Category Archives: Uncategorized

By Bryn Martin

The Conch is a tree viewing shelter inspired by traditional old-growth tree logging practices and the geometry created by the process itself. Two elements were extracted from the process to create the geometrical framework for this design; First, the use of the ‘spring board’ which were wedged into a notch in the tree to create a cantilevered member in which the loggers could stand on to cut the tree down. And secondly, the V-shaped geometry of the cut which created an informal cavity space which one could occupy.

The wood joint from the previous ‘folly’ assignment was then adapted to create an occupiable space akin to the geometry of the V-cut and a cantilevered ramp that spirals upward around the base of the tree itself. The spiral was created from the parametric component of the golden ratio to create a conch-like form that appears to be naturally derived. The occupiable space becomes a place for sharing ideas, storytelling, and teaching for the Evan’s Lake Forest Education Society and an informal play-structure for visiting kids as they explore the forested area.

The entire structure can be constructed using dimensional lumber and plywood sheathing. With the aid of a KUKA Robot complex three-dimensional joints can be cut such that the main structural elements can be constructed with a series of wooden through-joints. The arrayed structural profiles are then tied together by the sheathing and the spiral decking which is secured to the cantilevered joist members.

By Emily Kazanowski

Cocoon is a wooden architectural creature suspended amongst the trees.

Assembled of bungee-type rope with accoya wooden spheres, Cocoon’s tension mesh structure cradles children in the trees to view a historic old growth tree. The spheres nest within each other providing a shingle-like shelter from the rain. The spherical joints allow rotation and kinetic movement within the structure. As different forces act on the forest and trees the structure is changed and children are able to register the impact of natural and human processes. For instance, when it rains the structure will get heavier and hang lower in the trees. Also, when there wind the structure will sway gently. The structure’s form is generated from the location of the trees surrounding it. Viewers are shown the interconnectedness of natural systems. A change to one element affects the whole ecosystem.

The wood bead-like element enables flexibility (through rotation) within the system. The layout and sizes of the spheres relate to the cellular growth of a flower petal. A petal begins relatively flat, but the exterior cells grow faster creating tension and curling within the form over time. Similar to how a flower blooms, the spheres increase in size as tension increase (usually towards the edge of the structure). As the sizes of the spheres change and the shape of each sphere is influenced by the sphere below and beside it, each wooden element is custom. A multiple-axis robot is required to mill each sphere, which can be done with the incorporation of two flat edges to the bead’s design. The highly 3 dimensional nature of the joint and structure creates an unusual double curving form that expresses structural forces and natural processes in an interactive way.

By Théo Van Vugt

The purpose of my folly was to explore the possibility of movement in joint systems. I

was fascinated with the possibility to create a joint that had maneuverability, creating

opportunities for more varied angles of connection. I wanted to create an organic joint

not unlike a joint in a shoulder or leg, that was structurally sound in its movement. In

the future, I would like to explore more opportunities of connection, with more limbs

sprouting from each ball joint to create a more interconnected space.

By Selina Chau

By Jessica Hoang Chen

An exploration of a half lapped, slide-to-lock wood joint in an abstract, parametric, vertically hung and loaded application [a suspended walkway amongst the trees].

THE ELEMENTS

The wooden elements are comprised of a variety of 1/2” thick lumber, pre-formed to specific curvatures, and then combined into glulam members.

THE JOINTS

The glulam member joints are then fabricated with an 8-axis robot in a deductive method [removal of material]. Pins would not be required, as the joint stays in place with gravity and vertical loads [weight of the elements]. Secondary finger joints were considered for assembly flexibility as well as to thread the top tension cables.

By Haobo Liu

By Bryn Martin

‘Lumbar’ is an exploration of a wood joint that consists of three parts; when these parts are put together it creates a complex union that is self-concealing. The joint is put together through a series of sliding operations and at the end, a final locking member to hold it all together. The initial interest in this particular system was due to the concealed nature of the joint itself as well as the strict sequential operation in which it goes together.

The goal of the project was to challenge the limitations posed by the complex geometric relationship between the three members as well as testing its flexibility as a building block of architectural form. The final ‘folly’ exercise was created by extending and bending one of the three joint members to form a rib-like structure that the other two members could slot into along a series of parametrically controlled curves. The final experiment was to test the rotational limitations of the joint system by rotating it three-dimensionally in relation to an attractor-point system in grasshopper. The form morphs from a vertical wall condition into a curvilinear roof condition and appears to be almost spinal in nature – hence the project’s name ‘Lumbar’.

By Alex Floyd

Welcome to UBC Blogs. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!