OrchestraONE_Studio: Bench Competition_1_2015

OrchestraONE_Studio l.l.c

Atlanta BelltLine Benches Competition RFP: (ongoing) Main Submissions

Winners get financial backing for commission of all new benches on the Atlanta Beltline. 5-10 year contract

“Symbolism Of The Machine” - competition finalist

Design lead. Graphics & renderings lead. Presentation lead. Fabrication coordination

“Narrow Degree”

Design lead. Graphics & renderings lead. Presentation lead. Fabrication coordination

“Connecting The City: symbolism of the machine” Atlanta BeltLine Bench RFP Submission: Concept and project approach

This design calls attention to the historical significance of Atlanta’s manufacturing through material use and symbolism.

While Atlanta is well known for its rail system and the role it played in its spatial layout as a city, it also gained much of its wealth and ability to survive during the civil war through its textile factories. The city used to house multiple large textile factories that were extremely influential to both the growth of the upper and middle class and the establishment of neighboring communities.

Large textile machines, like the ones historically used, moved long strands of fabric and cotton,on huge reams. These reams essentially moved from one large wheel, or hub, to another as they made their way through various mechanisms.

This bench uses brass flat stock, both figuratively and literally, to stitch the two halves of the wood seats together. By doing this we are trying to symbolically perform this movement from one large unit to another, like in the textile machines, but also representing the stitching of Atlanta’s communities with the BeltLine. The base of this bench also contains abstract meaning. The structural steel legs, which are rising out of a basin of stone, signify the growth and advancement of Atlanta’s pedestrian activity throughout the city. This basin also gives a grounding and solid footing to the design, allowing it to integrate into various locations while keeping the earth which it rises out of unified. Even as the materials of the surrounding environment change, the bench will rise from a common ground. Lastly, this basin can double as a place to house specialized art objects by local artists throughout the year.

Although not shown, this design can accommodate for a back if required.

fig1: Textile machine similar to what was used in the 19th century.

fig2: 1908, Girl in a textile mill in Cherryville North Carolina.

Project Approach: Materials of this design include locally harvested wood supplied by Sims Acuff of Eutree, a local wood supplier. (After speaking with him it looks like we may be able to get wood that has been cut down along portions of the trail its self.). Steel that will be locally supplied.

Slate/stone in fill for the basin that will be locally supplied. Brass flat stock.

Fabrication process will require standard large wood working machinery as well as simple steel machinery. Minor to no use of a water jet will be required.

Construction cost and time line will vary depending on the changes that may need to occur based on the city boards approval process. As this design stands it comes in slightly over $3,000, but we will be able to work with the city to come up with suitable value engineering design changes. Although the bench is currently pricing higher, we believe we will get the price down when we are buying material in bulk after the prototypes would be produced.

I believe that a case can be made to push for a possible increase in the budget of each bench so we can give something back to the community that will be both beautiful and artistic in nature.

Current cost of materials, time and installation are about $3,650.00. v Time line for each prototype will be longer than the production benches as we will have more of an assembly line and proper jigs set in place. As it stands, we will most likely need the full amount of time you quoted in your Addendum 1: January 8, 2015.

Production time of each bench after the prototypes will decrease significantly per bench once our construction/production line and pathways of suppliers are smoothed out.

night lights

Connecting The City

M

solar day

symbolism of the machine

Project Details The view below focuses on the corner detail of the bench during the day

This design intends to symbolically portray Atlanta’s history. Second in importance to the rail system, Atlanta gained much of its wealth and ability to survive during the Civil Wa from its textile factories. Large textile machines, like the ones originally used, move long strands of fabric on huge reams. These reams essentially move from one large wheel, or hub, to another as it makes its way done the mechanisms. This design represents this movement from one large unit to another, which signifies the weaving of the machines and the stitching of Atlanta’s communities through the belt line with the brass flat stock that appears to be sticking the two halve of the wood bench together. Additionally, this design is intended to appear as though its structural steel legs are rising out of a basin of stone, signifying a rebirth and rejuvenation of Atlanta’s pedestrian activity. Additionally, this basin can double as a place to house specialized art objects by local artists and the community throughout the year. Lastly, although not shown, this design can accommodate for a back if requested.

