Studio review 6.9.06

The first animation image shows all three mappings juxtaposed; the second animation image omits the air temperature change.

more maps

I am in the process of sorting through information and becoming familiar with the capabilities of Form Z. The end goal is to create a layering map composed of carbon emission level, air temperature, and the rising sea levels. I am making first attempts at the three mentioned.

The first two images illustrate the level of carbon emissions by country using an image extraction. The second image looked at the model in elevation.

The second two images illustrate the global air temperature distribution. The mapping still lacks some clarity but I used it to begin experiementing with how the information might become 3D by manipulating the mesh as shown in the elevation below.
The mapping that includes the sea level rise is illustrated in the previous post. I am still working out the best way to portray such information.

I am attempting to analyze these various mapping techniques and additional animation techniques in order to construct the final maptation. It is still unclear to me at this point what that might look like once the layers begin to work with one another. I have also been looking at all 2D information maps- the question now is what elements can be visually shown through animation? How do the various layers work with one another?

in progress

I'm working on mapping the sea level change and the amount of land difference. The blue map to the right is a standard base map that was found by the class. However, it fails to match up with the map I am creating using images from Flood Map pieced together. I'm working on a better way to get the detail I need without tracing around every inch of land. The red shows the difference in a 15 meter sea level rise.

make it move

first animation attempts...let's see what formZ can do...

studio culture

The SUMO is definitely a success! It worked great to give us a means of easily communicating with the professor. The one on one conferences went well using Vyew. I still have a few things to figure out with the program but overall it is extremely easy to use and allowed the professor to easily communicate with me. The downside is the lack of knowing what the rest of the studio is working on. It would be great if we could be a part of the critiques or even see what is being critique. Unlike a regular studio, I have little knowledge of what everyone else is working towards.

I'm still struggling to sort through a vast amount of information for my mapping. I have all kinds of research, maps, and suggestions on what to do but am really struggling with what that means right now. The challenge is for a four dimension map at a global scale but most things that I want to map are in too great of a detail for such a map or present a need to be mapped at a greater detail. It is proving to be extremely difficult to map such a vast amount of information on one file. On top of informational difficulties, I have had a lot of trouble working with Illustrator and FormZ and getting the base files into the programs in order to manipulate them. I need a giant computer screen where I can fit the whole globe on it at one time and work with each piece little by little. There's got to be an easier way than to piece each one together.

mapping: next step

Transportation is likely to remain the key element of accessibility, despite advances in telecommunications. It is also a major source of global pollutants, and the transport sector contributes three gases of particular concern: carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. It accounts for 21 percent of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Carbon dioxide emissions are forcasted to increase by 92 percent between the years of 1990 and 2020. Excessive vehicle use is one of the leading causes of air pollution from transportation.

This could clearly be mapped by analyzing the emission levels of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Information would be taken from maps similar to the ones below.

Emission Animation Test on FormZ

megalithic monuments

Constructed during the Neolithic period, or New Stone Age, megalithic monuments are characterized by huge stone slabs of great size. They were mostly concentrated in Western Europe and built for astronomical and spiritual reasons. There are four common types of megaliths: the menhir, or single standing stone; menhirs set in a circle; a row of menhirs; or a dolmen, or burial chamber or chamber tomb, usually covered with earth mounds.

The Megalithic Portal has a file that can be opened in Google Earth to illustrate the location of all megalithic monuments.

The most famous neolithic monument, Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, was constructed from 2750 BC to 1500 BC. Built in several phases, it is a series of concentric rings, utilizing post and lintel. In addition, it consists of a number of uprights, sacred "blue" stones, and a circle of movable "marker stones" set in pits. There is a landscaped trench on the exterior of the rings. Similar to other megalithic structures, the work was executed through highly accurate engineering and by utilizing techniques for mass transportation from far distances.


Weighing in at 45 tons each, the standing stones are the weight of a semi-trailer truck. They are around 22 feet in height or about the height of two field goal posts stacked atop one another. Looking at the plan below, the layout has a centralized plan with the uprights set on an axis. The form successfully provides an enclosure yet with open space, enabling one to experience the landscape from the interior.

There are over 40,000 megalithic structures around Europe. Theories have been developed that link the placement of megalithic forms with the fear of floods from the gods. It has been used to explain their sudden birth, widespread development, and their relationship to the sea. Such a theory is further discussed on this site.

The knowledge as a whole about the history, development, and forms used in megalithic structures is directly relevant to megastructures today. How might a megalithic structure look in today's world? What characteristics would both the form of the Neolithic Age and the form of today share?