S1 Architecture Technology Sketchbook
Yaoxuan Zeng(Student Number:210512715)
2022.1.13
1.Water Tower
The water tower (sticks and plasticine) to reach a height of 30 cm Function: carry a load of a cup of water, withstand lateral forces
First Imagination Second Imagination Final Imagination
First Attempt Second Attempt
It has a precise triangular structure and almost meets the design requirements. It is held
in place by plasticine, which basically has no stability so it can’t really bear the weight.
It is really amazing that something as simple as sticks and plasticine can be used to accomplish the task ,and I wonder if I can design a new structure with a better load-bearing capacity.
Efficiency:
How efficiently and effectively is the use of materials?
I used sticks and plasticine successfully ,even though the process of building the structure was extremely difficult.
How well applied are structural principles?
The natural law that triangles have stability really has eternal vitality.
Did your design meet the required dimensions?
In addition to being unable to withstand lateral forces, all other requirements were met.
Is it too big, too small?
It is in the right size.
Is too heavy, or too fragile, or is it just right?
Good shape and weight but fragile structure.
Give reasons.
Functionality:
How well does it serve the specific purpose?
At least it can be put on an item.
Is it precisely fulfilling the required function?
Lateral force was not able to withstand.
Is it overdesigned?
No because the plasticine is so fragile that I had to use lots of small triangular structures to organize the sticks.
Are there any unnecessary parts?
No,I still think it is not stable enough.
Innovation:
How conventional (usual, common) or how innovative (new, fresh, unseen) is your design?
I am satisfied with this wonderful organizational futuristic structure.
How novel is your design concept or is mainly representing existing design ideas?
It is not surprising to design a structure with the stable structure of the triangle.
Does the design reinterpret, improve existing ideas?
I came up with this structure after some simple attempts,just a combination of short line segments.
2. Primitive Shelter
To explore and to document the materials and construction methods of your vernacular precedent by means of an analytical sketch section (optional a 3d sketch-model of the structural principle). Design a small shelter or hut by using the materials and techniques you explored.
Requirements: one room for two persons, fully sheltered, a fire place and two sleeping places.
It has a local ethnic characteristics and it fully met the requirements.
The interior design was not efficient enough.
Preserve
the beautiful
exterior and rearrange the interior.
Efficiency:
How efficiently and effectively is the use of materials?
The design uses a variety of materials, e.g. tile roofs with blue brick decoration ,concrete walls and earth floor. I regret using such complicated materials ,which was actually not necessary.
How well applied are structural principles?
My shelter ,even with its rich ornamentations ,is just a one-floor bungalow with not very well designed functional parts.
Did your design meet the required dimensions?
Yes but I am not satisfied.
Is it too big, too small?
It is too big and I want it to be smaller.
Is too heavy, or too fragile, or is it just right?
The appearance was too thick and sturdy ,which was not necessary. Give reasons.
Functionality:
How well does it serve the specific purpose?
This is a successful full wrap shelter which can be used by two people.
Is it precisely fulfilling the required function?
Not efficient enough.
Is it overdesigned?
The appearance is too complicated and the internal function is not satisfactory.
Are there any unnecessary parts?
It seems not but just could be better.
Innovation:
How conventional (usual, common) or how innovative (new, fresh, unseen) is your design?
It was inspired by the traditional houses of my hometown ,but I didn’t use it well enough.
How novel is your design concept or is mainly representing existing design ideas?
The function that can be used by two people to sleep is not difficult to meet ,but it can be a better design.
Does the design reinterpret, improve existing ideas?
I want to design a new interior.
3.Tree House
1. Concept sketch: decide on your main geometry and form.
2. Develop a supporting frame structure with timber profiles of 60 x 120 mm for all loadbearing elements.
3. As floor boarding, wall- and roof sheeting material, you supposed to use 15 x 120 mm board.
4. Provide windows/openings, and seating for two persons. Maximum dimensions should not exceed 2.5 m in any direction
The shape of the tree house blends well with the shape of the tree. The specific size of the tree house was not considered. Recalculate dimensions.
Efficiency:
How efficiently and effectively is the use of materials?
Just timber.
How well applied are structural principles?
Using triangular stable structure.
Did your design meet the required dimensions?
Not really.
Is it too big, too small?
Nice size.
Is too heavy, or too fragile, or is it just right?
Too fragile.
Give reasons.
Functionality:
How well does it serve the specific purpose?
It has supporting structures,a floor, a window and two seatings.
Is it precisely fulfilling the required function?
Yes.
Is it overdesigned?
No.It is precise.
Are there any unnecessary parts?
No.
Innovation:
How conventional (usual, common) or how innovative (new, fresh, unseen) is your design?