The end goal of the finished pathway is to rejoin the city in an interactive, traversable pathway, which will integrate businesses and our rich culture along the way. I believe this design would be a well-suited addition to the Atlanta BeltLine.

Project Materials and Wayfinding The view below focuses on the corner detail of the bench in the evening

Materials of this design include locally harvested wood.

Additionally, the steel will be locally supplied as will the slate/ stone in-fill in the basin. Brass bars are inserted in the top of the wood seats to stitch the elements together and represent the textile manufacturing in Atlanta. Aside from being an object of both design and use during the day, this bench will lighup the pathways of the trail. Becoming a device for way finding, at night the benches can call attention to importance of the areas of the trail where they are placed. Installed and hidden within the structural connection areas of the bench are energy efficient LED strip lights, which are aligned facing up and down.

This bench can be arranged in different configurations.

When placed end to end, one can create a much longer bench. This creates a new pattern due to the interlocking shapes.

connection patterns & path creation:

1 This bench is designed to interlock with a second. An additional seat is created at this intersection.

Seat Back Option

2

Design Overview The views below represent the “symbolism of the machine� design option with a back

1

2

1. Bench front 2. Bench back

This design option includes a back and enough room for two people to sit. When placed next to the same bench, rotated 180 deg., the bench arms extend and interlock to form an additional middle seat. With two benches connected 5 people can sit on the new double unit. Because the benches interlock in a reversed facing manner the two people sitting closest to the center connection would be in close enough proximity that a conversation could carry on. The extension of the seat back acts like a wing which can accommodate for the center, 5th, person. The legs are a variation on the ones used on the backless version and the main front arm of the bench is identical to one of the arms on the double.

Potential Site Location This graphic explores the possibility of using the benches as a portal element at the mouth of the East Side Trail. Activity from Krog Street Market to plan left, not shown, pulls pedestrians to this popular entry way, parallel to the Icebox building to plan south. In this case, the benches become interactive design elements, signaling the beginning of a major trail spot while allowing passersby and trail visitors rest and connect with each other.

6' 6"

1' 4 1/2"

7 1/4"

3 3/44"

4' 11"

4' 5" 6' 6"

1' 4 1/2"

4' 11"

1' 5"

2 1/22"

1' 1/2"

1' 5"

Bench Elevations: This bench is intended to be situated either alone or in interlocking groups. While the dimensions here are able to accommodate more than the two person minimum, adjustments can be made to allow for a longer or shorter overall size. The tapering of the arms allows for more playful seats to accommodate children. A version with a back can be accommodated for and the steel plate slate chip basin could become an opportunity for specialized local artist instillations throughout the year.

1' 3/4"

4' 5"

Potential Site Location

Irwin St NE and the corner of The Icebox

This illustration represents the benches as entry portal locator.

Potential Site Location

Under Freedom Pkway NE bridge and the East Side Trail

This illustration represents the benches as event or location signals

Exploded Build Diagram 1. (2x) 2x8 Locally harvested walnut timber 2. Flat stock steel pressure connection plates 3. Blackened allen head bolts and nuts 4. Steel connection plates and rails 5. Slate chip basin 6. Slate chips 7. Structural tube steel legs 8. Inner steel pressure connection plates and rain opening 9. Brass flat stock bars

9.

1.

2.

8.

3.

7.

4.

6.

5.

“Connecting The City: narrow degree�

Atlanta BeltLine Bench RFP Submission: Concept and project approach

Thought the use of cold and warm materials, wood and steel, this bench reflects the historic value of materials working in tandem. This is done by juxtaposing a live edge slab of wood with a hard straight edge. This cut is offset from a bilateral steel support that passes throughout the entirety of the seat. This piece of steel serves as a datum, which acts as a structural member and visually stands on its own by separating the front and back portions of the bench seat.

The steel, more importantly the angle that slices thought the bench, represents a path of examination by moving from one point to another - but not in a straight line. It signifies the process of travel and the idea of exploration on the belt line. This idea of exploration and circuitous travel was essential in the development of Georgia, and specifically, Atlanta. Dernando De Soto, although not the only explorer, is certainly the most documented traveler though Georgia and Florida.

