AA_DRL

Update from New Delhi!

2009-06-10T07:13:00.010+01:00

Hey all,

Ever since Feb 09, i have been living with a Déjà vu. I guess a lot has to do with the fact that i am at the same desk that i was before DRL v.11.

Anyway I thought i should make an attempt at an update. Just informing what i have been busy with since UK kicked me out!

- conducted a workshop at SSAA, New Delhi! An exercise to generate patterns at an urban scale within an already planend studio exercise and introduce forms into established patterns

- Bigger news - participated in a National Competition (School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi). Our entry (www.designplus.org.in) was one of the 25 out of 281, selected to be exhibited recently from 1st June to 7th June. Attached are some renders of the entry.

The entry was throwing references to Urban Ground, an idea brown sheep flirted with at the DRL. (www.urbanground-ab.blogspot.com)

LIFE W/O DRL

2009-02-06T14:01:00.004Z

Ciao John Street and our beloved tutors,

The Phase II now enter into Phase III and the post master's era in the practice of architecture.

This blog was set up by DRL Year XI Students and perhaps will leave with us as later generations resort to Facebook and other network methods for DRL journalism.

The current situation of London's economy suggests a slight change of plans for a few, but as Tom Barker put is at the Phase II Dinner, "The creme will rise to the top."

We bid goodbye to director and tutor Tom Verebes, and watch as new tutors Marta and Alisa enter the program with exciting new approaches to design research.

The DRL was my greatest learning experience. I recommend design research entirely for all architects.

It has been fun participating in the blog, and I hope that it continues in some form.

Cheers,
Brandon Aaron Gibbs

AADRL January 2009 : DRL+DPL

2009-01-09T22:54:00.009Z

The AADPL Managers that make everything we talk about.

AADRL 2009:

A tiny break is over entering into 2009, and much work ado... still:

Happy New Year!

DPL Pre-Presentation Lab-Life

January 22nd is coming soon along with AADRL Final Presentations. This is the last and greatest month of digital prototyping for the AADRL. We will use man, machine and computer to the fullest extent possible bring parametric ambitions into tangible manifestations. God forbid electricity should end in these last days before January 22nd; it is the current lifeline of this laboratory.

Here are the machines which work with us at the AA Digital Prototyping Lab. They also have there own website: http://digitalprototyping.blogspot.com/

Faithful And Bookable Lasercutters.

Large Scale CNC

Small Scale CNC

Small Scale CNC #2

The Great 3D Printer

Work To Do...

A Reverse Recipe For DRL Prototyping

-Model

-Finishing and a touch of magic

-Machine Mabrication

-Material Processing

-Digital File Preparation

-Prototyping Method Selection

-Model 3D Compilation

-Research-Based Model Concept

Cheers til final presentations,

BG

Next Booking Week

2008-11-21T23:28:00.004Z

In the twilight of the day, there is a resonating hush,
Is it the wind through the branches?
Or the birds rising from their nests?
No, it is the DRL students booking all the slots in the laser room

Thanks to the rest of AA for all the patience!

casting

2008-11-13T01:36:00.000Z

Full-Time DRL: Busy As Usual

2008-11-07T23:59:00.002Z

As presentations are being prepared, some of the best work can be observed in the John Street studios. The studio closes consistently by 11:30pm each day, and so continues a discipline with time and resources. The London underground transport also closes around 12 for most locations, so this is a metropolitan pressure as well. In the prototyping workshops, students rush for the best places on the list or arrive early at the machines and work spaces.

From drawings and animations to scripts and material models, John st. is a thriving center for the latest prototypical techniques. There is emphasis on the component currently at Phase I, in the latest workshop. Material expressions were formed with lasercut pieces, plaster assemblies, and rapid prototyping facilities. The work is quite impressive in its response to architectural impacts.

However models are made or time is spent, the work of the DRL is constantly re-emerging in better and newer forms.

Prototype Production All Around

2008-10-31T13:52:00.012Z

The final stage of production in the workshop Parametric Systems and Structures aims to deploy the parametric systems to a range of specific systems at three scales of design.~syllabus

There are more and more models in John street studios as reviews continue alongside work for the two phases and numerous teams and tutorials. Ideas are shared at different scales, which translate into new and different architectural expressions for every project. The structural issues faced at the detail level are an important basis for larger structure solutions. There is a continuing reminder of the architecture implication for the prototype in the urban scale as the detail scale can overlook its overall impact.

