Exercise 3

SKETCH PROBLEM 3: Architecture Machine
Assigned: April 19, 2019
Due: Pinup, 5.6.19 in Gerlinger 128
Desk Crits: 4.24.19,  4.29.19, 5.1.19, 5.3.19
NOTE: The due date has been extended to 5.6 and program modestly adjusted due to the addition of Shore Acres State Park.

OVERVIEW

This sketch problem takes into account a more developed architectural program that is specific to a particular community, changes the type of structure under study for temporary contrast, and begins to more completely address the ground and site. In this sketch exercise you are beginning to make preparations for a longer term stay of an uncertain time length. The studio will visit and work with a 2′ contour digital terrain models of the three state park sites. Note: at the time of editing this description and following a field trip, the studio added Shore Acres State Park. The terrain model is not as well vetted. Either a more abstract study of the site is appropriate, or, if time permits, a more detailed digital terrain model will provided.

Sunset Bay State Park Polygon Grid DTM Distant View From Ocean
GIS Kathy Stroud, DTM Earl Mark

Cape Arago State Park Polygon Grid DTM Closeup ViewFrom Ocean
GIS Kathy Stroud, DTM Earl Mark

* Shore Acres State Park: See note above.

A preview of the Digital Terrain Model files are posted in Rhino on aaafileserver/2019-Spring-ARCH484-584-Mark/DTM_contours:

  • aapeAragoDTM.3dm – two digital terrain models including whole site and target area
  • sunsetBay_DTM2ft.3dm – single digital terrain model

OBJECTIVES

Sketch Problems 1 & 2 began with the exploration of fabric materials and the interoperability of building components. They emphasized architectural fabric more directly in structural form. Now, the emphasis is more on rigid structure components, the connection to the ground, a more clearly delineated strategy of placing it on the site and the schematic  layout of a community of sixteen shelters. You should establish roughly five discussion points and one key question that you have regarding your own proposition and that may help to shape the discussion for the mid-review that will follow this exercise.

  1. Develop a 450 sq. ft. collapsible structure based primarily on rigid components with fabric used non-structurally as an exterior skin surface.  Explore paper folding to help discover the kinds of rigid structure transformations possible
  2. Develop the physical connection to the ground or foundation system in relatively schematic form.
  3. Deploy the structure on one of the three sites studied on the field trip to Sunset Bay State Park, Shore Acres State Park and Cape Arago State Park.
  4. Begin to examine schematically, and in plan only, the deployment of a community of 16 shelters.
  5. Based upon your own review of the literature in the bibliography or from other sources start to develop a narrative of a particular group of forcibly displaced people that would form the community.

Materials:

The retraction should be studied with hardware elements and optionally 3D printed components. Operable components should include consideration of fabric connections that help with with retraction and unfurling. Delineate the transformation of joints and/or a kit of parts that can be assembled and disassembled as needed on a periodic basis.

Constraints:

  • The armature itself should fully flatten and collapse.
  • At least two entrances/exits.
  • Operable openings for fresh air, natural light and views.
  • Six places for sleeping.
  • Six writing surfaces and/or one common surface for dining.
  • Daylighting.
  • Minimal artificial lighting.
  • Explicit renderings of building transformation.
  • Passive solar design principles.
  • Consideration of wind, rain and snow.
  • Consideration of environmental impact on habitats and marine conditions.
  • Full collapse in volume.

Exclude:

  • Washing or WC facilities.
  • Kitchen

Requirements:

  • Investigate structure concurrently in physical model form, and through drawing and computer modeling.
  • Requirements:
    • At least one operable and detailed joint minimally at ½” scale (i.e., ½” = 1 foot).
    • At least one physical prototype of the shelter at discretionary model scale, hand-made and optionally with integration of CNC fabricated components.
    • Computer 3D rendering of plan, section and axonometric or perspective rendering.
    • Schematic site plan with placement of single unit, consideration of sun, wind, and programmatic adjacencies.
    • Abstract plan only layout for a community of 16 units.

Optional:

  • Schematic 3D layout of four unit clusters and their spatial or physical connections.

Recommended Readings:

  • UNHCR Settlement Folio (web link): UNHCR Shelter and Settlement Section, Geneva, Switzerland, March 2016
  • On reserve: Helphand, Kenneth, Defiant Gardens: Making Gardens in Wartime, San Antonio: Trinity University Press (2006). (read especially Chapter 5) #
  • Trieb, Mark and Imbert, Dorothée, “The Art of Social Landscape Design” (web link)),  in Modern Landscapes for Living, UC Press E-Books Collection, 1997 (initially published under UC Press). Pages 107 to 158. NOTE: Following the field trip, this article is now highly recommended.

Scenarios:

  • Eating/sleeping/meeting.
  • Warm day ventilation/cold day or night insulation.
  • Light power supply for reading/laptop recharging/night-time activity).

NOTES

  1. Show site conditions in renderings.
  2. Initiate consideration of environmental factors (e.g, orientation, terrain, runoff, wind).
  3. Specify hardware and materials used (e.g., wood, fabric, pin joints, etc.).Relate to regional and other precedents.
  4. Help each other with respect to sewing machine use and, if it is available, 3D printing.
  5. Prepare a short outline of four to five key principles for the pinup discussions on 4.6

EXTRACURRICULAR OPTION

* Develop a method of full retraction into a flattened box that can be transported as flattened cargo.