All of the structural steel members are slightly separated to give the feeling of structural independence and to look like portions of the design are floating. The same design idea is utilized in the support of the front and back seat portions. The back and side edges of the wood are inset so they appear to be light and untouched by the steel, as if the wood is floating inside a steel surround.

fig1: Hernando De Soto, and successor. Exploration paths through Georgia and Florida. 1539-1543

Project Approach: Materials of this design include locally harvested wood/ live edge slab, thermally treated and supplied by Sims Acuff of Eutree, a local wood supplier. (After speaking with him it looks like we may be able to get wood that has been cut down along portions of the trail its self.). Additionally the steel will be locally supplied.

Fabrication process will require standard large wood working machinery as well as simple steel machinery.

Construction cost and time line will vary depending on the changes that may need to occur based on the city boards approval process. As this design stands, it comes in slightly over $3,000 but I will be able to work with the city to come up subtle value engineering design changes.

Current cost of materials /time and instillation are about $3,000.

Time line for each prototype will be longer than the production benches, as we will have more of an assembly line and proper jigs set in place. We will most likely need the full amount of time you quoted in your Addendum 1: January 8, 2015. Production time of each bench after the prototypes will decrease significantly per bench once our construction/production line and pathways of suppliers are smoothed out.

night lights

Connecting The City

N

solar day

narrow degree

Project Details The view below focuses on the corner detail of the bench during the day

This design displays local wood material as the main seating material. This will be done by utilizing locally harvest live edge slabs of wood, which are then juxtaposed with a hard angled slice bi-laterally The live edge and the hard back edge are further intensified by their narrow relationship to the steel angle that cuts thought the bench. The steel, more importantly the angle that slices through the bench, represents the wayward pathway the belt line will eventually take.

This signifies the process of travel, or the idea of exploration while on the belt line. All of the structural members are separated ever so slightly to give the feeling of structural independence and look like portions of the design are floating.

The same design idea is utilized in the support of the front and back seat portions. The edges and the front are inset so they appear to be light and untouched by the steel, as if the wood is floating inside the steel surround.

Project Materials and Wayfinding The view below focuses on the corner detail of the bench in the evening

Materials of this design include locally harvested wood. The wood in this design will be a live edge slab to keep the clarity and quality of the rough cut edges that are inherent in the process of wood harvesting and cutting. Aside from being an object of design and function during the day, this bench assist in lighting up the pathways of the trail at night, becoming a device for way finding. At night, the benches call attention to importance of the areas of the trail where they are placed. Installed and hidden within the structural connection areas of the bench are energy efficient LED strip lights are aligned facing up and down.

This bench can be arranged in different configurations. When placed end to end, one can create a much longer bench. This will create a new pattern due to the interlocking shapes.

connection patterns & path creation:

Potential Site Location This graphic explores the possibility of using the benches as a portal element at the mouth of the East Side Trail. Activity from Krog Street Market to plan left, not shown, pulls pedestrians to this popular entry way, parallel to the Icebox building to plan south. In this case, the benches become interactive design elements, signaling the beginning of a major trail spot while allowing passersby and trail visitors rest and connect with each other.

1' 6 1/4"

5' 11 3/4"

1' 5"

6' 0"

5' 8 3/4"

1' 6 1/4"

1' 5"

6' 0"

1' 5"

Bench Elevations: This bench is intended to be situated either alone or in interlocking groups. While the dimensions here are able to accommodate more than the two person minimum, adjustments can be made to allow for a longer or shorter overall size. The separation of the front and back live edge slabs allow for two back to back seats allowing for slightly more privacy. Additionally, the smaller seat in the back will accommodate children. A version with a back can be achieved as well.

5'' 8 3/4"

Potential Site Location

Irwin St NE and the corner of The Icebox

This illustration represents the benches as entry portal locator.

Potential Site Location

Under Freedom Pkway NE bridge and the East Side Trail

This illustration represents the benches as event or location signals

Exploded Build Diagram 1. (2x) Locally harvested live edge wood slab.

Thermally treated 2. Flat stock steel riser plates 3. Flat stock steel bench seat base plate 4. Steel connection plates 5. Flat stock steel leg 6. Steel support beam 7. Steel support joists 8. Flat stock steel angle legs 9. Steel support joists 10. Steel support beam 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

9.

10.

8.

7.

6.