Extremely common structure.
How novel is your design concept or is mainly representing existing design ideas?
Simple triangular stable structure.
Does the design reinterpret, improve existing ideas?
I need to recalculate dimensions.
4.Bridge
Task 1 - Paper Bridge A gap of 30 cm
Experiment with paper
Try folding techniques (profiling)
No glue! Folding, stacking, paper clips
Really novel shape.
Consider stabilitiy. Very unstable.
Efficiency:
How efficiently and effectively is the use of materials?
Just white paper and transparent tape.
How well applied are structural principles?
Vertical columns are more reliable structures. The sagging bridge body is my whim. I don’t know whether it is good or not.
Did your design meet the required dimensions?
Almost.
Is it too big, too small?
Suitable size.
Is too heavy, or too fragile, or is it just right?
Too fragile.
Give reasons.
Functionality:
How well does it serve the specific purpose?
Enough length for bridge body.
Is it precisely fulfilling the required function?
It couldn’t bear too much weight.
Is it overdesigned?
A little bit. Too magical appearance.
Are there any unnecessary parts?
Over-elevated bridge bottom.
Innovation:
How conventional (usual, common) or how innovative (new, fresh, unseen) is your design?
Very fancy structure.
How novel is your design concept or is mainly representing existing design ideas?
I can’t figure it out.
Does the design reinterpret, improve existing ideas?
Make it more precise and stable.
Task 1 - Paper Bridge A gap of 30 cm
Experiment with paper
Try folding techniques (profiling)
No glue! Folding, stacking, paper clips
Precise and stable structure.
Extremely awful appearance.
Efficiency:
How efficiently and effectively is the use of materials?
Just white paper and double-side tapes.
How well applied are structural principles?
The whole bridge is a solid cuboid volume. Did your design meet the required dimensions? Yes.
Is it too big, too small? Suitable.
Is too heavy, or too fragile, or is it just right? Right.
Give reasons.
Functionality:
How well does it serve the specific purpose?
Flat bridge body is good for load-bearing.
Is it precisely fulfilling the required function? Yes.
Is it overdesigned? No.
Are there any unnecessary parts? No.
Innovation:
How conventional (usual, common) or how innovative (new, fresh, unseen) is your design? Really common cuboid shape.
How novel is your design concept or is mainly representing existing design ideas? Not novel enough.
Does the design reinterpret, improve existing ideas?
Change the shape.
Add some small changes in shape.
Task 2 - Straw Bridge A gap of 30 cm
Wooden sticks, match sticks, straws etc.
No glue! Plasticine, wire, thread, clips etc.
Romantic look,which was inspired by the Magpie Bridge in ancient Chinese mythology.
The bridge body that can’t bear the load at all. Strengthen the body.
Efficiency:
How efficiently and effectively is the use of materials?
Just wooden sticks and plasticine.
How well applied are structural principles?
Small application of stable triangular structure.
Did your design meet the required dimensions? Yes.
Is it too big, too small? Too small.
Is too heavy, or too fragile, or is it just right?
Extremely fragile. Give reasons.
Functionality:
How well does it serve the specific purpose?
Pretty bad.No load-bearing possibility.
Is it precisely fulfilling the required function? No.
Is it overdesigned?
No.It is beautiful though.
Are there any unnecessary parts? No.
Innovation:
How conventional (usual, common) or how innovative (new, fresh, unseen) is your design?
Super innovative.
How novel is your design concept or is mainly representing existing design ideas?
Unprecedented.
Does the design reinterpret, improve existing ideas?
Adding more sticks would be good.
Task 2 - Straw Bridge A gap of 30 cm
Wooden sticks, match sticks, straws etc.
No glue! Plasticine, wire, thread, clips etc.
Refined shape and structure.
Waste of materials.
Needs to be simpler.
Efficiency:
How efficiently and effectively is the use of materials?
Just wooden sticks and hot-melted glue.
How well applied are structural principles?
Plane bridge body,triangular structure and repeated parallel arrangement of materials. Did your design meet the required dimensions? Yes.
Is it too big, too small? Enough.
Is too heavy, or too fragile, or is it just right? Right.
Give reasons.
Functionality:
How well does it serve the specific purpose?
Excellent load-bearing.
Is it precisely fulfilling the required function? Yes.
Is it overdesigned?
A little bit.
Are there any unnecessary parts?
Yes.
Innovation:
How conventional (usual, common) or how innovative (new, fresh, unseen) is your design? It is common.
How novel is your design concept or is mainly representing existing design ideas? It is common.
Does the design reinterpret, improve existing ideas?
Simplifying the columns would be a good choice.