These qualities are what we had in mind when beginning to compile a comprehensive system for this aviation school.

With that in mind, we started to think about the structure we are adopting for a building such as this. The structure must be light, firm, consistent and allow large spans for moving seaplanes. A steel truss system with exterior curtain walls thus became the basis for future iterations.

On top of that, each façade needs to be individually analyzed and evaluated according to its program and energy requirements. Excessive sunlight causes unnecessary cooling thus a shading system is required.

Similarly, to a seaplane with draws its power of flight from air and sustenance from water, this building is designed to be self-sufficient in energy needs. By installing solar panels on the roof, a significant portion of the building’s energy cost could be offset. Sitting right on top of the water, the building has excellent access to grey water both used for general cleaning as well as maintaining the seaplanes. Water also offsets big temperature swings on land, which acts both as a heating and a cooling assistant.

With that in mind, we started to think about the structure we are adopting for a building such as this. The structure must be light, firm, consistent and allow large spans for moving seaplanes. A steel truss system with exterior curtain walls thus became the basis for future iterations.

On top of that, each façade needs to be individually analyzed and evaluated according to its program and energy requirements. Excessive sunlight causes unnecessary cooling thus a shading system is required.

Similarly, to a seaplane with draws its power of flight from air and sustenance from water, this building is designed to be self-sufficient in energy needs. By installing solar panels on the roof, a significant portion of the building’s energy cost could be offset. Sitting right on top of the water, the building has excellent access to grey water both used for general cleaning as well as maintaining the seaplanes. Water also offsets big temperature swings on land, which acts both as a heating and a cooling assistant.