bridges

here is the concept for the new bridges:


img_1.1 - axon


img_1.2 - plan


img_1.3 - section


img_1.4 - elevation

Thoughts_Miller's Comments

Grid Strategy

• Consider truck loading/unloading in planning driveway
• Consider a utilitarian approach to human circulation versus an anthropocentric approach
• Consider the proportions of the spaces (golden rectangle) in relation to Carrie Furnace buildings
  
• Replicating the ruggedness of the skyline could be kitsch
• Consider the partnership between exhibition and architecture
• Explore potential to redefine museum space through program
• Beware of devaluing the original by copying
• Think in terms of scale
• Respect the furnaces-supporting role of museum
• Metonymic v. Literal

Landscape Strategy

• Modest
• Metonymic interpretation (Gehry) v. authenticity (Serra)
• Re-consider the apparent chaos of the Sanborn maps and recreate that through a rational process
• "Cornucopia" over-simplifies the expression of the past--reduced
• Consider expression or interpretation more thoroughly than just the roof line or shape of plan
• Consider the experience of the user
• raw confrontation
• keeping real chaos
• beware of over-interpretation/abstraction
• Consider the users reaction to the weight and span of steel--confrontation
• Deflection (?)
  
• Beware of corporatization (safe and nice buildings)
• Design parking in relation to the museum
• Design program in relation to museum form--maintain shape and energy
• Consider how the industrial process can influence your design
• Allow for users to interpret space
  

Thoughts_Site Mapping

following our last review, we decided to take a step back and do some site mappings to solidify some of our inclinations about siting and form. we were particularly interested in three components:

1. building heights - the scale of the buildings that existed on the site dictated its experience
2. historic palimpsest - the 'historic density' in various areas of the site
3. rail lines - these lines dictate the movement of goods throughout the site

we used a vertical displacement mesh to map the building heights and historic density. we then extruded all the rail lines and used these to cut the two meshes.


img_1.1 - the residual of the rail lines. high points indicate where rail lines were closely tied to a manufacturing process.


img_1.2 - the same map as above with the building height and historic density meshes shown

Thoughts_3D Grid

Here are some quick studies developed using a three dimensional grid; one axis corresponds to the sharp edges of the historical buildings (x-axis), another begins straight, but molds itself to the curved bank of the river (y-axis), and the last responds both to the monumental scale of the Carrie Furnace buildings and to the scale of a human body (z-axis). The x and y axis are tubular interlocking splines and z axis is a series of rectangular planes engulfing the entire historical Carrie Furnace site. The study may lead to some architectural elements as it is further refined, but for now, the scale of the grid overpowers the program intensely.



1.1_view from ground plane through grid


1.2_grid as viewed from above, looking in the direction of the Carrie Furnace

Thoughts_Structure as an Educator

This model is the product of an exploration of steel components based on my steel research thus far. Here is my attempt at combining a set of steel produced pieces into what could be considered a complete structural system. I can imagine the bronze wire to be bent steel tubing, the spaghetti to be tension cables (perhaps supporting glass and steel panels or corrugated steel), and the cardboard to represent more traditional steel elements (beams, gusset plates). My goal was to harmonize a series of steel components through an intricate array of connections including welds, rivets, and machined connectors. I feel it would be interesting to use the structure of the museum itself to eclectically display a variety of steel uses throughout the material's existence, and thus educate the visitor in an architectural sense and at the same time use this idea to "customize" construction.

Thoughts_Ribs + Ribbons

after some initial pasta charetting (see nate's post), i have been investigating way to redefine the role that steel can act as structure or as skin, primarily in conjunction with nate and jill. the idea is to have it act as both in the form of ribbons that sweep across the building, sometimes acting as skin/wall, sometimes allowing for controlled penetration of light, sometimes acting as primary structure for curtain wall. at this point, we are primarily focusing on refining this system and finalizing a general form, always keeping program and siting in the back of our minds. we should quickly be able to refine program once this system has been further refined. below are some quick formz models based on earlier pasta models.

scheme 1

here is a quick study of the potential of swept ribs. the space between the ribs would allow for the penetration of light. this approach could be further refined to more carefully control the entry of light: in areas, the ribs could touch so that no light could penetrate (like in an auditorium).


img_1.0 - largely transparent


img_1.1 - largely opaque

scheme 2

here, the ribs twist to accomplish various functions. at their start (at the narrow end of the structure, they act as traditional lap siding. at the midpoint, they function as above to support clerestory windows. at their terminus, they are perpendicular to the space to act as the primary support in a curtain wall system. see jill's post for siting.


img_2.0 - plan


img_2.1 - front elevation


img_2.2 - perspective


img_2.3 - aerial perspective

Thoughts_Skin--Curtain Wall--Structure [Pasta]

In thinking of exploring the innovative use of steel, first I considered the conventional use and perception of steel as a rigid, straight, and pre-fabricated/standardized material. In order to redefine steel as a material-- to show its potential beyond typical use, I then thought of how to create forms in opposition to these notions.

Partially in response to the flow of circulation throughout the old steel mill, seen in the curved rail lines found in old drawings, I began to think of a fluid, curvilinear form that would act as a skin, curtain wall, or even structure of the museum.

Boiled pasta allowed us to experiment freely and revealed the potential of fluid shapes made from sheet steel, tubes, and beams. In these models I explored, overlapping, layering, rolling, folding, and bending the pasta. The images below show the progression of these studies.


IMG 1.1 Curtain Wall / Skin


IMG 1.2 Curtain Wall / Skin


IMG 2.1 Skin


IMG 3.1 Structure / Skin


IMG 3.2 Structure / Skin


IMG 3.3 Structure / Skin


IMG 3.4 Structure / Skin

Thoughts_Pasta Charrette

Two trains of thought began to form after Monday's charrette. Pasta models were the primary focus of the charrette, but the time was also used to express ideas and preconceptions of the project through sketches, cardboard models, wire models, and digital models. As the charrette went on, Mike and I began to see our ideas pointing in the same direction and we began to work on a scheme together. We initially have taken a loosely form follows function approach--more developments on that to come soon. The images below are some of the models that resulted from my charretting efforts on Monday and have led to the new developments soon to be posted.

1-3/4 view of pasta model

2-Interior view of pasta model

3-Elevation of pasta model

4-Top of pasta model

5-Skin test, view 1

6-Skin test, view 2

Thoughts_Charette

After the charette on Monday, the group proceeded to pursue two schemes. The images below show the process of the scheme developed by Jason, Nate, and I. The layout began from the historical plan of railroads and transportation within the site. The main inward line to the site was indentified as a major axis and studied as a point of entry into the project. The sketch below shows the cornucopia, or rounded horn, type shape that was revealed from the railroad lines branching off this main axis. The orange shows intial ideas on circulation with the program branching off towards the water.

1- Sketch

In a form Z model, Jason began to explore the idea of a series of ribbons that ran along these railroad lines from the main axis and revealed the structural and flexibility capabilities of steel. It stemmed from the steel functioning as a solid wall, ceiling, and curtain wall frame, and the twisting and evolving between forms. The images below show the possibilities this ribbon forms and the spaces that can be formed within and between. It is a way to integrate the innovativeness of steel with the historical rectilinear forms and structure.

2- Sketch showing ribbon forms

3- Elevation sketch based on above plan

4- Aluminum foil model

5- Aluminum foil model