Pathways, Edges, & Boundaries

This project was all about creating an artifact that would connect the Maude Gatewood Studio Arts building with the parking lot next to it. It was also our first project that included a lot of research. In the end, each of us would need to cast an object out of concrete and place it somewhere in the parking lot or next to the building.

For the research portion, I was in the Environmental group. We had to focus on the environmental elements that affect the parking lot. I was in the subgroup that monitored traffic patterns and what impacts them. We noticed that people weave through the parking lot instead of walking down walkways and sidewalks. We could also tell that the islands get filled with puddles in the rain, preventing people from walking on them. People also tend to walk on the edges of the islands. Drivers tend to speed while driving through the parking lot. These are all elements that we new could affect our design.

After we presented our findings, we got put into new groups. These 5 groups (Gateway, Oasis, Mirage, Desert, and Building Edge) were the groups that we would cast our concrete in. Here are some of my first sketches and ideas:

I thought it was important to make sure the edges were covered in concrete since people walk on them. Besides that the Mirage island didn't really have a clear walking pattern already created. We also had to deal with the emergency poll, which could possibly limit what we could put there.
Throw Up sheet:
Originally we came up with an idea that consisted of a series of pillars that would show progression to or away from the emergency poll. Also, the class as a whole decided we wanted to incorporate circles and squares into all of the designs. We decided to cover our ground plane in circle and square stepping stones. However, due to the limits concrete has, we had to simplify this design. Here is a link to our process.

We were struggling with our design and had a meeting with Tommy to get some more insight. Then we came up with our final idea. We were going to simplify the ground plane in a way the placed more importance on the emergency pole. We would make a pattern of circle and square pavers around the emergency pole as a place to stand when it's in use. On the curved edges, we would make a half circle shape out of seven rectangle pavers.


With this plan, we moved onto building our molds and casting our objects. This photo shows the first time the group experimented with concrete and texture. Kitty Litter was used as the aggregate, so we decided to use pea gravel the next time to make it stronger. You can also see we tried out a wire brush texture. We liked this look somewhat but needed to work on it.


We worked on casting for a few days and then were the first group to finish them. My plan and section drawing of one of our pieces: Finally the project was done and all that was left was the exhibit. Here is a photo of the cut-outs that we worked on and put on the window.


Bray and I printed and cut out the title letters, which is more challenging then you think.

For the exhibit we tried to stay with neutral colors. A lot of brown was used because so many of us used cardboard in this project.

Our final concrete pavers out on site. Next semester we will dig out the islands to set them permanently.

Although it wasn't our original design, we saw what happened when we placed four circles together. We decided we liked this so we'll make two more circles next semester to complete the design.

Dialog

For this project, we had to use our 12 skewers and 12 4x6 bristol cards to create a dialog between two spaces. I had an idea from the beginning to construct two spaces within a triangle shape with a 90 degree angle. I wanted to fold the cards so that the two spaces were clearly defined, with a gap inbetween them.

First sketches:

First sketch model:

This first sketch model shows my general idea, however I had leftover cards and skewers that I needed to put somewhere. The extra ones are basically applied on the sides and bottom.

Second iteration:

Had to use an extra stick to show what angle I wanted the flaps to be. This shows my idea a lot better, however I couldn't get the flaps to stay put so the extra stick in the middle is holding them in place.

Third iteration:

This model was getting close, but it still wasn't sturdy and I couldn't get the flaps to line up in the same angle. I liked the arcade effect of the skewers hanging over the edges. The gap between the two spaces was still in this iteration and I was debating whether this created a third space or not.

Final:

Finally, I decided to bind the cards together to create six planes. This helped make the structure a lot stronger. The dimensions of the cards and skewers made it so the top skewers hung over the edge about an inch. The bottom skewers were about 1/2" away from the edge. This creates a line of continuation and stimulates the dialog between the two spaces.

I used globs of hot glue to keep the skewers in place and to make sure they kept the right angle. I shaped them with the hot glue gun so that they weren't sloppy.

The dialog between the two spaces exists because they share the same space and work together to create a right triangle. One space is much more dominant then the other.

Graphic, two elevations, and plan:

Unity

For the Unity project, we had to take 12 4x6 bristol board cards and 12 bamboo skewers and create something that was unified. It could be anything we wanted, as long as the skewers and cards showed unity. To start this project, I decided to fold the paper around the skewers and see what I could come up with. My first sketches and iteration:


Around each fold of the paper there are two skewers outlining that edge. There are some things I decided to change about this idea. First I turned it upside down and liked the shadows that were created inside the structure. However, I didn't like the overlap of the cards. They were just glued together and it didn't add anything to idea. I also got the idea from the critique to put the skewers in between the cards, which would create a space the same width of the skewer.

I made a second iteration addressing all of these things, but it didn't stay together very well. The cards on the top only came out 2 inches and didn't touch. I realized this is what made the structure so sturdy and that they needed to be connected.

