SKETCH PROBLEM 3: Improvisational Shelter Part II _ Duet
Assigned: April 12, 2023
Due: Pinup, April 21, 2023 (in studio or TBA)
Desk Crits: 4.17.23, 4.19.23
Above Image is Sunset Bay to Shore Acres State Park, Google Earth Photo, May 2, 2015
OBJECTIVES:
Continuing with the same scenario as in Sketch Problem 1. Assume that you are beginning to make preparations for a longer term stay of an uncertain time length. Develop two household units. Each one is to be a 300 square foot fabric structure for four to six overnight guests. Your may continue to explore further the structures you’ve developed in Sketch Problem 1. Or, you are free to begin an entirely new scheme. At least one of the two units should be explored in physical modeling form. The second unit can either be explored in physical modeling form or part of a computer rendered or otherwise illustrated 3D depiction of both units together. We will increasingly begin to move towards computer modeled descriptions as the spring quarter progresses. Multi-model forms of visualization (thumb nail sketching and computer modeling) are encouraged.
Each unit’s physical transformation from a collapsed structure to a fully deployed structure should be studied in some detail with respect to the joint connections between framing elements. For this exercise, continue to work with stretch materials. In addition, work abstractly working with the interoperability of building components. That is, it’s more useful to consider how they may move rather than the specific materials that they are made from at this stage.
Make a preliminary proposal for how the two units would be deployed at one of the state park sites. However, to simplify this sketch problem, place the building on the site by referencing an aerial photo or plan view only. We will address more complete 3D modeling and site information in a future exercise. Here are some links to aerial views of both park sites:
Google Earth Sunset Bay State Park Link
Google Earth Shore Acres State Park Link
Within this exercise we also begin to reference established precedents in fabric architecture. See references, including web links, at the bottom of this page for Frei Otto (especially the MOMA exhibit) and other sources.
NARRATIVE:
During the timeframe of this exercise, begin to do some background reflection and reading on the type of forcibly displaced people narrative you would like to explore. You may wish to consult the bibliography for some sources of case studies. Through next week we will engage some discussions on what ideas are beginning to emerge in your thinking.
READING:
- Trieb, Mark and Imbert, Dorothée, “The Art of Social Landscape Design” (use this link), in Modern Landscapes for Living, UC Press E-Books Collection, 1977 (initially published under UC Press). Read pages 107 to 147, and browse pages 148 to 158. This examines the work of Garrett Ekbo for the Farm Security Administration during the migration following the dust bowl environmental disaster of the 1930s. It’s online and free.
- UNHCR Settlement Folio, UNHCR Shelter and Settlement Section, Geneva, Switzerland, March 2016. Browse over these case studies and read at least one in detail. This is an online document.
MATERIALS:
Use stretch or, especially if you wish to start using the sewing machines, non-stretch fabric materials for retraction and unfurling. Use bamboo, balsa wood, small dowels or bendable hard-wire, waxed cord, and hobbyist jewelry connectors. Joanne’s Fabric and Michael’s should still have most of what you need. Some supplies may still be available at the materials desk that we established in studio. The hardware we used for the first sketch problem were all ordered from Amazon. Select the product figure caption in the first sketch problem online description and do a search on Amazon. We will also now begin to engage a more complete review of precedents and computer visualization techniques.
Operable components may include fabric that retracts and unfurls. It may also include rigid materials for controlling retraction and unfurling. Pin-joints, loop fastener joints, membranes with grommets, telescoping tubes, edge clamping joints can facilitate and stabilize movement. See some examples in the “Connection Photos” images below.
CONNECTION DETAIL PHOTOS:
Fig 1: Metallic Eyes or Grommets and Zigzag Rope (Rubb Inc., Earl Mark Photo)
Fig 2: Telescoping Tube with Umbrella-Like Release Button (Rubb Inc., Earl Mark Photo)
Fig 3: Tube in Pocket (Rubb Inc., Earl Mark Photo)
Fig 7: Industrial Zipper (Rubb Inc., Earl Mark Photo)
Fig 8: Hoop Mast (FromApprenticeshop Workshop, Earl Mark Photo)
Fig 9: Goose Neck Joint (Winter Harbor Yacht Club, Earl Mark Photo)
Fig 10: Boat Cleat & Vertical Windlass (Winter Harbor Yacht Club, Earl Mark Photo)
INCLUDE FOR EACH UNIT:
- At least two exits and entrances.
- Operable openings for fresh air and natural light.
- Six places for sleeping.
- Six raised surfaces for dining/writing
- Natural lighting & minimal artificial lighting if any.
- Explicit renderings of four or more states of the collapsible structure from 50% retracted to fully unfurled.
- Applied basic passive solar heating and cooling principles (orientation, direct gain).
- Schematic floor system (optional).
EXCLUDE:
- Washing or WC facilities.
- Slab, flooring or foundation
.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Investigate the structures concurrently in physical modeling form, and through drawing and computer modeling.
- At least one of the two structures should be explored in physical modeling form.
- Explore the structure at anywhere from ¼” up to 1” scale (i.e., ¼” = 1’).
- At least one operable building component should be created minimally at ½” scale (i.e., ½” = 1 foot).
- Primary requirement:
- At least one and optionally two physical prototype alternatives at discretionary scale, hand-made and optionally with CNC fabricated components (e.g,. laser cut or, if you have independent access, 3D printed joints is OK).
- Computer rendering or hand-sketch of plan, section of at least one unit.
- Axonometric or perspective rendering of both units.
- Schematic site plan over arial photo (see Google Earth links above). This should be an abstract placement of two household units. The placement should include consideration of sun direction, wind direction,, drainage, and programmatic adjacencies to site features.
- Secondary requirement:
- Computer rendering or hand-sketch showing plan and one section with ground conditions of at least one of the two units. For 4.21.23, create a printout on two 11” x 17” sheets or greater size.
SCENARIOS:
- Eating/sleeping/meeting.
- Warm day ventilation/cold day or night insulation.
- Full retraction and unfurling of unit.
- Communicating relationships between the units, such as sharing a common social or activity space, a covered passage way between them, a shared amenity (e.g., picnic tables, bench, facing porches)
NOTES:
- Prepare a short outline of four to five key principles for the pinup discussions on 4.21
- Specify in general terms type hardware and materials used (e.g., wood, fabric, pin joints, etc.) rather than specific products. Relate to regional and other precedents. It’s not necessary at this stage to go into type wood, type fabric, etc..
- Help each other with respect to sewing machine use and/or other fabrication tools.
- Help each other with respect to sharing modeling and visualizationtechniques.
ADDITIONAL REFERENCES:
Moma Exhibit o9 the Work of Frei Otto,1972. https://www.moma.org/documents/moma_catalogue_2662_300299029.pdf (download time may be slow)
Common Tension Membrane Fabric Architecture Shapes, https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/6c/21/59/6c21592b9398ef3363cc094d9d3e5a37.jpg
Fabric Architecture Magazine, https://fabricarchitecturemag.com.
Fabric Architecture Magazine Resource Guide, https://fabricarchitecturemag.com/resource-guide/.
Wooden Boat Magazine, https://www.woodenboat.com/.
Serge Ferreri, https://www.sergeferrari.com/.