~Model by Team O2R

Team Sahra

Team Chimera

Team terminalFlow

Team Shampoo

Team FluXYZ

Team Mayhem

Team 123

Team Farm

Team E-Motion

Team 1001

From the Phase II review, here is summary of some of the tutor's comments.

Tutor Theo Spyropolous is continuously stressing the importance of the social infrastructure inside, around and between the building, which often remain isolated in a sea of buildings.

Tutor Yusuke Obuchi appreciates the fruitful results and explorations of individual types, versus a field of complex but unrelated typologies.

Tutor Tom Verebes likes the "great DRL project" goals, but always pushes for an outlook with these projects in a competitively changing architectural field.

Tutor Alisa Andrasek, new to DRL, approaches the projects in a preservative way, focusing on the key features as guide to continuing the work.

Keep Blogging!

Early Phase I Making It At The AA

2008-10-24T09:26:00.020+01:00

Documentation. In DRL Term I, students work in teams of three to four students and solve design issues based on workshops with weekly tutorials and seminars. The current topic is Proto-Design which emphasizes modern design methods and industrialized production.

Here are a few of the first experiences of the Pre-Phase I teams in the primary workshop.

Phase I Tutorials
(with directors Yusuke Obuchi,
Theo Spyropoulos, Tom Verebes, and
also many new course tutors for 2008-2009)

Model-Making

Design/Planning

Prototypes

Implementation

Welcome to your new home DRL XII.

Phase II Review: Prototype Design

2008-10-17T12:16:00.010+01:00

Analyzing Scale. The Phase II Prototype Review was a step forward. Analysis methods were constructed to make viable solutions at smaller scales. Structure tutorials will follow next week as we develop the framework for these prototypes to stand in the Phase II design project.

..handy for the alone time between the prototyping lab and the studio..

As for criticism of the quality development from Phase I, the new work can be simply quoted:

" too few prototypes in number, too vague in emphasis, and too small in size. " ~ Tom Verebes

Welcome to the Blog

2008-10-15T08:45:00.003+01:00

Hello Phase I,

Welcome to the AADRL Blog. Please take advantage to add new blogs concerning your projects and development at the AA.

As always refer to the course guide for policy in submission, but as always be creative and exciting in all that you do.

Cheers to all,

Brandon A Gibbs.
AADRL Blog Admin Phase II

Review #1

2008-10-06T20:21:00.006+01:00

The Phase II and the new Pre-Phase I fill the ground floor of the John St Studios.

For the Phase II, a project comes into completion, requiring continuous hard work and preparation until the end. Following the laborious follow-up presentation of certain Phase I projects, everyone was better suited. A prototype workshop will lead the way to entering Phase II with logical methods and feasible development strategies for adaptable parametric studies.

~Brandon A

Nova: The Return of DRL

2008-09-17T14:36:00.003+01:00

Advanced project development. Challenging spatial ideas and parametric concepts brought into architecture. Scale interpretations amd environmental impacts

All Coming October 2008...

phase I work

2008-07-08T17:02:00.001+01:00

phase I final review

2008-07-08T17:01:00.000+01:00

Models

2008-06-24T20:30:00.003+01:00

DRL Pavilion Time-Lapse

2008-06-23T00:35:00.001+01:00

Process

2008-06-22T00:52:00.002+01:00

FLUXi

Process

2008-06-18T20:09:00.003+01:00

Reviews May

2008-06-02T07:59:00.002+01:00

MID REVIEW

The AADRL Mid review was held on the 22nd of May. Most projects showed good development since the mid mid-review. The issue is resolving the conceptual and scripted references with an architectural proposal. It is the two things that makes the program challenging. The aim is not merely a proposal, but an entire logic that utilizes scripting and parametric processes. It is a language that DRL students have time to develop in the year long culmination of the Phase I and Phase II project.

STRUCTURES PRESENTATION

The structures presentation was a chance to discuss engineering and technical aspects of the current DRL projects. The emphasis was on concrete building models and feasible structural systems. Physical models and clear design products were appreciated by jurors like Tom Barker and Lawrence Friesen. One important note is that the structural discussion does not start with building section but with the entire urban scale and how it will connect to the individual spatial conditions.

BG

sleep shortly = speak clearly ?

