The agency of manufacturing: Spring 2019 7th semester
The assignment was to develop an architectural design proposal for a small whiskey distillery in the industrial area of the southern harbor in Aarhus. Using machine-like processes as a methodology to extract hidden and inspirational characteristics of manufacturing towards better and more precise architectures. Dissections of manufacturing processes undertaken at the intersection of subject, tool, and process
1:1 The Artifact – of subject, of recording, of manufacturing
1:10 The Frame – of subjects, of connectivity, of influence
1:50 The Apparatus – of parts, of process, of interdependency
1:100 The Monocoque – of program – of process – of reflection
1:10 The Frame – of subjects, of connectivity, of influence
1:50 The Apparatus – of parts, of process, of interdependency
1:100 The Monocoque – of program – of process – of reflection
Each investigation employed a different scale in the process of making and consuming whisky.
Assignment from Studio 2B Aarhus School of Architecture
1:1 THE ARTIFACT - of subject
While most modern artifacts are mass-produced, one can often find people with personal preferences behind their use of one artifact over another. We began the semester by finding and examining objects closely related to the act of distilling and/or consuming whiskey – objects at a personal and human scale. The object that I found interesting was an optic spirit dispenser. The artifact’s purpose is to control the flow of fluid so that every pouring of whiskey is the exact same amount.
Multiple overlapping digital photographs were used to construct a 3D Model.
1:1 THE ARTIFACT - OF RECORDING
I 3D scanned the artifact using photogrammetry. Taking multiple overlapping digital photographs from different angles, reconstructed into a 3D model, or mesh geometries, in the Zephyr computer program. But since the original artifact was hung on the wall it was not possible to record all dimensions of it, without removing it from the wall itself. The frame surrounding the fluid’s movement was therefore shattered in the scanning process. But the movement lingered and clung to the mesh, still traceable in the ruptured scan. The remnants of the frame hint at some form of passages, where the main flow branch unpredictably and sometimes failing to bifurcate, where whiskey would seep out. This created a highly intricate and beautiful interlaced structure.
The 3D Scan would always be distorted since conditions would never be optimal for 3D scanning, but the movement was still traceable.
1:1 THE ARTIFACT - OF MANUFACTURING
Evolving the scanned artifact into a 3D printed artifact.
An artifact equally exhibiting the qualities of recording and the method of production.
Undergoing further evolution through different stages of machining, being cast into bronze and then precisely 3D scanned.
An artifact equally exhibiting the qualities of recording and the method of production.
Undergoing further evolution through different stages of machining, being cast into bronze and then precisely 3D scanned.
Different stages in the evolution of the artifact.
1:10 THE FRAME - OF SUBJECT, OF CONNECTIVITY, OF INFLUENCE
Working with co-student Aidin Shamsalghoraei
Working with co-student Aidin Shamsalghoraei
Starting the next phase by partnering up with another student, Aidin Shamsolghoraei, who had created a very different artifact. Examining the aesthetic intersections between our different artifacts in order to understand and graphically portray both the like characteristics and differences in order to create the frame of subjects. Then modeling our 3D geometries together to explain the transitions between one artifact and the next: The frame of connectivity. Finally, we employed techniques in 5-Axis CNC milling to physically articulate the morphological geometries, using the limitations of CNC milling as inspiration – not hindrance. Resulting in the frame of influence, milled in a large piece of mahogany.
The roughing tool bit engages the large piece of mahogony that will frame the two artefacts
1:50 THE APPARATUS - OF PARTS, OF PROCESS, OF INTERDEPENCY
Examining the process (and machines) used in the fermenting, distilling, and aging of Whiskey. Determining the procedural, programmatic, and conceptual connections to identify the spatial requirements and adjacencies needed to undertake this production: The apparatus of the process. Finally, we will learn about techniques in robotic physical articulation, including hot-wire cutting and routing, to create interpretive models that indicate our gained knowledge in the potential spatial connections inspired by a distillery: The apparatus of Interdependency
Understanding the process of whiskey production and integrating it into Sydhavnen, Aarhus.
1:100 THE MONOCOQUE - OF PROGRAM, OF PROCESS, OF REFLECTION
My concept lies in intersections and interconnectivity. Aspiring to create a frame that stages the building's different functions. Linking subsequent elements together in such a way that they at once emphasize their interrelationships and the individual qualities that they possess. Initiating a Whiskey distillery by integrating its functions with Sydhavnen through turbulent abruptions. Creating expressive differences through densification dilution in the composition, inspired by the artifact and the frame creating a monocoque structure of program, process, and reflection.
CRITICAL WRITTEN REFLECTION - Turbulent confrontations
The highly controlled flow of the optic spirit dispenser speaks very metaphorically of how cities are currently being built. Where every built space is highly regulated, and the focus is to build smart, where efficiency is key. Flow should be smooth, laminar, and controlled. But that is not what interests me. What interests me is the failure and the rupture, the confrontation and the turbulence.
In my critical written reflection: " Turbulent Confrontation" I'm Investigating that if by overly regulating our cities, we may actually be losing the qualities that we desire spatially. Claiming that we shouldn’t be afraid of inefficiencies or blockages, essentially reconsidering what failures are. Addressing the possibility that there is too much focus on porous cities and that control isn’t porous enough.
