studioblock

The theme of the final studio of the undergraduate architecture program this semester is "architecture as infrastructure". To start off the semester, each student was randomly assigned a "box", which was part of a 4"x4"x8" cube (which we called our studioblock). Students were asked to design their component of the studioblock  in order to "house marbles in an innovative way" as well as join their box to their neighbors. Each individual had the option of the degree of interconnectivity they wanted to have with their neighbors. I was very interested in this idea of interconnectivity because in order to create an effective infrastructure a strong connection to internal components and external components of a space are necessary. Below is a picture of the final studioblock:

The studioblock does not have a top or bottom, it is meant to be flipped in anyway and still be compatible to the movement of marbles. The first thing I considered while designing my component of the studioblock was this idea of moving marbles while the exterior can be flipped in multiple directions. I decided to make a series of ramps since ramps work in multiple directions. As the design of my component of the studioblock progressed I maintained the ramp idea, however added on more components. There were two marble sizes given and I wanted a way to filter marbles based on the size. I created a gathering area at one end of box in which only the smaller sized marbles could enter or exit. Once the marble was in the gathering area it had the ability to stay in the gathering area, leave the gathering area or enter a tube that extended around my box. 

I thought the most important issue of this project was my connection to the whole studioblock. I made it a priority to  connect to one of my neighbors, Pauline.  We created a very strong connection so that our components of the studioblock became integrated. We also decided to exchange marbles in order to further the idea of interconnectivity we both wanted to incorporate into our project. 

Below are multiple views of my final model:

Infrastructure deals with components within a building, as well as how the building connects to its surroundings. Connectivity is the key to a strong infrastructural system. As our studio goes to New York and visits our sites this idea of connectivity to other components of the building, to the surroundings, to the community, etc. will be my focus.