2008-05-21T16:49:00.003+01:00

good luck munchkins, tomorrow DRL midTERM2 review: don't forget to CLAP!

John Street Empty - Bank Holiday Monday

2008-05-05T19:33:00.004+01:00

[something scared everyone away..?]

Moscow Episode IV (Arabic Music)

2008-05-03T16:43:00.003+01:00

Interestingly fitting mix.

UAEDRL photos

2008-04-29T11:27:00.004+01:00

I have uploaded a selection of photos from each day of our studio's trip to the UAE to the online sharing world. There is a lovely slideshow option as well on there so you can see them big-ish . . . you're all familiar with picasa . . . click on the images below to view the 5 different collections of photos, one from each day.

Moscow Episode IV

2008-04-23T17:53:00.001+01:00

Welcome to Moscow.

Pavilion Opens to Public

2008-04-16T15:42:00.003+01:00

Friday, the DRL TEN pavilion will be opening.

Congratulations.

to those who Walked the Highline

2008-04-08T02:27:00.006+01:00

“Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by these sons of [new] York;
And all the clouds that low'r'd upon our house [john str]
In the deep bosom of the [atlantic] ocean buried.”

Richard The Third Act 1, scene 1, 1–4

Москва́ ДРЛ

2008-04-06T18:15:00.017+01:00

CONTEXT MOSCOW, RUSSIA

Russia is a beautiful place with many beautiful people and architecture. The DRL project team with Moscow as a site received an opportunity to visit grand architectural examples and observe the surrounding social conditions and urban behaviors in Moscow. The reconstructed city has played home to many social and cultural movements, and as the political landscape changed, so did the architectural one.

HISTORY REVOLUTION
Moscow has gone from medieval castle village to Classic City to consctructivism, to Futurism, and even to the Communist urban farm. Older sites like the Kremlin house beautiful examples of Russian and imported Western European styles. St. Basil's Cathedral sits to one side of the Red Square, and carries a dimension of its own, for history and culture among the many Russian Cathedrals. 'Red' means 'beautiful' in Russian, and the major public areas, like Arbat Street give meaning to the dense complicated quasi -grids of transportation that lace the city in concentric patterns. More modern works include Centrosoyuz by Le Corbusier, and the Zuev Workers' Club.

Zuev Workers' Club
(currently out of repair)
Plates from the A. V.
Shchusev State Research
Musuem of Architecture;
Moscow.

AADRL TUTORS
PATRIK SCHUMACHER
CHRISTOS PASSAS

SITE OUTER MOSCOW
As a project site itself, the particular region within Moscow set aside is less this urban hub. It is more an outlying counter-border between the edges of the city and the fringes of the inside. Major relations can be seen in creating another cultural moment within the three borders of this site. A new monument to stir the social and cultural landscape would suffice.

There is the calm Moscow River close enough to make a difference in any project and local developments and trends which to respond against. The closest bridge and the one metro station also are important design factors.

PARAMETRIC DESIGN
Good understanding of what is happening in Moscow City should be a pre-requisite in responding with an adequate design strategy.

We are the DRL.

Brandon A

UAEDRL

2008-03-29T17:15:00.014Z

DRL takes on crazyland . . . and explores by drlVAN and drlBOAT

Remember Me?

2008-03-28T22:31:00.002Z

We used to work here a long time ago; we were here like everyday. How time flies. I almost missed it passing by...

UAE: The Colours & the Greys

2008-03-28T19:44:00.000Z

UAE - The Colours and the Greys

2008-03-28T19:32:00.000Z

Snapshots from brazil!

2008-03-27T13:16:00.005Z

AADRL @ Escola de Cidade, 19/03/08 - 2300

Pinacoteca, 18/03/08

HOLY MOTHER..............thank you..............thank you!!!

jesus on easter, Rio

MuBE - Museum of Sculptures, Sao Paulo

exploring niemeyer, Sao Paulo

AADRL @ University of Sao Paulo, 26/03/08

ditto

Site - Park Dom Pedro II (fore-ground - bus terminal; back-ground in shadow - the park), Sao Paulo

City centre, Sao Paulo

On top of the Copan Building, 20/03/08, Sao Paulo

ditto

Pastiche Architecture, Sao Paulo

Yusuke loved the city and expressed it in his own mysterious way!!

