Moving to full scale

Enjoyable studio today...good to finally see our ideas becoming more tangible and see the group as a whole embracing the design. I think we worked well with different tasks and have a good idea of what needs to get done for Friday. I'm interested to see and experiment with the CNC router and to bring our design to reality.

for the common cause

While our technological communication is improving, are we loosing the communication amongst ourselves? I'm still having a few minor issues with the blog postings looking completely different once they publish but overall its fairly easy to post up our ideas and process. I think the addition of our own personal scanner in studio could be helpful in regards to quick sketches although the view from the video camera closely resembles that of the eye.

In regards to the studio project, I think the most difficult challenge to us right now is working together as a group of ten. Its been a tough coming off of several semesters of group projects to always stay motivated despite surrender most of your own ideas. Ultimately decisions have to be made and for each person they would be slightly different. The battle become dealing with these different ideas and choosing with which ones to proceed. The advantage is a greater pool of ideas; the disadvantage is the lack of an ultimate leader and the lack of critical design work to contribute around the table. I'm looking forward to be able to explore and develop individual ideas again, aided by the critiques of others but ultimately taking ownership in the design.

communication from elsewhere

Since I feel like my shoes were switched today, I wanted to comment on the communication with the studio while being away. Since I was not in Clemson this afternoon, I logged in to Skype to be a part of the class chatroom and to be able to interact with the class discussion. I was very sucessful in being able to hear the discussion, people's comments, and be able to communicate via chat when clarification was needed. It is extremely easy to just call in and view what's going on and be able to offer comments and critiques. I had no problem hearing my classmates and only slight difficulties hearing the group. At times the talk seemed rather distant, but once video was used it seemed much more interactive, like I was a part of the class to offer my opinion and understanding in what direction the design was headed. I think overall the communication is going very well. I would agree with several comments today that it has been challenging to work in a group this past week. Its always challenging with multiple strong minds and good ideas are thrown into one mix.

To save the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea, one of the world's cultural and ecological treasures, is in danger of near extinction as the water level continues to drop and the evaporation levels exceed the water flow into the sea. As the saltiest body of water in the world at 1,371 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth and draws large quantities of tourists to its enriching waters. The mineral industry alone employs 35,000 people yet is responsible for 25% to 30% of the annual drop in water level.

In the past 19 years, the evaporation has resulted in 3/4 mile recession and could recede an additional kilometer in the next 50 years. The water level has dropped by 80 feet in the last 50 years as the sea has shrunk by more than one third of its original size. Not only is this drastic change affecting the way people interact, but it is destroying valuable wildlife and creating hundreds of sinkholes, threatening to collapse the built civilization. The problem lies in the decrease of water coming from the Jordan River due to water being diverted to drinking water and agriculture. The sea does not lie in danger of completely disappearing due to the salt content in the water but it could drop an additional 434 feet.

The governments of Israel and Jordan have begun to work with Norman Foster on a $3 million project to replenish the Dead Sea by creating a series of canals that would draw water from the Red Sea into the Dead Sea from the Gulf of Aqaba. The efforts are to begin by investigating the feasibility of the project. One question remains concerning the mixture of the two types of water. The distance of such canals would be the same distance as part of the state of Florida. This would be a big undertaking on Foster as he is beginning to take the lead on several large scale projects.













This project shows the mega effects of a new system of canals and the impact of the paths of water integrating into the landscape. The land is being displaced in order to encourage water displacement, a positive and negative concept. In similar case studies, such as the cities of Boston and Venice, the water infiltration within the city has wonderous effects and adds to the character and culture of the development. If the use of manmade water canals are saving natural landmarks facing extinction, what are the possibilities for utilizing manmade water canals? How can water integrate with the landscape? How does it affect and in turn be affected by the displacement of the land?

proposal: structure

With an emphasis on structure, this proposal begins with two identical wooden ribs with PVC pipes for horizontal support and stability. The ribs would be secured 2'-6" apart from one another, enabling easy clearance through a door frame. Technology such as the CNC router would allow for a unique design in the contours of the ribs to be suit the desired body position. The body would be supported by elastic bands, providing both comfort and flexibility of the space occupant. This is shown in the illustration below.

The design also allows for the placement of other elements such as the A/V equipment to include a monitor screen and computer box and an acoustically sound material on the sides of the station to provide a sense of enclosure and to absorb sound. The proposal includes a translucent, flexible material for easy entry and access to the structure as well as ease of transportation. The base of the design includes a set of wheels behind the seat to allow the structure to be rocked back and rolled to other locations. A breakdown of the structure is shown below.

thoughts on structure

Vinnie and I began by brainstorming characteristics of mobility in regards to structure. To what extent will our structure be mobile?

Important considerations:
- weight of the material
- strength of connections
- level of assembly / complexity of structure
- is it dynamic?
- allowance for attachments- internal and external

Based on these ideas, we looked at several case studies that incorporated a variety of materials and forms. In the project by Studio 80 Tea Room the materials were permeable in the sense that the walls were not solid. Upon first glance, it resembles elastic stretched across the frame. Although the project was constructed of bamboo, we explored the possibility of using elastic in this type of construction. As a flexible and opaque material, elastic enables the form to remain lightweight but take on various forms. Study models are shown below.
Based upon the same principles as the elastic material, we also explored the possibility of using fabric within the structure after viewing the project Floating Pavillion by Maki & Associates. The material has the ability to act as a skin when applied to a framework and possesses a similar degree of flexibility as elastic.
We are proposing to meet together with the other groups to discuss the interaction between the five elements.

friday friday friday

The group discussion today was much more effective. It allowed for more interaction and easier communication. The video connection is much more personal and easier to follow. I'm making progress with the blogs as we learn how to use them more effectively. I look forward to exploring the possibilities for our communicative space. We have already thrown out a variety of brainstorming ideas on possible materials based on the weight of the material, the possibilities for connections, and the method of assembly. The act of construction will really promote teamwork and interaction outside of just the computer screen.