I should apologize. I know there are those of you out there who enjoy these blogs and perhaps some, like me, who will depend on them for making decisions regarding your future education plans. So, I’m sorry. This is why I know I’m going to be an architect and not a journalist, but I will try harder to make these posts a bit more regular.
Rather than one up The Odyssey by describing my past six months here in Tokyo, I figured I would just included some captioned photos of some of the results of our efforts in the G30 and then begin more timely reporting (I pray to GOD) from here on out. Enjoy!
Christopher
_____________________________________________________________________
Simulation of inflatable units via Rhino and Grasshopper with Kangaroo Plugin
Advancing our assembly strategy, seeking to find a method offering a strong connection with no breaking of exterior membrane.
The size of connection plates controls the amount of plastic locally gathered around it. Larger disk = more gathering, thus when the system is inflated, bending can be induced by controlling the ratio of plate sizes on the top and bottom sides of the system.
From here our project advanced by looking at how to increase the robustness of an inflatable system so that it no longer requires continual air flow. An air-to-styrene particles substitution process was employed.
Prototyping
Heat shrinking smoothed the surface while rigidifying the system and enhancing its structural capacity.
The surface quality once completed. What began as a wrinkly ugly duckling transformed into a beautiful swan... well at least a less ugly duckling. The smooth, white, blobby nature of the surface was quite appealing in a weird, put the s'more back in the fire kind of way.
Completed form representing somewhere between our digital model and a completely unrecognizable shape.
Joint review between University of Tokyo G30, Princeton University, and the Nagoya Institute of Technology.
Baby approved.
Second years deep in contemplation.
Our actual project proposal for the styrene pellet system
Assembly Pattern
With the the CirclePack pavilion ending mid November, my fellow first year students and I set about completing our individual projects for our Workshop One presentation, held on November 22nd (Turkey Day). As we don’t have any traditional studio classes until spring semester, this fall...
Six weeks into the G30 program, I can report that I’m starting to settle back into the studio groove (ie the last train home at 12:17). My classmates, eight of us hailing from China, Mexico, Portugal, Macedonia, S Korea, Spain and myself from the US, are all in the process of...
Since arriving in Tokyo Tuesday night, things have been going smoothly and I already feel quite comfortable here. I was lucky enough to gain acceptance to university subsidized housing in a facility know as UT Shirokanedai International Lodge. As the name suggests, it’s housing for...
When I opened this blog a few weeks ago, I planned on writing my first post before leaving the US. So, in true architecture student fashion, I figured what better time to post than sitting at LAX waiting for my departure to Tokyo. Some things you should know about me that may be pertinent...
The G30 is an English language, architecture and urbanism course offered through the University of Tokyo for foreign students. Led by former AA Design Research Lab Co-Director, Associate Professor Yusuke Obuchi, the program seeks to collaboratively advance architectural and urban design research through the symbiosis of digital technologies and material development.
