Month: February 2012

Reading Break has just started and our team plans to use this time to gather the materials and enter the construction stage for the signage box.

With regards to the box itself, after some consideration, it was decided that the shapes of the frame’s design should be a bit larger and thicker so that it is stronger, more easily seen, and is easier to be built. A picture of the updated design with its dimensions is shown below and an estimate of the box’s total cost will be sent out in the next few days.

The wood and Plexiglas (or glass depending on the response of our client) will be obtained during the Reading Break as soon as some sort of payment for the box is received.

After meeting with the technicians, it was concluded that the technicians will cut the pieces for the design, but will leave it up to our team to assemble and paint the box. The assembly of the box can be done in the wood shop, but we have yet to determine a location where we can paint it (although we have a few places in mind).  The assembly and painting will most likely happen during the first week back from Reading Break. After that the box should be ready to be mounted at the Garden sometime the following week.

After receiving feedback from our client, we have updated our design in accordance to their wishes. An image of the updated design can be seen below.

Our group is currently arranging a meeting with UBC’s workshop technicians so that we can start building the pieces of the box.

This week we will finalize the materials and cost list. We plan to obtain the material after the midterm break and have the pieces cut and prepared in UBC’s workshop. The box is expected to be completed one week after the material is obtained and will be completed before being transported to the garden to be mounted.

After one month into the project,  our team has presented multiple initial designs for the signage box. In the upcoming 2-3 weeks, our team will finalize the design and obtain the materials necessary to build the box. The construction and implementation of the box is expected to take a total of about 2 weeks. An initial schedule of our plans are shown in the chart below. We plan to have our design built and implemented one week after Reading Break (the week of the 27th of February.

The signage box will be built in the workshop at UBC. The completed box will then be transported to the Garden for implementation. Our group will look into obtaining the materials from Home Depot, Rona, and other specialty wood stores. We will spend this week checking prices of materials from the stores, and obtain the materials next week.

The three design options submitted to our client are shown below. Our team likes all three designs, and the client is currently deciding which design is favored.

The signage box that we will be designing will be a stable and durable ornamental box with a latch door in which admission signage can be displayed. The box will be easily usable for signage that is changed regularly. The design and appearance of the box will be compatible with Ming Dynasty architecture, although modern construction techniques will be used in its creation.

The box will be located on the concrete wall adjacent to the admissions window. The box will be indoors, located under a roof, but will not be in a temperature controlled location. It will make use of as much of the available space as possible. Approximate dimensions are 28″ x 40″.

Conforming to Ming Dynasty architecture, the preferred material for construction is wood. Other materials may be used so long as the visible materials are relevant to the Ming Dynasty. This will maintain the theme of the garden. Metals, if used, should not be visible. Glass or Plexiglas will be acceptable for the box door.

The box will be finished with a custom red/brown colour to match the components within the garden. A sample of this colour has been provided. Gold accents may be used, and the back pan is to be black.

The maximum budget of the box will be around $300. Sketch-Up, AutoCAD, and/or hand-sketched drawings will be submitted prior to construction. The location of where to construct the box itself has not yet been determined.

A rough schedule of expected progress will be posted in the next blog entry.