20.03.08 Paulo Mendes da Rocha

2008-03-25T23:30:00.005Z

beauty on the beach

2008-03-25T00:13:00.006Z

yes, Rio sounds lovely. . . but what about camels? did you even see any of those? i expect not. now, they sure are purrrrtty . . . . . . . pretty smelly, anyway.

i'm sure suryansh got some nice pictures of bellydancers though, so you guys can all swap your drool debating over pictures when you get back :)

Enter...Tony Shark [in Rio everything is possible]

2008-03-23T23:21:00.001Z

teaser from rio!!!

2008-03-22T23:19:00.003Z

For all the poor DRlites who are or shall be visiting the other 3 metropolitans, here is a small sample of what you are missing!

love

PS - there is obvsly more from where this came! sigh!

Now I dont even have to Title this Post. And Again.

2008-03-17T15:00:00.002Z

Now I dont even have to Title this Post. Again.

2008-03-17T14:58:00.001Z

Now I dont even have to Title this Post.

2008-03-17T14:48:00.001Z

DRL Pavilion Opens

2008-03-14T12:18:00.005Z

There was an incredible turnout at Thursday's Pavilion Opening. People came from all over and were pleased for that and the releasing of the new AADRL book. People admired the structure test and trial product and ten years of DRL work, as the school term ends for all students at the Architectural Association.

DRL Phase I students celebrate DRL book release.

Field Line Urbanism Defended

2008-03-13T09:21:00.004Z

Click to forward to FLUXI:the blog

Almost there...

2008-03-13T00:48:00.002Z

Post Final Presentation

2008-03-12T23:40:00.002Z

The final review for this term was a compilation of information and less formal development. The best strategy from all the projects and suggested avenue is a project that has a link to the previous terms research and a proper sensibility for application with an existing field of information embedded in the site.

Dubai, New York, Moscow, and Sao Paolo all have something to offer without the suggestions of architects. That is the pre-existing. The computational technique when applied to parametric urbanism should be informed by this interpretation of the site field. To accomplish this is much more difficult then typing.

It is a gap between concept and action, a sad barrier in our profession which leads to unrealized architectural potential.

"Are we problem solvers?" should not be the question, but rather "was the problem solved?"

Photos to be uploaded soon...

Brandon A

Final Presentation..

2008-03-11T12:47:00.002Z

The final presentation for this term will lack a few items:

Pavilion work, Exhibition work, Phase II participation, etc., Phase II development, DRL Phase 12...

The year-long project is shortened by a few months, and a good question is why? Why and why not.. Should something shift in the program? Will everything be different next year--this year is incomplete, and the next season of applications should be in the office and being evaluated. New DRL are preparing from all over the world, and only a few of the DRL students have even considered them. The time now is the inbetween, and this presentation must prepare some place between now and then.

Brandon A

9.03.08 HP Pavilion

2008-03-09T21:11:00.002Z

Between Phases

2008-03-06T10:22:00.014Z

DRL Extended Family: Architects with guitars and microphones

Boston Music Rooms Meet DRL

Very supportive DRL support their colleague Yodashe, as she performs with the Surface Unsigned Festival. It was an awesome performance; it ended early enough for everyone to catch the last tube.

http://www.myspace.com/flakesband

John St. Studios Full
The Phase II final models have been photographed and documented as the last day for graduate submission booklets and DVDs has passed. Now for review, which the Phase II teams should all pass effectively.

SEMINAR: Fractals

The purity of the fractal interpretation of numbers and geometry is a decisive lesson for parametric systems. The logic that nature uses again and again is all parallel to the recent fractal logic of self-similarity and infinite scale. Yusuke Obuchi suggests properly for us to develop our own geometries, and of course not to rely on boxes and orthogonal typologies.

Is it necessary to not only live in architecture, but also to live on it? Architects trying to understand architecture should try to work and live on it, as an experience but also as lesson to that what they design.

SEMINAR: Zaha Hadid vs NOX

We don't really agree that NOX has an elegant result from early computational urbanism; but in retrospect of DRL Research based purity, we like his systems. On the other hand, Zaha Hadid and her work with Patrik Schumacher and their studio comprises the term 'elegance' as a method to proceed with concrete architectural production. That early stage in parametric urbanism is left behind, now; now, they can proceed beyond a simple understanding with calculations to an entirely formal and parametric set of results.

