Sketch Problem 4

DRAFT. 

SKETCH PROBLEM 4: An Architecture Machine _ Octet
Assigned: April 21, 2023
Desk Crits: 4.24.23,  4.28.23

Note: we will have a full scale mockup workshop in Lawrence 279, 4.26.23, with Michael Geffel and his terminal landscape architecture studio and with Nancy Cheng at 1 pm on 4.26.23 in 231 Lawrence.

Above image,  3D overview of Sunset Bay State Park and Shore Acres State Park, prepared with Google Terrain and Sketchup, 4.20.22

This sketch problem takes into account a more developed architectural program that may begin to relate it to a particular community narrative. It changes the type of structure under study for a temporary contrast with the more predominantly structural fabric based approaches we’ve explored thus far. It begins to more completely address ground and site. In this sketch exercise you are beginning to make preparations for a longer term residential stay of up to 6 months. An abstract study of a site is appropriate, either Sunset Bay State Park or Shore Acres State Park. You do not need to prepare a full site digital terrain model for this exercise. It will be the something we incorporate in Sketch Problem 5. However, you should begin to consider some of the landscape features on your site, and potentially begin to work with the digital terrain models presented previously.

Note that there’s no pinup for this exercise. We will transition to a more complete desk crit and pinup sequence in the following exercise. You may integrate this exercise with your previous modeling sequence or break away at your discretion.

OBJECTIVES

Sketch Problems 1 & 3 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 to incorporate 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 8 shelters and one service structure appropriate to your narrative (e.g, common kitchen, yoga structure, etc.). You should establish roughly five discussion points and one key question that you have regarding your own proposition and that may help to shape your direction. This will become the kernel for considering ideas that may be relevant later on for the mid-review.

  1. Develop a 450 sq. ft. collapsible structure based primarily on rigid components with fabric used non-structurally as an exterior skin surface.  You may wish to explore paper folding to help discover the kinds of rigid structure transformations possible (see reference to Jackson).
  2. Develop the physical connection to the ground or foundation system in relatively schematic form.
  3. Deploy the structure on one of the two sites studied on the field trip, either Sunset Bay State Park or Shore Acres State Park.
  4. Begin to examine schematically, and in plan only, the deployment of a community of 8 shelters.
  5. Based upon your own review of the literature in the bibliography or from other sources continue to develop a narrative of a particular group of forcibly displaced people that would form the community and prepare to discuss it next week.

TERRAIN MODELS

These are rough 3D site digital terrain models (DTM) developed with the use of Sketchup, Google Terrain and Rhino. They are available to be distributed directly and immediately in studio. The details will be sent separately. More precise DTM models based upon higher resolution contour information has already been prepared and presented to the studio. However, the Google Terrain models are lighter weight and may be easier to work at a schematic level appropriate to the current exercise. They are placed on the UO course server (\\files.uoregon.edu\courses) for the studio, and under the folder: ARCH484_584_31167_SPRING2023\Shared_Data\GoogleTerrain_RhinoDTMFiles.

Fig 1. Sunset Bay State Park 3D model prepared with Google Terrain, Sketchup, and Rhino  4.20.23.


Fig2. Shore Acres State Park 3D model prepared with Google Terrain, Sketchup, and Rhino 4.20.23.

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. The joints need not be physical look-alike models of the real joint, but rather any rough hardware device that has similar degrees of freedom or movement. 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 flatten and collapse as much as possible.
  • 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 a rare occasional 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.
  • Media:
    • At least one operable and abstractly constructed joint minimally at ½” scale (i.e., ½” = 1 foot). This can be based upon a component you find in a hardware store, or devise with rough materials.
    • 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 8 units and a service structure.

OPTIONAL

  • Schematic 3D layout of  two four unit clusters with direct spatial or physical connections.

REMINDER OF READINGS

  • Jackson, Paul, Folding Techniques for Designers, Second Edition, Quercus Publishing, 2022 (Chapter 1 will be placed in the course server on 4.21 under fair use restricted access _ no redistribution outside the studio. In addition, an online reserve copy of the full book has been requested by the UO Design Library with an uncertain ETA. You will receive an update when it has arrived.)
  •  Helphand, Kenneth, Defiant Gardens: Making Gardens in Wartime, San Antonio: Trinity University Press (2006). (read especially Chapter 5) #, Optional, Will be placed on reserve, UO Design Library:
  • UNHCR Settlement Folio (web link): UNHCR Shelter and Settlement Section, Geneva, Switzerland, March 2016,  Required, see Exercise 3.
  • 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.  Required see Exercise 3.

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 abstractly 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, either through catalog photos or schematic sketches.
  4. Help each other with respect to sewing and other modeling techniques, and, if it is available, 3D printing.
  5. Prepare a short outline of four to five key principles for the desk crit discussions on 4.26.

EXTRACURRICULAR OPTION

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