Thought on Indeterminacy

As I am also studying engineering, indeterminacy is often defined as not being able to be resolved based on first principles. Naturally, indeterminacy in engineering is only a temporary state, where you them implement applied physics and mathematics to solve the problem.

A thought about modern society: Indeterminacy is constantly being eoroded and replaced by endless specificity. To the point where there should be no unknowns. This could mean that choice and randomness itself is being replaced by a need for certainty. Given the role of the architect in society, external measures have a significant impact on a design outcome. Further, factors for uncertainty in design are often attacked by rationalisation in order to quick a brooding storm and not scare the Clients.

Indulging the wim and the need for metaphor are an important aspect to design and should not be overlooked when searching for solutions. Acknowledge the logic but do not be suffocated by it.

Design updates- rammed earth

This image is taken from my model. I am studying the idea of using quite formal planning for the main structure. However, I do not want to impose too rigid a means of layout that the client cannot customise the structure how they see fit. Rather, the ability to quickly move and construct spaces that serve one another will be important in achieving the goal of designing a cultural centre. That is, an everything centre!

I am really taken with the most recent rammed earth technology. The amazing and beautiful textures that can be produced will make a great aesthetic contribution to the project. As sense of permanence and a place from which to create the remainder of the building.

I was thinking that earth samples from East Timor's 13 districts could be used to build the walls. A sign of unification and probably considerably differnet colours.



I had drafted up some images of the process in Sketchup.

Ply or the bamboo panels that will be used for flooring could be used to create the form work.

The components are shown below.

These are incredible textures that could bring a sense of warmth and place to the building (s).

Model making and drawing investigations

Regrowth Pod

I have been thinking about how the outcome will be transported to the site, and what sort of site works will be required. In my investigations I came across this project which uses the "pod" theme to communicate the idea. Although looking nothing like a pod, the solution is deemed as such as it can be transported and placed on the site. Like picking a pod off a tree and placing it somewhere, I guess.

I do not consider concrete, mass, and 100 tonne cranes to be viable options ofr this project. Moreover, apparently will we have an overly abundant supply of 'manpower' to realise the project. I think it would be a little disappointing to the East timorese if their new centre slid off the back of a truck like a turn-key solution.

Further, I really want the East Timorese to engage with the project by building the majority of it. They could embellish it with memories, tokens, experiences... anything that will give them a sense of place

Project Reflection Week 13 Indeterminacy

The project is progressing. I have finalised a number of aspects of the design by my decision to use bamboo as a primary building element. The coupling of materials has been of major importance to me. I want to emphasise the true aesthetic nature of each material, be it bamboo, steel ,aluminium or rammed earth. To have an outcome that could be interpreted as being born from the earth it stands on would be a complimentry comment.

The notion of indeterminacy has changed over the time of the project. Initially, I interpreted chaos theory: at any point within the project, you could magnify to observe scales on an infintie number of levels. They could be able to be magnified or reduced and the core aspects of the design could be maintained.

Then I considered scaleless indeterminacy to mean something asymptotic: No matter how close you feel to producing the theoretical and emotional meaning of a project, or sketch even, another opportunity would arise to allow you to reintepret what has been developed. In essence, the very notion of working towards an outcome would mean that you would never arrive at the predetermined destination.

I will consider this further over the coming days. The irony of the fact that the meaning is constantly changing is not lost on me!

Dominique Perrault - Japanese Performance pavilion

I found this project in an A +U journal from 2006. I was particularly taken with the dynamisim of the roofs and how they have such a presence in such a large space.

The structure performs its task very well by creating a focal point for the performers below the roof.

The section shows the importance of and presence of human scale with this pavilion in a landscape. It does not necessarily have to be vertically prominant to be observed. The scale does not dwarf the performers either, rather it gives a reference point under which dynamic movement can be performed.

Although the materials are glass, steel and concrete, a composition based on bamboo, tensile materials and support elements could work very well ,and be relevant to the people of East Timor.

Pavilions in the landscape

I recalled a lecture from this semester in which the lecturer was explaining choreography and scale. I was particularly taken with an image of numerous umbrellas placed within the landscape.

The artists are Christo and Jean-Claude, who are also famously known for wrapping the Reichstag in Berlin.

I thought about the scale of their installation and the idea of providing connections within the landscape. The idea of also creating shade and introducing sustainable energy and resource collection could be useful to the people of East Timor.

Although the site we have been asked to consider is relatively compact and flat, immediately behind this site is a dramatic incline in slope. With this comes views and an incredible vertical landscape in which to place the pavilions.

There could be rest stops along the way up to the amphitheatre, which also means protections and shade, as well as water collection for irrigations, and solar power generation. An interesting way to take in the views and breezes from opportune locations

It is important to have the facility to allow the client to decide where and when she can place the pavilions. The ability to have the pavilions be adaptable is of primary importance.

A relatively modest floor area for each pavilion can be overcome by placing two or more together. The collection of water can also be facilitated by connecting many pavilions to undergound rain vaults. Not only does this help in guarding against water-born disease, but with not interfere with the visual landscape or useable space.

More on Christo and Jean-Paul can be found here: http://www.christojeanneclaude.net/um.shtml