29.02.08 HP Pavilion D.Tail

2008-02-29T21:11:00.004Z

27.02.08 HP Pavilion

2008-02-27T23:37:00.005Z

Moving Around

2008-02-27T11:20:00.013Z

New Seminar Locations

It is relevant that the pavilion construction is shoving schedules around. Fortunately, we are able to relocate our seminars to efficient spaces. The AA Main Lecture Hall would be nice, and John St. Ground Floor is crowded, so studio spaces in Bedford are the most useful. It does have the equipment necessary for presentations.

At the end of all this, it must be considered that next term will have no seminars and a full focus on studio project with no diversity of space beside the visits to site.

The basement becomes a lot more colorful

Scaffolding Setup

There is always a give and take in concerns to the building project. Certain preparatory works needed to be completed for the scaffolding to be installed, and with the installers coming, the Phase I workers had to participate extra to be ready. Fortunately, the filming of sitework began on the weekend. The opening will be soon, so it is good to be efficient will all schedules and people in unison.

AADRL Phase I Discussion

Issues of project completion, pavilion construction and future term considerations were discussed at the AA main lecture hall. Will a sacrifice need to be made on behalf of the summer term or at the end of the program, costing extra tuition? Students are the beneficiaries of loans, grants and financial obligations affording the program. Some will have to find ways to work for the break period, but now that the term has been used for the incredible DRL TEN exhibition, it must be considered that time has to come from somewhere. Is it possible to make time up with focus and great effort, or will it take additional weeks?

Brandon A.

Possible Future Functions of Pavillion

2008-02-26T01:19:00.003Z

Stargate

Unseen Angle

2008-02-26T00:56:00.003Z

The Pavilion appears safe at night...

DRL TEN Lecture: Too many people to go past

dj matei

2008-02-24T23:24:00.004Z

best dj around (when sober)

why yusuke was late to his presentation . . .

2008-02-24T16:17:00.002Z

DRL TEN 22.02.08

2008-02-23T18:56:00.004Z

Exhibition Room

2008-02-22T01:18:00.002Z

18.02.08 HP Pavillion

2008-02-18T20:03:00.007Z

First Hand Perspective

2008-02-18T13:08:00.004Z

Photos from Rafael

Pavilion Into Week II

2008-02-17T00:33:00.009Z

Progress continues at Bedford

The site is coming out nicely as DRL try to adjust to construction schedules--to beat the schedule.

One by one

The Pavilion team needed help. The tractor was stolen in the middle of the night in London, of course... We took out every piece one by one. the German driver could not help but push the mostly new construction helpers. One by one.

Phase II: goodbye for a bit.

Diagramming Workshop with Kris Mun

Facekind

2008-02-12T22:13:00.002Z

Face of the AADRL.

Facebreeder

Faceblender

oovoo

2008-02-12T15:12:00.001Z

ROCK STARCHITECTS

2008-02-08T20:17:00.000Z

Family Business
(from right to left: Diego, Alex, Zaha, Raphael, Julian)

Please HELP PAVLOS take an importand DECISION for his career : pick the colour of his NEW MOTORBIKE [bmw 1150 rockster]

2008-01-27T23:23:00.000Z

Interstitial Phase Dynamics

2008-01-12T04:48:00.000Z

How may we enlighten and help your team?

Phase I,

Are you helping Phase II? What does it do for you to help them? What does it do for them?

Is it simply about another hand, or is the learning process being transmitted down to another generation. Try to ask questions about more than putting models together. Get the ideas behind it all.

Phase II,

Is there a Phase I team helping you? Are you learning as much from Phase I as they learn from you?

Your research here is almost done, but make sure to pass along tools, techniques and meaning so that the AADRL can achieve its purpose here and to come.

Brandon Aaron

Workout New Year

2008-01-01T10:14:00.000Z

I played bass in my room once.
I have been in my room since.

The rest of the time after an 8.5 hour + 3.5 hour connecting flight trip, I have faithfully worked on my paper between intervals of Spongebob Squarepants, Facebook, and of course being with family.

This song goes out to the Goofy Goobers...

Cheers,

Brandon Aaron

new years cheers

2007-12-30T18:55:00.000Z

hi all. hoping everyone is having a happy holiday! thought i'd spread a little snowshine from back in minnesota, u.s.a.
i'd love to see a photo from where everyone was for the break!

