Monday, December 08, 2008
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Monday, July 09, 2007
Case Studies
Santa Maria Del Mar Cathedral
The visual weight of Santa Maria Del Mar is immediately apparent upon entering, becoming a testament of time. The repetition of ribbed vaulting throughout the cathedral define the architecture.
The visual weight of Santa Maria Del Mar is immediately apparent upon entering, becoming a testament of time. The repetition of ribbed vaulting throughout the cathedral define the architecture.
Shadehouse
The Shadehouse is interesting because of its varying layers of context between the superstructure, and the trees inside. A figure offers a perspective of the visual impact from within. Sunlight and visibility become key elements in this study.
The Shadehouse is interesting because of its varying layers of context between the superstructure, and the trees inside. A figure offers a perspective of the visual impact from within. Sunlight and visibility become key elements in this study.
Barcelona Pavilion
This case study is focused on the impact of simple rectilinear elements combined with varying opacities in any given space. One begins to analyze the degree of openness versus enclosure, and to what extent walls are needed to satisfy that objective.
This case study is focused on the impact of simple rectilinear elements combined with varying opacities in any given space. One begins to analyze the degree of openness versus enclosure, and to what extent walls are needed to satisfy that objective.
Park Guell
Antonio Gaudi was known for imitating forms from nature and imposing them into his architecture. This study draws from elements in the park that have distinct similarities in form, trying to gather an understanding of his construction technique, and in turn, rationalizing such modes.
Antonio Gaudi was known for imitating forms from nature and imposing them into his architecture. This study draws from elements in the park that have distinct similarities in form, trying to gather an understanding of his construction technique, and in turn, rationalizing such modes.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Solar Molecules
Through the process of studying solar energy, its absorption and irradiance on the earth’s surface as a formal investigation, I’ve begun to define global areas for which to make architectural propositions. In the beginning phase of mapping this invisible condition, I gathered base maps from which to interpret data. This information was then put into a 3D modeling program to explore the limits that such a condition could create. Surfaces were created from both solar absorption and irradiated energy, now giving form to the map in three dimensions. I kept my focus on the belt of energy flowing through the equator, and noticed a contrast developing between the two surfaces from which I created new sites to develop on that I call transmission archipelagos.
I chose to address the issue of energy conservation and sustainability. Moving forward with this idea I’ve chosen to use the new transmission archipelagos I’ve created to act as Megastations for gathering and converting solar energy and transmitting that energy to specific locations across the globe.
My research has shown me that energy consumption is predominant (compared to the rest of the world) in the United States, China, and other areas throughout Europe. Through my mapping I’ve noticed that a lot of the sun’s energy coming into our atmosphere lands in areas where little energy is being consumed, therefore I propose distributing energy collected in these areas to areas where large consumption is taking place. The final solar mapping image displays this information for us visually.
After defining the site I moved forward to investigate ways to effectively define my proposal and even the context that it would occupy. I first thought of forms able to be occupied in the water in areas located within the transmission archipelagos, but the idea seemed to deviate from the research I had done. I then chose to take the archipelagos I created and move them upward into the sky, allowing them to be suspended high in the air in the clouds, and further. Based on some of the research I had reviewed on projects such as Buckminister Fuller’s Cloud nine and the Matrioshka Brain, I became intrigued with suspended and free-floating architecture. Fuller’s floating geodesic domes act as large hot-air balloons, being suspended in the air and tethered to an area on the ground. He calculated that the structure on the outside would weigh approximately one thousandth the amount of air trapped inside the dome. As the temperature inside is raised, it creates a lifting effect that makes the form buoyant. Another article I reviewed discusses harnessing wind power by tossing blimp-like structures in the air, or tethered windmills in the jet stream. These become intriguing to me because it brings rise to the complexity of air streams and the various possibilities of occupying our atmosphere.
