Thursday, October 15, 2009
Project 2: Breaking Camp
This project explored local sun and wind conditions in a rural Ozark setting. Conceptualization investigations began from the perspective of systems. While many systems exist, we focused on space, structure, and enclosure. The task was to design a camp space for students. We were asked to choose from a list of craft activities (weaving, knitting, paper making, and broom making) as a conceptual beginning. We then had to choose from a list of facilities (sleeping, eating, group activity, or hospitality). For spatial relationships, we were given a choice between adjacent, interlocking, space within a space, or linked by a common space. We were also told to choose a structural system (post and beam or load-bearing wall). The final decision was to use everything (sun, wind, craft, etc) to form an enclosure. A lot of decisions to make, but it all came together for most of us.
The craft I chose was weaving, and I mainly paid attention to the over-under repetition (this was later incorporated into the roofing system). I found it easier to keep open spaces in my hospitality building by using a post and beam system with exterior walls. Although I originally intended to go with interlocking spaces, adjacency is what resulted from the column system in the floor plan. The angles of the "under" sections of the roof block summer sun angles while still allowing light to enter the building. In winter, the sun angle hits directly into the structure, providing both light and warmth. It should be noted that this building was not intended to have any electricity whatsoever. On the window sills to the east and west of the building, I designed a space large enough to sit in, creating additional space that still hit the required square footage (800 square feet). You can see this space in the section drawing and in the model (I created a scale figure that sits on said space). The fins on the west are adjustable to allow or block sunlight.
Reflecting back on this project, the design was relatively simple and easy to build. The contours, however, were a pain in the butt. I could have done more with the window sills as far as creating additional space is concerned. Creating cabinets underneath would have been a great addition. Knowing that, I can prepare for the final project coming up next week.
Project 1: Part B
This project dealt with designing a trail shelter that explored sun and wind conditions. Part A was to be used as a conceptual beginning. There were five locations from which to choose from, all in the United States. These trails were: Harding Ice Field in Alaska, Glacier Gorge in Colorado, Buckskin Gulch in Utah, Concho Billy in Florida, and John Muir-Half Dome in California.
After extensive research, I decided to go with the Ice Field. For those of you who haven't hiked this trail, I recommend going to google images and taking in some photos. As cold as Alaska can get, the scenery looks absolutely breathtaking. I'd even consider going myself someday. The Harding Ice Field is located in Kenai Fjords National Park (est 1980), where glaciers, earthquakes, and ocean storms are the architects. The park sits at the edge of the North Pacific Ocean, and the Ice Field is the source of at least 38 glaciers. These gigantic rivers of ice have shaped the terrain and are now receding to reveal their work. As ice melts, rock is uncovered and the process of succession begins to take place.
Now, my original design was turned down two days prior to the project due date. The final design was not my best work, but I did what I could in such a short time. There's not much to it. I wanted to block the winter winds coming in from the north, hence the big circular wall. The rest was just thrown together. As you can probably tell, I wasn't too happy about the final design. So, I'm going to explain the original. It was centered on finding a way to heat the building without electricity or a fuel source. Obviously, the sun was my best method. The design had two south-facing walls; one transparent glass and the other dark-colored concrete. the idea was to let the sun heat up the dark wall and allow air flow underneath the glass. That air would then get trapped between both walls and heat up. Anyone who know their physics will see that the warm air trapped within the walls would then rise and enter a slot into the building. Bam, solar-powered heater. The design diagram can be found in the post with study models.
Project 1: Part A
The first project of the semester dealt with identifying different material qualities and enclosure conditions in a abstract way. By this, I mean paying close attention to certain attributes. When identifying a wall, we couldn't just find a random wall and take a picture. Rather, we had to determine what qualifies as walling. Was it a structure that prevented you from seeing across, or a given line that separated spaces? The same went for all conditions and qualities that were listed. The pictures displayed in the other blog were all taken by me (as usual), and four of them were used to represent certain qualities or conditions for my studio's section. Most were taken in Springfield, but there are a few from other locations such as Potosi, St. Louis, and Sainte Genevieve. To add a little fun and mystery, I did not explain what the pictures were or even what abstraction they account for. I'll leave that up to the viewer.
Enclosure Conditions: walling, layering, screening, shading, cladding, wrapping
Material Qualities: thickness/thinness, proximity/adjacency, connection, edge, surface, transparency/opacity
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