Beginning of team

The next step in the process is to merge concepts and ideas with some of the other members of the EFab studio to form groups and begin physically making components for the future installation(s). I have joined forces with a couple students who are into this "venation" or "branching" process. Joining our ideas, I think we can come up with a grid system to begin working with. The specific site chosen for this project is the slope area close to the silos by the 3' retention wall facing the bayou. We chose this space because of the interesting slope situation. I think that alone will affect the grid system we come up with, creating a unique condition for the installation. After the grid has been established, we will begin to make a pattern, a sort of branching along the points on the grid that will be our location where to place the seats. Since we are still interested in creating shading, only some of the seats will have a type of canopy branching out and up from the same seats created. These will have to be light-weight, which is why we are leaning toward using cardboard, as opposed to some other heavy material.

Process

I started off thinking I wanted to do casting for this project, as I'm doing a point system with seating for joggers. Small samples consisted of Plaster of Paris cast in egg cartons. I learned that casting is not as simple as it may seem. The drying of the samples took longer than expected. I had to cast in small batches because the mix kept hardening before I wanted it to. Overall, it was a good learning experience. I'm still thinking of using casting, but since we're now moving to group work, I'll have to work it out with the rest of the members. Wood or cardboard might be good options.