Comment on a recent John Street session

2007-12-12T12:28:00.000Z

Some people Live through making Architecture. They are fortunate.
More people Earn a living by making Architecture. They make a fortune.
Most people Live in the two previous’ made Architecture. They pay a fortune.

But quite a few make a living through other people’s Architecture.
These are the people one should be worried about.

[for 70022180]

CHRISTMAS PARTY.AA

2007-12-10T16:12:00.000Z

The AA Christmas party was lively. Most people came in after 10:00. Phase II DRL came in shortly after as their post-final review was the day before. It was a nice setup.

Cheers!

Brandon A

Last Week of Term 1

2007-12-09T20:21:00.000Z

Well, I figured that blogger doesn't like backspace. Or Mac. Either, its a bit bugging sometimes. Rather than complicating things with html, I decided to put the text on the image itself. Finally I have managed to find the time and motivation to post here. Here are some images of this last week at John Street.

And then came Jeff Kipnis. And suddenly we did not know what a window was, or where to put a door. Anway, have a good vacation guys.

NEW YEAR.DRL

2007-12-06T02:21:00.000Z

Where will you be for new year's day?

Happy Holidays!

Click here for Flickr album

blinking architecture

2007-12-03T16:44:00.000Z

...........sinergy

Seven Days

2007-11-28T00:02:00.000Z

DRL PHASE I: FINAL REVIEW

Final Review of Semester One
Wednesday 5th of December

The best strategy for a DRL Phase I team(I will let Phase II bloggers comment on their behalf) is to have a design strategy. Monday's (previously Wednesday's) review gave Phase I a chance to get critique explaining what the DRL is what it is not. It is a urbanism design studio. It is not a computer lab--despite how many machines we may use. Referring to the prophetic energy of Marshall McLuhan, we are just showing an honest evolution of the extensions of man. This is life in the Modern Age.

Model: Team Ujjal, Rochana, Praneet, and Yevgeniya

DRL issues in this Workshop IV mid-review were primarily based on graphic excellence or technical conflicts. The impressive skills in graphical representation and computational expression made for the most beautiful presentations. On the other hand beautiful concepts from Workshop II might have been lost in the presentation for many.

Certain projects like that of Ujjal, Rochana, Praneet, and Yevgeniya naturally translated into computational geometry and advanced modelling programs like Catia. The graphical representation of Maya Systems was very evident in Theo's team with Pavlos, Alex, Irene and Kostas. In Yusuke's teams, a compelling review was handled solo by Brian, showing that preparation is everything. The projects themselve should be commented on by the groups(Invitation for posts). But there was a general praise of software excellence but also critique about misdirection with the software tutorials into the design. These are not software examples as Tom said.

Rashiq aiding Anastasia with RealFlow

It is very good that Phase II is assisting Phase I, now. It is questionable whether the influence will spur derivitive works or very wise generative principles. That is not really something to be answered right now, though. It is to be considered.

Alkis as last surviving Greek of the night

Is Tom convinced or not?

Studio fun. When will we get names?

Modern abandoned acropolis: post review

Title Image: Saif and Phase I frustration

Please comment for any corrections. Cheers!

Brandon A

catia in paris

2007-11-16T23:42:00.000Z

just joking. no catia in paris.
no.

wanted to post that if anyone is interested in being in paris a few extra days (alongside our upcoming quickDRLbondingtrip) make it known. if you have a great cheap hotel or know your way around the city that would be good info to share [atleast with me]

i'm planning on going on wednesday and staying 2 extra nights leaving saturday, and i believe so is Hang. . . . anyone else? we are tentatively planning on booking the extra nights at the DRL hotel, but not completely sure . . .

okay yay bastille day

ch-airs,
-lindsay

p.s. i do have c.version17 if anyone wants to try to install it. i'm not so good at it, but it supposedly works. and if you have vista, come talk to me, i can help!

IDE+DRL Workshop

2007-11-12T21:24:00.000Z

Esemplastic MorphologiesWorkshop Overview
(5/11/07-9/11/07)

IDE and DRL worked together in a fun fashion last week for a five day workshop: Esemplastic Morphologies.

AADRL Phase I students received a chance to explore a multi-disciplinary approach to design. Jurors received the chance to figure out what the DRL is all about.

