MES ROP MEG RAB YAN MESROP MEGRABYAN / PORTFOLIO
EcoTHIRA A Vehicle Designed for the Island of Santorini
2012
/
S3 SCULPTURE
Sculpture “
_should always give the impression, whether carved or modeled, of having grown organically, created by pressure
“
-HENRY MOORE (1958)
/
S3 CONTENTS
SANTORINI, GREECE
/
S3 HISTORY
Island of ATLANTIS? CULTURE Santorinians are typically Greek in custom, wearing their emotions on their sleeves and gesturing wildly. Welcomes and goodbyes are particularly boisterous, with lots of handshaking, kissing and hugging. They live life to the fullest, taking pleasure in daily activities such as eating and drinking. You’ll find Santorinian hospitality bordering on overwhelming at times, but the friendliness of the people will leave a lasting impression and bring back fond memories.
Considered by many to be the site of the mythical island nation of Atlantis, Santorini has a long and interesting history, not the least of which was the catastrophic volcanic eruption that forever changed Mediterranean pre-history. Santorini was once a single, round island named Strongili, whose inhabitants were very influential in the region and shared many traits with the Minoans of Crete. Then, in about 1500 BC, the volcano beneath Strongili erupted with such force that the centre of the island became a huge sunken crater and the explosion caused tidal waves and freak weather conditions that some hold to be responsible for the fall of the Minoan civilization. The eruption was one of the greatest ever in the earth’s history and its result was the creation of a huge underwater caldera ringed by islands. The volcano remains active and most recently, it erupted in 1956, causing more havoc and sending the impregnable fortress of Rocca and its village plunging into the sea. In modern times, Santorini has been a quiet part of Greece, with the locals involved in fishing, agriculture, wine-making and cheese production. Tourism is Santorini’s main industry and thousands visit the island each year.
CLIMATE Part of the reason for Santorini’s popularity with tourists is its idyllic weather. There is rarely any rain and even in summer, the temperatures are not as hot as in other parts of the Mediterranean. Spring and summer skies are almost always cloudless and deep blue, with the weather more changeable during the autumn and winter months. Temperatures range from a daily average of 29°C in summer to 12°C in winter. The humidity can be very high however, meaning the horizon is often hazy, blocking views across the sea to Crete. Despite this, constant island breezes negate the sticky heat and make the majority of summer days quite comfortable, even when they get into the low to mid-30°Cs. Winter winds can be quite cool and temperature can drop to almost freezing at night.
GEOGRAPHY Santorini is located at of latitude of 36o 19 ‘56 to 36o 28’ 40 north and longitude from 25o 19 ‘22 to 25o 29’ 13 A East. The current semi-circular shape of the island derives due to volcanic eruptions that altered the original round shape of the island. The view from the side of the volcano is rocky and in contrast with the smoothness of its east parts. The surface of approximately 73 square kilometres, are mostly pumice very receptive to cultivation. Santorini has a humid climate. The perimeter of Santorini is approximately 36 nautical miles and has six bays. In general Santorini is dry, without lakes, rivers and ravines. The irrigation needs of the island covered mainly by tankers which concentrate the Rainwater and wells. There are on the island three main
/
S3 RESEARCH
CONCEPT
A VEHICLE DESIGNED AND BUILT TO BLEND INTO THE SANTORINI LANDSCAPE.
ROAD CONDITIONS Santorini has VERY narrow roads because they used to be donkey paths inside traditional villages. Even after the 1956 earthquake, they just rebuilt houses in the same place. Cars, lorries, bicycles, motorcycles, quad bikes, motor scooters and YOU the pedestrian all try and occupy the same small place at the same time. Generally the locals are careful around motor scooters. Due to the high elevation from the sea,most roads are stepped, since they were designed as donkey roads.
PROBLEMS DEFINED highest accident record in the European Union lack luster road safety laws police do little about enforcing traffic laws must always drive defensively rough narrow roads, village interior roads resemble ash felted farm tracks.
NATURAL RESORCES Santorini is a dry island and few natural resources. Some of which are very fertile soil and abundant supply of pumice
MATERIALS Most materials must be imported to the island. The lack of major resources is the main reason for this factor. Because of the abundance of old beat up vehicles on the island, and government limit on the number of vehicles on allowed, recycling can be a large factor.
SOLUTIONS DEFINED two passenger compact vehicle slim footprint for narrow road conditions simple to operate must not look like an addition to the island vehicle should accentuate the island’s scenery high ground clearance for uneven roads
/
S3 COLOR
COLOR Theory The relationship of values, saturations and the warmth or coolness of respective hues can cause noticeable differences in our perception of color.
/
S3 CONTENTS
Woven ARCHITECTURE
/
S3 EXTERIOR SURFACING
Local ARCHITECTURE Aesthetically organic Simple arch for support Structures blend with the environment Inter-Connected grace and rigidity Santorini Greece is characterized by its picturesque white painted villages on the top of impressively high cliffs. The main reason the inhabitants of Santorini were choosing areas so far away from the sea was the fear of the pirates. A village in Santorini is very similar to all the villages in most of the islands of the Cyclades: small white-painted houses with blue doors and windows divided by narrow streets.
/
S3 IDEA
Idea PAD
UTILITARIAN DESIGN FUSES SOFT ORGANIC SURFACING WITH ERGONOMIC HUMAN CENTERED ENVIRONMENT
DIRECTLY INSPIRED BY LOCAL ARCHITECTURE, THE VEHICLE WILL BLEND INTO THE ENVIRONMENT
/
S3 GESTURE
PLAYFULGESTURE
/
S3 INTRODUCING
Eco THIRA
/
S3 PLAYFUL
/
S3 ECO-THIRA
/
S3 INTERIOR
EcoTHIRA Interior ENVIRONMENT
Idea PAD
inspired by an OUTDOOR LOUNGE
/
S3 CONTENTS
ColorTRIM “THE DE_SATURATED HUES USED ON THE SEATS ARE COMPLIMENTED BY A POP OF COLOR FROM STITCHING OR PIPING”
/
S3 PILLOWS
Stitch by STITCH
/
S3 CONTENTS
Interior ENVIRONMENT
/
S3 SIMPLE TAPE
A VEHICLE DESIGNED AND BUILT TO BLEND INTO THE SANTORINI LANDSCAPE.
Thank You