For the final iteration, I made sure that my craft was much better. I had the cards touching on the top only on the corners. This way there wouldn't be any overlap, yet it was still sturdy. The final:

Some things I really like about this project are the tips of the skewers sticking out at the top and the depth created on the sides. The 12x12 graphic, gesture drawing, contour drawing, elevation and plan view:


I used the following techniques to create unity in this object: simplification, proximity, pattern, closure, continuation, alignment, and similarity. The skewers in their vertical position create a straight continuous line, even though they are covered for the most part. The cards are bound around the skewers creating a closed inside space. The three modules of 4 skewers and two cards create a simplified pattern around the structure. All of these elements create a strong sense of unity.

Unity: Comparing projects

My project:
Classmate's project:

I chose to compare my project to Hailey Granetz project because I noticed some similar qualities in our structures. We both used the skewers vertically and bound the bristol board cards around the skewers. The paper is folded around the skewers in exact angles all around which creates a space inside the project. While she created an overall rectangular cylinder, mine is a hexagonal cylinder. This is playing with the idea of closure, which is another technique used to create unity. Proximity is another important aspect to create unity in my project, and I can see it is in Hailey's also. I created a sense of depth with how close the cards were to each other and making these spaces equal. Hailey did this by creating an equal space between the main box shape at the top of her project and the two corners at the bottom. This space is the same width as those squares. Another thing I find similar to my project is her placement of some of the skewers. All of my skewers are grouped together in twos. Eight of her skewers are also grouped together this way. My skewers are about a quarter inch apart, while hers are actually touching.

A Box for 12 Twigs

For this project we had to make a "box" for 12 twigs using only paper and a binding agent. My goal from the beginning was to create a system out of my twigs. My first sketches and iterations:


I decided on the model with the twigs bound in the corners. This way they were working together to hold the box together. Some more sketches of this idea:

Next I had to figure out what to use as the binding agent. First I just used glue, but the binding agent had to be implemented into the design. I decided to try using thread, possibly in a contrasting color to the twigs and the blue paper.

After this iteration I realized I needed stronger paper. I made the next model out of thicker bristol board. I wanted to see what my model looked like just using neutral colors (white paper and black thread). This way I could focus on the twigs and basic structure of my project.

I really liked the white paper in contrast to the twigs. It made them pop. To enhance this even more I decided to use a dark gray thread. From far away it made the twigs look like they were floating. Up close the gray both contrasted with some colors of the twigs but also blended in.
My precedent was a log cabin, specifically how they build the corners. They cut slots in the logs so that they fit better. I used this technique in the final iteration so that the twigs would stay together better and make the whole structure stronger.


This is the final iteration:



One aspect of the project I really wanted to enhance was the negative space created in the corners. That way when you look inside the box it's not empty because you can still see the twigs in the corners. You can also see the shadow of the twigs which is very interesting.

This project taught me a lot about negative space and craft. And most importantly, make sure you have plenty of time to finish something before it's due because something is going to go wrong!

Commentary: Critique and Theory Hour

Today we had an interim critique of our “Box for 12 twigs” project. The critique helped me understand how to progress my project to the next stage. An important lesson we have been learning is that we need to simplify ideas. Find out what your project is really about, it’s story, and draw attention to that. Maybe there is a defining quality about your twigs that you want to showcase. In that case, too many extra things in one project can be distracting.

There are a few different ways to draw the focus to a certain aspect. First, contrasting elements can point out a certain color or shape of the twigs. You can use a contrasting color paper or a contrasting texture to play off the element of the twigs.

Scale is also important when creating something. The actual size of the project needs to work with the size of the twigs. This is all about proportion. How do the twigs relate to the rest of the structure?

Its also necessary to have many iterations of your idea. If you have a new thought of how to make it, make a new one. Keep making new models because you’ll have the best project you can possibly make at the end.

Also today we had a guest speaker during theory hour. An architect named John Lynn discussed sustainability and the Architecture 2030 challenge. His view is that global warming is taking place and if humans aren’t causing it, we certainly are helping it. He compared the human race to a storm that isn’t going away. He is not the only architect that is concerned about sustainability.

Architecture 2030 is an organization created by architect Edward Mazria. Its goal is to enlighten all designers and builders about the global warming crisis, and that by 2030 we need to end the use of carbon products completely. So much energy is used to create carbon products, so we need to figure out how to build without wasting our resources.

It’s important to have the future in mind whenever we are building. Will people still be able to use this structure efficiently in 100 years? We can’t just build things to the standards of today.

There are even LEED certified buildings in Greensboro. The Proximity Hotel and the Weaver Cooke headquarters were built using sustainable techniques. It’s great that this cause is spreading so rapidly around the country. More and more people are becoming aware of how they affect the environment. Now people are discovering how they can take better care of planet.

Precedent

Without even realizing it, the box I've created for my twigs is reminiscent of a log cabin. The twigs and ledges stick out on the corners like in a log cabin.

From observing this image of how the corners of log cabins are put together, its helped me understand my project better. Maybe I can implement the way the logs are carved out to create a slot for the log on top of it.

Image source: Donaldson Log Homes

A Place for a Leaf

Our first project in Studio was to create a place for a leaf using only paper. I wanted to create something that would surround and protect the leaf on all four sides. I also wanted to include the theme of sustainability. Therefore, the structure supports itself with the legs. That way it doesn't require a base or need to lay flat on the ground.


I've included scans of my first sketches and drawings for the project. You can see how my idea progressed into the finished product.


Also, this photo shows some of my earlier models. They show how my project evolved and how it changed from my first idea.