The workshop divided forty-one DRL students and thirty IDE students into eight groups:

(Each team worked with a material that could be modularized through esemplastic operations like attachment, fitting, compression and tension techniques)

Plastic balls
Cardboard
Chopsticks
Inflatables
MDF 4mm
MDF+strings(tensile integrity)
Paper
Paper Cones

Each team was given three 1 meter high plinth, and a requirement to stretch about 2 meters from the plinth. The plinths were set up in a 6 meter x 6 meter grid that placed each team according to its material construct.

The workshop challenged concepts of design with simple everyday materials as elements to engineer and design into inhabitable space.

Incredible Collaborative power

Conerangers with MDF arching structures
piercing through

Chopsticks in pure compression

Inflatables floating overhead;
cardboard over the right corner

Balls in reverse compression net

Large scale experiments with paper;

Each team is invited to submit a few
pictures and comments on the project.

Brandon A

Introduction - a DRL+ blog

2007-11-12T19:30:00.000Z

This place could function as an alternative to simply emailing each other (or spamming each other!) and a place where we can upload Course stuff, course details, opinions and issues and if succesfull it could function as a daily updated blog.

Brandon was kind enough to write an introduction Post with his views on writing (and more).

Feel free to post anything you want, this is an open blog with no regulations or moderation. For any more information contact Brandon.

Thanx,

Pavlos

Semantics Operations

2007-11-07T07:22:00.000Z

The eraser is mightier than the sword. I am static and pondering over a keyboard with some idea of my next topic, and I write one word at a time. Yet, inside me now, there are a multiplicity of topics and discussions that relate to all the topics, which we discuss and acknowledge. This is potential.

Seminar Presentation Gaudi vs Mark Burry
The dialogue from Sagrada Familia is continued
in graduate seminar.

Writing and publication are a form of memory. Leon Ho proposes, "When we write ... we are putting some degree of thought into evaluating and ordering.. information." What is the qualifier for the type of memory or nature of language? Is it insignificant for a moment's rant to be formed in sentences and paragraphs? Language itself is not a basis for judgment, though it can be seen as an observational record. Andre Breton states, "It is not the fear of madness which will oblige us to leave the flag of imagination furled. " Moreover, I contemplate the reading of my writing--my imagination-- as being a sign for cultural stigma and acknowledgement. This is also a form of memory in a social sense. Social memory then infers the point at which events of writing are inscribed with publication.

There are levels, of course, to dictate levels of social memory and instinctive writing. Is writing on a blog, facebook, a school newspaper or bulletin board a context for analysis? It is not the analysis of one moment and behavior that describes the traits of a person. There are behaviors and moments that lead us to question the fundamental understanding for which we write. To remove words, or contemplate erasing words is a step backwards, when the format is instinctive writing. Andre Breton state that "[poetry] can be an organizer." We are not simply expressing books and continuing phrases, but conducting an overall dialogue. In this context, every personal publication should be compared with the wide range of communication that has been exhibited by the particular mind. There are no shortcuts. Even in terms of emergent truths or random chatter, there is some type of primordial link to an instinct.

The blog and all other writing forms are exhibitions of the act of memory. These words are the selective communication from an immense dialect of human relations, which can be analyzed properly as thought. This is what stays with us, even in the eventual destruction, this social memory will remain, like Freud's "collective unconscious. Lean Ho considers in "Writing and Remembering," that we do not have to read the notes that we take, because the selective act of writing organizes our memories. This is only a snapshot in the form of a linear communication that expresses my memories.

This is to be amended as memory for the readers. The potential of new ideas, which advance older positions, warrants the act of continuous writing. Discussion is a better reason for the act of publication into a social memory, which is both debatable and under the target of comment and dissolution. Simply stated, there is a larger erasure of concept through either proof or critique. That is the importance of writing in allowed forms. This is here given to be edited and considered, as all writing, not as an excuse, but more an understanding for a broad band of topics with seemingly little shared relevance.

Writing Seminar at Morewell Street

Bibliography

Breton, Andre."Manifesto of Surrealism," read from http://www.tcf.ua.edu/courses/Jbutler/T340/SurManifesto/ManifestoOfSurrealism.htm.1924, 1+.

Ho, Leon. "Writing and Remembering: Why We Remember What We Write", http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/writing-and-remembering-why-we-remember-what-we-write.html,Lifehack, 07-11-2007.

Wikipedia, "Syntax," http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syntax, 07-11-2007

Wikipedia, "Noam Chomsky," http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noam_Chomsky, 07-11-2007.

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