Moving forward with the design of my proposal, I envisioned the archipelagos as a multitude of objects defining the entire form of the transmission archipelagos from the inside out, like a point cloud. These objects I now form are spherical in shape move around freely within the transmission archipelagos, continuously moving.
Since the objects are constantly moving, the surfaces remain in constant contact with the sun’s rays. Photovoltaic technology will benefit from this and the surface of the newly formed solar molecules will be covered with photovoltaic panels, becoming Mega photovoltaic farms. Energy gathered from the surfaces will be directed to its core, where it will be converted into microwaves and transmitted to microwave stations on the earth’s surface, where it will then be converted back into usable electricity.
The spherical form takes advantage of the energy both absorbed and irradiated back into the atmosphere in the site. The “solar molecules” appear as cloud-like forms across the sky, continuing its language across the earth. Being that the solar molecules are not bounded by a mesh or type of netting, I imagine them having magnetic properties, maintaining an attraction that keeps them grouped.
I chose to address the issue of energy conservation and sustainability. Moving forward with this idea I’ve chosen to use the new transmission archipelagos I’ve created to act as Megastations for gathering and converting solar energy and transmitting that energy to specific locations across the globe.
My research has shown me that energy consumption is predominant (compared to the rest of the world) in the United States, China, and other areas throughout Europe. Through my mapping I’ve noticed that a lot of the sun’s energy coming into our atmosphere lands in areas where little energy is being consumed, therefore I propose distributing energy collected in these areas to areas where large consumption is taking place. The final solar mapping image displays this information for us visually.
After defining the site I moved forward to investigate ways to effectively define my proposal and even the context that it would occupy. I first thought of forms able to be occupied in the water in areas located within the transmission archipelagos, but the idea seemed to deviate from the research I had done. I then chose to take the archipelagos I created and move them upward into the sky, allowing them to be suspended high in the air in the clouds, and further. Based on some of the research I had reviewed on projects such as Buckminister Fuller’s Cloud nine and the Matrioshka Brain, I became intrigued with suspended and free-floating architecture. Fuller’s floating geodesic domes act as large hot-air balloons, being suspended in the air and tethered to an area on the ground. He calculated that the structure on the outside would weigh approximately one thousandth the amount of air trapped inside the dome. As the temperature inside is raised, it creates a lifting effect that makes the form buoyant. Another article I reviewed discusses harnessing wind power by tossing blimp-like structures in the air, or tethered windmills in the jet stream. These become intriguing to me because it brings rise to the complexity of air streams and the various possibilities of occupying our atmosphere.Moving forward with the design of my proposal, I envisioned the archipelagos as a multitude of objects defining the entire form of the transmission archipelagos from the inside out, like a point cloud. These objects I now form are spherical in shape move around freely within the transmission archipelagos, continuously moving.
Since the objects are constantly moving, the surfaces remain in constant contact with the sun’s rays. Photovoltaic technology will benefit from this and the surface of the newly formed solar molecules will be covered with photovoltaic panels, becoming Mega photovoltaic farms. Energy gathered from the surfaces will be directed to its core, where it will be converted into microwaves and transmitted to microwave stations on the earth’s surface, where it will then be converted back into usable electricity.
The spherical form takes advantage of the energy both absorbed and irradiated back into the atmosphere in the site. The “solar molecules” appear as cloud-like forms across the sky, continuing its language across the earth. Being that the solar molecules are not bounded by a mesh or type of netting, I imagine them having magnetic properties, maintaining an attraction that keeps them grouped.
all original illustrations and models
Monday, December 04, 2006
image progess
I am focusing my efforts on models and images now. I've been able to define the space of the transmission clouds within the interior almost as a point cloud. Now, instead of an object with only the exterior surface defined, the form is created from the inside-out. These free-floating objects react as molecules do and move around inside the cloud undisturbed. Each spherical object is clad with solar panels, creating the solar farms as its skin.
inside trasmission archipelago
Detail 
Scaled against a Boeing 767
inside trasmission archipelago
Detail 
Scaled against a Boeing 767
Monday, November 20, 2006
Reaching for the Sun
Proposal
My research on solar activity on the earth's surface which also correllates with the atmospheric temperature, health issues such as skin conditions, and land surface conditions around the globe. My research has led me to develop new land formations which I call Transmission Archipelagos. I propose that these new typologies respond to energy conservation as well as provide some type of shade for areas where heat can be unbearable and land is dry. In order for these new typologies to maximize their efficiency and not collide with other programs in existing cities and countries, they will occupy the vertical atmospheric environment.
