A Real Grip On Making

The past week brought great news as the city has agreed to fund all the ground work we have designed. Thanks to the diligence of our ground crew, John and Jeff, our information and options were well organized and presented which resulted in the swaying of the city. Along with the support of the city, a local steel company has offered to donate all the steel we would need for our structure plus fabrication to a certain degree. So it looks like money will not be an issue. What is going to be an issue, rather, is time. As we speak, we are attempting to fabricate a full scale mock up of the parametrically paneled funnel. After attaching just the bottom ring about ten minutes ago, I realize what kind of work we would be in for. I think the mock up is a valuable tool in informing us of both the work it will require to make the real thing and also in giving the funnel a sense of presence that it has not had in the digital world. It will also let us know just how "airy" the canopy will be. By "airy" I mean the amount of negative space which translates into light penetration. After seeing both of these factors, our area of coverage (at least by panels) might change. One thing is sure, and this has held true throughout my undergraduate career, you learn from making. When I made the two mock ups for the previous wooden lamella structure, I learned more in those hours than all the time previously spent in books and on the computer. Tonight was no different while I assembled the panels. The rest of this mock up will be a valuable lesson for our whole class I think.

Broken Ground

Well, as of yesterday (March 3rd, 2008) we have officially begun construction on the Clemson site. I have to say that it was not easy to make it to that point, and we still have numerous conflicts to resolve. After much toil and trouble in dealing with the canopy over the stage, we voted and decided to extend the coverage past the side walk and over most of the groundwork. By doing so, we hope to mediate more effectively between the different aspects of the site. By this I mean that we have tried to create a more physical correlation and organization of spectator and performer across the through-path which bisects it. Our system will be a series of vertical members placed strategically across the site (with regards to issues of view, congregation, and safety) which are connected above by a network of cabling from which the parametric fabrik system will be suspended. By doing this, we create a hierarchy of significance between the canopy and the structure, the canopy being the main focal point, where as before, the two systems seemed to compete. An issue that is still at hand is the materiality of the vertical members. Wood would be ideal from a visually tactile sensibility while steel would prove to be the more practical option considering our time frame. It is easier to resist moment forces created by our network and fabrik load with steel than with wood. This means the wood would need to be larger in girth and footed with much more reinforcement. This is a system that need be resolved by…well, today actually.

The signage aspect is being geared now primarily towards construction signs to inform the community of our intentions and design proposal. While being on the site working for just one day we were approached several times by park users. With the implementation of the construction signs, the community will be able to make visual associations with the space more easily. To expound upon the community interest, I see this site as a hub of parental and child activity. We should have every opportunity to receive feedback and reach out with our sustainable efforts. Throughout the process so far, reminding myself that we are stewards has been the most beneficial tool in staying on track (both in mind and action). After being on site for one day that attitude has been firmly reinstated.