Author Archives: jhunter

Radial Structures

Project By: Jessica Hunter

Folded plate structures create an opportunity in timber construction by utilizing manufactured wood panels, recycled material, and contemporary machining processes in a way that allows for light weight prefabricated structures. This project celebrates the beauty and opportunity inherent in the material while challenging the perceived limitations of wood. Through radial symmetry a field of column structures is both modular and systematic in the way it carries the building load to the ground. Concurrently the system performs a series of building tasks, such as passive day lighting and rain water harvesting, while achieving a unique space  for community and celebration.

The Hypar: Fallen Trees

Project By: Christian Lam

Fallen Trees, a name that suggest death but also new life as fallen trees repurpose themselves as timber. This harks back to the historical context of the site, formerly the heart of a logging and mill industry.

The design seeks to demonstrate the flexibility of the hypar shell by developing surfaces that not only serves as canopies but also skin. The premise of the design is a consistent architectural syntax, a singular triangular hypar module. Flipping, rotating and translating the module to establish unique volumes which envelop the spatial needs of a tennis court, a chapel and auxiliary spaces. The varying structural members also provide the potential to control daylight exposure in relation to the needs of the program.