3D UNIT VII: Structures
Building Bridges --To gain further experience with a vocabulary of points, lines,
and planes as applied to three dimensional form. --To gain experience working with functional requirements and
contextual factors. --To understand the metaphorical, historical, and cross-cultural
significance of bridges. Project References --Bridge Basics: http://www.buildingtechnology.com/bcba/bridges/basics.htm --Bridge Terminology: http://www.buildingtechnology.com/bcba/bridges/termsBrg.htm --Truss Designs: http://bellnet.tamu.edu/res_grid/trussb/designs.htm --Build a Bridge: http://www.edfac.usyd.edu.au/staff/fletcher/Files/Bridge_truss_project.html --Hawkes, Nigel, Structures: The Way Things Are Built (New York: MacMillan Pub.), 1990. --Lundquist, Laurie: http://www.asu.edu/cfa/art/events/deepcreek/Lundquist.html --Billington, David, The Tower and the Bridge: The New Art of Structural Engineering, (Princeton: Princeton Univ Pr), 1985. --Fences, Gates, and Bridges: A Practical Manual, George A. Martin, Ed., (Castle Freeman), 1992 (reprint from
1900). --Kadare, Ismail, John Hodgson (Translator), The Three-Arched Bridge (fiction), 1998. --Dupre, Judith, Frank O. Gehry (Introduction), Bridges, (Black Dog & Leventhal Pub) 1997. Vocabulary arch, beam, catenary, compression, load, pier, span, tension,
truss for further vocabulary specific to bridge building, see "Bridge
Terminology" above... Materials Preliminary: 1. Before coming to class, review the thematic concept of Art and Technology as found on the website. Also read the discussion on Structures for Unit VII. Review the Project References above. Activities: PART 1: Remember, bridges are not simply static objects--they are dynamic
structures that provide transitions between often disparate
points in the landscape. Project: Your maquette will be used to determine the potential success
of your bridge as if it were actually built on site. Given sufficient
time and resources, one of the maquettes produced in class will
be translated, as a collaboration of all the members of the class,
into a full scale working prototype. Critique Ideas When you have completed your maquette, divide into small groups
and exchange artworks with another group from the class. Within
your group, work together to respond to each maquette in turn.
Consider the following 2. Point out any personal symbols the artist used to indicate
a particular meaning. 3. Discuss ideas the artwork seems to communicate. After some
sharing of interpretations, attempt to state the "message" of
the design in one sentence. (This artwork is about. . .) 4. Explain how the shapes, symbols, or other elements of the design
support its message.
Project VIIC
Objectives
Project Overview
Your challenge is to plan and execute a bridge that is both functional
and poetic. Based on a vocabulary of points, lines, and planes,
the bridge should be designed in response to specific functional
requirements and a real-world setting.
open
Process
Research bridges in the library and/or on the Internet further.
Keep in mind that bridge designs are a cross-cultural phenomenon
and date back thousands of years. Remember also that your design
is to be "poetic" as well as "functional" so think of ways to
challenge the "straight" engineering approach.
PART 2:
Make some sketches for your own bridge design. Be sure to consider
the context and function of your bridge.
Create a "maquette" or small model of your bridge.
1. Describe the techniques for creating bridge designs your fellow
artists used and explain how various problems were addressed (design,
function, response to site, etc.).