First Animation

One of my aims for the semester was to create my first animation. I ran out of time towards the end of semester to do all that i had hoped :) but managed to still get a simple animation out of photoshop!

Design For Social Activity

These sketches show my thinking (mostly is plan view) in regards to how the design of seating within the food stall component my best facilitate the social interaction between customers and further between the chefs. I like the idea of have different levels of seating (a punch out box creating a 'window' type seat) that then gives a view through to what is happening beyond, as well as seating wrapping around the green wall in different configurations. In hindsight if i was to develop this further i would look at making the seating somewhat adjustable so it could be suited to each festival theme as it changed. 

The second image display my thinking about the form of the green wall. I felt my previous sketched design looked quite chunky and not as aesthetically pleasing. As i played with how to adapt the form i found the main issue i had was the restriction of the leaf catchments being integrated into the form of the wall. I then decided that perhaps hanging the leaves from a high tensile material would provide freedom to tweak the aesthetic look of the structure. I carried this idea through and am happy i did. I also feel the separation between the two elements gives more flexibility in maintenance and retrofitting in the future. 

Crowding vs Spectatorship Solution

http://www.japantrends.com/ernesto-neto-louis-vuitton-espace-tokyo-madness-is-part-of-life/

One of the issues of my future festival occurring in the centre of the CBD is the practicality of crowding. It is already quite crowded at peak times in 2012 - taking rapid population growth into account it is important to consider the conflict between worker's/daily user's practical circulation space and spaces for spectating the festival. I like the concept above as i believe it has the potential to incorporate an opportunistic spectatorship while integrating display of art/lanterns or other important festival elements.

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/06/bonfires-of-saint-john-and-corpus-christi/100093/

Climate Refugees

Reflecting on the narrative behind my design i did further research into the current migration situation in Australia. I found this article particularly interesting and found it supported my notion that it is unlikely for many Australians to (quickly) adjust positively to the potential dramatic increase in refugees and migrants to Australia.

http://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1990&context=commpapers

First Attempt at Proper Sections

These are the first sections i've produced of the close to final design of the green-wall food stands... I like the white background best but feel it might be more difficult to express the glowing effects etc needed to convey the festival atmosphere. I am going to start playing with further Photoshop techniques and start layering the 'festival' vibe over the images before i decide which to go with.

3D Modelling

I have been attempting to learn 3ds max this semester to give me a bit more freedom in modelling as well as an ability to create simple animations (which i think will be useful for presentation this semester). I have struggled figuring out the best way in which to model my leaf form (water catchment/shade device)... Here are some images of process:

Using various modifiers within 3ds max was a bit hit and miss as to the outcome (mostly just due to my limited knowledge at this stage)

I tried drawing the lines in illustrator that i wanted for the leaf panels, then importing into 3ds max as a dwg in an attempt to get a more specific outcome.

This worked reasonably well but when imported into archicad (where i had modeled some of the more simple aspects because it is the program i am most comfortable with) it slowed down the file significantly. 

I am particularly adamant in keeping the structural form of the leaf separate to the 'skin' as i think this is more practical in terms of construction and future repairs/changes, as well as the aesthetic that comes with it.

Fascination

I discovered this image while flicking through a Harvard design magazine and it reminded me of the Margaret Wertheim's coral project. I think it depicts a fascinating mixture of what is usually small scale handcraft with large scale architectural, experiential space. There is something magical about the experience that i think could be translated into a festival component.