In my last post I showcased some of the work done this semester in my "Architecture of Objects" course led by Professor Shaun Jackson.  I am sure everyone who checked it out would agree there were some really awesome lights and furniture pieces in this year's showcase. 

This post will give a closer look at my final piece for the course, a coffee table prototype which arose from the desire to create an object with radically different interior and exterior relationships.  The exterior of the table is very geometrically precise with straight lines and hard edges.  The interior, on the other hand, allows for a loosening of the geometry and results in a free-formed and undulating surface.

The table is made from laminated strips of birch plywood which are then CNC routed based on a Rhino software model to create the interior geometry.  After the four sides are cut on the CNC, they are sanded to create a smooth surface and attached together. 

Here is a video we taped while CNC routing.... (http://bit.ly/K792Fi)

Brandon Vieth was a CNC master and helped with all the routing work.

The 1/4" glass top is custom ordered and fabricated from a local fabricator and is held 1" above the top surface of the table by (4) aluminum pieces which were cut from a single length of aluminum and then finished in the school's woodshop and fabrication studio. There are also (4) more on the bottom of the table that act as the table's feet.  These eight aluminum pieces fit into pre-cut 1/2" deep holes in the table's top and bottom which were done before CNC routing.

The edges where the miter joints meet is concealed with an aluminum channel cut to length in the school's woodshop.  These pieces serve to accent and compliment the aluminum pieces holding up the glass table top.

Weeeee Diiiiiid it!!!!! Studio finals are over and I have emerged from my studio cocoon only to realize that posting on Archinect is only one of the many things that has taken a backseat to school in recent weeks.  In an attempt to make up for lost time I am preparing a full on blitzkrieg of...

Over the course of the semester I have been taking a course on Architecture Theory with one of Taubman College's foremost Theorists, Professor Amy Kulper (http://bit.ly/IeZlAl).  It is safe to say that this course has blown my mind and has given me a lot to think about as I prepare for...

The Spring Break Externship Program here at Taubman College (http://bit.ly/GNqs6A) is one of the best resources for the students at the school.  Basically, it is a week-long, unpaid internship program that places current students at a firm in the location of their choice (almost...

In a rare break of the studio grind our studio had the chance this week to tour the new Broad Museum by Zaha Hadid, currently in construction on the MSU campus in East Lansing, MI.  A reward from our professors for going on 2+ months of no sleep.  A less critical view would be that our...

Spring Break 2012... whoohoo!!!!   I think spring break in graduate school serves a slightly different purpose than in undergrad.  For undergrads it is usually a time to cut loose and get after it.  However, for graduate students, when spring break rolls around their is only one...

I feel guilty because I have not blogged in about two weeks.  But here's why...   Over the past several weeks I have been doing what is usually the most enjoyable/dreadful/nervous/hilarious (depending on how you look at it) thing any student can do while in school...MAKE A NEW...

This week at Taubman College marked the 2nd iteration of a new pilot program at the school, Masterclass or Expert in the studio.  I am sure all of my dedicated and loyal readers will remember my post from our Alexander d'Hooghe charrette last semester, but for those you didn't read it (hard...

This past weekend TCAUP was home to both Whither Architecture: A symposium intended on investigating "installations" as a framework for architecture; and the presentation and gallery opening of this years' Research Through Making projects.  Needless to say, it was a very exciting weekend...

"Hey hsolie! We noticed you haven't updated your blog "The Michigan Difference" in a while.   Do you have something new to say? Click here post a new entry. http://archinect.com/add_blogpost/23116650 Are you totally done with this blog? Click here to archive your blog (select the "Archive...

as promising in my last post, here is a closer look at my individual section's projects for our Representation Studio here at TCAUP...   Our student section, lead by professor Tsz Yan Ng (http://bit.ly/vIdjCn), was focused on creating full scale horizontal surfaces using digital technology...

Today was the final day and showcase of our Representation Studio, a 2nd year grad student wide course focused on representation and its various methods and techniques.   from the syllabus... "Here in Taubman College, the discipline and program of Architecture are at a crossroads with regard...

An Architecture of the Territory That was the title of a recently completed pilot program at TCAUP.  The program is tentatively called "Visiting Experts" and consisted of an intensive week-long workshop effort lead by an outside guest and involving, at least this time around, the entire 2nd...

This semester I am taking part in what is being called "Networks Studio: Crossing Infrastructures" which is a 2nd year grad student wide  (94 students) studio effort.  The idea is that, while broken up into individual studios of around 11 students each, we will all share a joint site...

Today was undergraduate open house day at TCAUP which meant the halls, classrooms and studios were flooded with prospective students.  Among those roaming around was a high school architecture teacher...they teach architecture in high school?  Awesome.  Anyways, he came up to my...

Hello world, my name is Harold-Sprague Solie and I am currently in my 2nd of 3 years as a graduate student at the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning (in future blogs referred to as "TCAUP" for short).  You can also call me Harry for short, I only use...