Since these archipelagos will be floating, I have to take into account the size of their shadow created according to their height above the earth's surface, making sure that sunlight is still able to reach the earth's surface in ways to feed the vegetation.
Program
1. Photovoltaic farms
2. Transmit and receive
3. Sun shade device
The new forms created will use warm air streams to help stay aloft, like hot air balloons. The skin of these forms will be animated in such a way that it responds to the angle of the sun and follows its path as the day moves from morning to night- a hyperbody constantly changing. The skin, I propose, will utilize photovoltaic technology to gather the sun's energy and convert it into usuable electricity. Once converted, energy travels to the nearest transmitting device on the transmission archipelago, then the energy is transferred via radiowaves or microwaves to receiving stations at ground level.
The new floating surface designed to collect energy will also serve as shading devices, lowering temperature and the amount of UV rays that reach the earth's surface. The only problem with this idea, as indicated in the idea of anti-sun umbrellas, is that sunlight is vital to all life and therefore should not be completely blocked from inhabitants below. I either think the surface style being translucent might be a solution, or the "smart surface" be controlled by satellite to open like blinds to let sunlight pass through.
The Site
The site for my architectural propositions are located in the boundaries of the Transmission Archipelagos
original illustrations
My research on solar activity on the earth's surface which also correllates with the atmospheric temperature, health issues such as skin conditions, and land surface conditions around the globe. My research has led me to develop new land formations which I call Transmission Archipelagos. I propose that these new typologies respond to energy conservation as well as provide some type of shade for areas where heat can be unbearable and land is dry. In order for these new typologies to maximize their efficiency and not collide with other programs in existing cities and countries, they will occupy the vertical atmospheric environment.
Since these archipelagos will be floating, I have to take into account the size of their shadow created according to their height above the earth's surface, making sure that sunlight is still able to reach the earth's surface in ways to feed the vegetation.
Program
1. Photovoltaic farms
2. Transmit and receive
3. Sun shade device
The new forms created will use warm air streams to help stay aloft, like hot air balloons. The skin of these forms will be animated in such a way that it responds to the angle of the sun and follows its path as the day moves from morning to night- a hyperbody constantly changing. The skin, I propose, will utilize photovoltaic technology to gather the sun's energy and convert it into usuable electricity. Once converted, energy travels to the nearest transmitting device on the transmission archipelago, then the energy is transferred via radiowaves or microwaves to receiving stations at ground level.
The new floating surface designed to collect energy will also serve as shading devices, lowering temperature and the amount of UV rays that reach the earth's surface. The only problem with this idea, as indicated in the idea of anti-sun umbrellas, is that sunlight is vital to all life and therefore should not be completely blocked from inhabitants below. I either think the surface style being translucent might be a solution, or the "smart surface" be controlled by satellite to open like blinds to let sunlight pass through.
The Site
The site for my architectural propositions are located in the boundaries of the Transmission Archipelagos
Conceptual images of floating transmission archipelagos
original illustrations
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
developing form
To adhere to the ideas I've been moving forward with, I've decided to use previous forms to derive my first architectural conception. The form was creating using the lines from the transmission archipelago that lies over the northern tip of Africa. More forms would be produced in this similar manor and would be located all along the globe in conjunction with transmission archipelagos. The forms are free-floating, with the surface clad in solar panels. I see the skin of this form acting as a solar envelope, with progam spaces underneath. I plan to use my mapping section to strategically define my program spaces within the interior
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