Rest by the Other Red Giants an eco-conscious bench design using local California Eucalyptus
o
o
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to be located between Dexter and Kennedy Library
by
Tyler Ellison on
December 8, 2016 for
Professor Joe Ragsdale, LA 243
Assignment: THE ART OF CONSTRUCTION
Date:
DECEMBER 8, 2016
Sheet Title: SITE PALETTE
Faculty:
JOSEPH RAGSDALE
Sheet:
1 OF 7
Student:
TYLER ELLISON
Course: L.A. 243
SUSTAINABILITY
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PERFORMANCE
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OVERVIEW
MATERIAL:
EUCALYPTUS
Eucalyptus is a genus of some 700 species native to Australia but adapted and plantation-grown in California and throughout the world. Following a massive California planting spree in the early 1900s for building material and fast growing windbreaks, a federal study concluded that the wood was prone to warping and cracking, effectively nixing its potential construction use in the states. However, Eucalyptus lumber continues to be a major construction material throughout the developing world. More recently in the United States, companies such as Cali Bamboo have introduced eucalyptus flooring, while others have developed limited lines of outdoor furniture. The millions of trees planted stateside have now grown for decades and act as iconic coastline features.
Clockwise from top left: Eucalyptus logs, Flooring by Cali Bamboo, Reclaimed Eucalyptus bedframe by San Diego Urban Timber, Eucalyptus tabletop by Palumbo Woodworking, Eucalyptus deck by AusTimber
Cut trees are most often used as biomass and in paper production but definitely have potential, if given due drying and preparation, to be used in smaller scale construction. The trees produce very wet wood toned reddish-brown to pink. Optimal growing conditions ensure their fastest growth, yet the trees are generally adaptable to a variety of warmer planting locations. Eucalyptus grow very vertically, are known for coppicing, and boast a natural resistance to fire and insects. Large trees may frequently be found in the urban environment. Rather than either rotting, going through a chipper, or burning, these large specimens may be reclaimed for use in small-scale construction and exploited for their unique beauty and size of timber and slab. Local sourcing contributes most significantly to its sustainability as a material. Groves are highly renewable due to coppicing and their rapid growth cycle (sometimes as little as 5 years). Eucalyptus groves themselves have also been used to restore ecological balance in mining lands.
Assignment: THE ART OF CONSTRUCTION
Sources: Karlen, Douglas L., ed. Wiley Series in Renewable Resource : Cellulosic Energy Cropping Systems (1). Somerset, GB: Wiley, 2014. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 17 November 2016. “Eucalyptus.” University of Minnesota Extension. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2016. Healy, Elizabeth. “New Life for Old Wood.” FineWoodworking. The Taunton Press, 06 Oct. 2016. Web. 17 Nov. 2016. Eucalyptus Grandis. Primefacts, a treesmart factsheet. September 2010. www.industry.nsw.gov.au
Date:
DECEMBER 8, 2016
Sheet Title: MATERIAL: EUCALYPTUS, PART 1
Faculty:
JOSEPH RAGSDALE
Sheet:
2 OF 7
Student:
TYLER ELLISON
Course: L.A. 243
LOCAL SOURCING
MATERIAL:
EUCALYPTUS
The Cal Poly Campus and the greater San Luis Obispo community boasts an array of Eucalyptus groves and individual trees. In eventuality some of these trees pose either property or safety risks, primarily due to their massive size. When necessity requires their removal, crews can easily leave blocked sections for finishing, drying, and bench construction. This scenario of lumber reclamation is exceptionally sustainable. Alternately, Eucalyptus might be sourced from a local company such a the Box Kite Barn Yard or Pacific Coast Lumber. Finished Eucalyptus is not widely available, especially in California, but both local companies specialize in reclaimed wood and local sourcing. On its website, Pacific Coast Lumber prides itself on being the “largest eco-friendly urban forested lumber mill in California,” but even so, unique pieces of Eucalyptus wood are not always readily available and must be sought for.
Clockwise from top left: Deck chairs by Vivaterra, Swan River Pedestrian bridge in Perth with Eucalyptus decking by Arup, Florida Crotchwood cutting Eucalyptus slabs, Bench by Plow and Hearth, Reclaimed succulent garden seating by Christopher Loomis,
Clockwise from bottom left: Bench by Custom Woodworking LA, locally reclaimed Eucalyptus ground plane and fencing (Web at Realgardens.net)
Assignment: THE ART OF CONSTRUCTION
Date:
DECEMBER 8, 2016
Sheet Title: MATERIAL: EUCALYPTUS, PART 2
Faculty:
JOSEPH RAGSDALE
Sheet:
3 OF 7
Student:
TYLER ELLISON
Course: L.A. 243
Assignment: THE ART OF CONSTRUCTION
Date:
DECEMBER 8, 2016
Sheet Title: PRELIMINARY DETAILS
Faculty:
JOSEPH RAGSDALE
Sheet:
4 OF 7
Student:
TYLER ELLISON
Course: L.A. 243
1. PLAN VIEW
SECTION A SEE P6
SECTION B SEE P6
CONCRETE BLOCK
2. FRONT VIEW 20”
RECLAIMED EUCA LYPTUS S LAB FOR BACK A N D SEAT, FIN ISHED WITH EXTERIOR LACQUER
18”
CONCRETE BLOCK 12” x 12” x 12” ROTATED - SEE PLAN
4”
3’ 6”
20” 6’ 6”
Assignment: THE ART OF CONSTRUCTION
NOT TO SCALE
Date:
DECEMBER 8, 2016
Sheet Title: PLAN AND FRONT DETAILS
Faculty:
JOSEPH RAGSDALE
Sheet:
5 OF 7
Student:
TYLER ELLISON
Course: L.A. 243
SECTION A
SECTION B
4”
CL
6”
95°
14”
3” X 0.25” ROUND BLACK OXIDE COATED SCREWS - TYP
CL
1. SECTIONS
2” 4” 2”
METAL SUPPORT - SEE P7/A METAL SUPPORT - SEE P7/B
12”
3” ANCHOR BOLT
4” - TYP 20”
10”
NOT TO SCALE Assignment: THE ART OF CONSTRUCTION
Date:
DECEMBER 8, 2016
Sheet Title: SECTION DETAILS
Faculty:
JOSEPH RAGSDALE
Sheet:
6 OF 7
Student:
TYLER ELLISON
Course: L.A. 243
4. METAL SUPPORT STRUCTURES
PART A
PART B
4” - TYP
4” X 0.25” BLACK OXIDE COATED STAINLESS STEEL
16”
4”
20”
FOR ANGLE SEE P6/A
0.25” BOLT HOLES - TYP 9” 6” FRICTION FITTING WITH CONCRETE BASE 12”
20
”
NOT TO SCALE Assignment: THE ART OF CONSTRUCTION
Date:
DECEMBER 8, 2016
Sheet Title: METAL SUPPORT DETAILS
Faculty:
JOSEPH RAGSDALE
Sheet:
7 OF 7
Student:
TYLER ELLISON
Course: L.A. 243