substrate; proof of concept - planning

I'm still working out the details in how I want to execute the construction of the substrate but my process of thinking is well under way. For whatever reason I seem to be getting a better grasp on what an 'in process' model consists of, it is basically exactly opposite to anything that I have ever thought of or created. I basically have to make a conscious effort to in a sense let go of the process and begin to let it almost create and design itself. Hopefully I will get an actual physical start on the model this weekend, wood will most likely be purchased tomorrow as today I went and spoke to Keith in the woodshop about which materials will suit me best.


The dimensioning for the topography lines works out well with the 1:50 scale of the model in that 1/4" MDF is 5.5cm which is actually the scale version of the 250cm height difference that each step in land contains.

As my process with the model progresses I will keep things updated!

topography - 238 m above sea level

I was able to get a copy of the plans for Point Douglas which includes a bunch of different versions of the topography of the area as well as a high resolution aerial photograph. As I mentioned yesterday I am going to begin the model as a starting point for the development of the virus so I am beginning construction of the riverbank up to where the land begins to level off (part of a residential lot) which will also include a portion of the river itself. I overlaid the topography map on the aerial photo to verify which portions of the topography my construction will begin with.

In total I will be beginning with 28 steps of land which I believe are measured in cm elevation changes ranging from 23 000 cm on level ground at the top of the river bank down to 22 300 cm at the bottom of the bank, creating a level change of approximately 700 cm (7m) from river water height to where structures can begin on flat ground.

...virus, parasite, water, river, model...

After having chosen a site I have now realized that I have chosen too big of an area, or while I'm on the subject of area, I probably shouldn't have chosen an "area" at all...this is all getting very abstract...I should clarify...

Going back to what I was saying a few days ago it's important for me to choose a starting point or a beginning rather than a particular piece of land which I wish for my virus to inhabit. This makes sense because the path of a virus cannot necessarily be predicted, or contained for that matter, therefore I have no way of knowing the coverage of my project when I have absolutely no idea what my project is at the moment, this however is not a bad thing, but rather a way of process and method that I'm trying to get used to.

My model needs to be able to grow and transform exactly the same way my virus will grow, expand and modify. To start things off I am going to construct the starting point of my virus. The starting point is within the area that I wanted to choose as my entire site because I think it's important that my virus have access to the points which I see to be significant, if all the spaces are not inhabited then that is fine, if the area is completely taken over and the virus spreads throughout the entire area of Point Douglas that is also fine, I need to keep things unpredictable.

I've been reading 'The Art of Being a Parasite' - Claude Combes. Currently I am focusing my studies on Chapter 4 entitled 'The Profession of Host' in attempt to gather information that will point me towards a starting point within the area which I have chosen to begin the inhabitation or infection process of the parasite. As I mentioned in a previous post viral distribution takes place effectively within water, therefore providing a platform for contagious spread because water is difficult to avoid within life. Parasites have a tight relationship with water (120). Water is an excellent carrier because during the beginning stages of inhabitation the parasite is typically undetectable by the host, therefore it is unnoticeable and moves in.

The area I have chosen to work within contains a section of river bank, which is obviously connected to the river - containing water. The river bank meeting the water will be the starting point for my virus or parasite (I will most likely refer to it as both until I figure things out further or make a distinction between the two).

Back to the model...I will be beginning where my starting point is and constantly working with the possibility of growth and spread in mind as a necessity. As I mentioned, the model has to be able to grow just as the virus contained or present. I've been thinking about ways of joining different pieces together and have come up with a joint system that allows other pieces to be constructed to fit into what already exists as well as for that new piece to shift or extend accordingly. By using this method, unlimited sections can be added to the whole, therefore never forcing the model to reach a finishing point, which works nicely with the idea of a virus never exactly having a defined starting or ending point, and also having the ability to modify itself. As the project develops new pieces will be added and perhaps new methods of building/constructing will be developed as I become more intimate with the virus, right now I have no way of predicting this.

I will begin with topography of the river bank moving from the water level towards flatter land levels. Slabs of layers will step as I go, purposefully leaving a void space underneath the structure to potentially deal with the underneath space at a later date (it'll be nice to leave this open as an option). The biscuit joint system that I explained above will be present around the perimeter of this first section to allow for attachments. I will begin construction out of hard board (?) which again could be adapted as I progress.

spaces in between - a brief introduction

I basically wanted to start to capture some of the in between spaces that I have been talking about in the past week, some of which are very focused on the areas within the housing in the area of Point Douglas. Houses typically are built in the middle of their respective lots which means there is land left surrounding them, but when placed beside another lot this space becomes larger in size and remains to be negotiated between the two houses and their owners. This space can be claimed and / or abandoned in many different ways which I have began to consider. Fences, infill housing, signage, vegetation, parking spaces or spaces for junk are a few that I have began to consider which all waver on the line between being either claimed or abandoned in some way.




Another item within the site that I have been encouraged to look further into are the existing or former power lines / towers, in terms of their significance, function and meaning to the area as a whole. I will be contacting my listed "source" this week for hopefully a little bit of information that may help me in my explorations....not sure where this will take me but I like the idea of looking at the power tower in terms of its relationship between upper and lower.

SITE chosen! - categories for analysis

I posted the order in which the three tasks in this blog took place in reverse, more so for my own reference. Basically I set a deadline for myself to have a site chosen by Saturday night (yesterday) or else I could probably have wandered around Point Douglas forever attempting to justify many areas as potential candidates. My goal was to find an area that contained many different site conditions, all in close proximity, programming wise I guess you could say.

The area indicated below on the middle sketch is the area which I located on a zoning map and went to visit to see the potential it might have. Once arriving I toured the site locating buildings, empty lots, houses, green space, parking lots and any other major items such as large busy roads, train tracks, bridges, the river, back lane ways, paths & piles of discarded materials. I wanted to chose a space with a lot of diversity contained in the smallest area possible.

Considerations for making a site choice also included elements that were happening throughout the area on the ground plane as well as the construction of certain spaces, intentional or unintentionally formed or constructed. This is hard for me to explain at the moment but my further analysis of the area will begin to deconstruct these elements along with many other categories that I have already began to define, starting the process of creating rules and boundaries for my process.

Conditions - Site Visit #2 (last week)

Parasitic Symbiosis

I think that I have finally, with much thought, come up with a name for my project which provides a kind of overview to what I'm trying to achieve in a way this semester. I realize that I don't completely understand where my studio is going, or maybe what I'm trying to achieve at all...to be honest I'm still rather confused, but I'm coming to terms with that not being a bad thing necessarily. Still either way I think it's appropriate to name my studio, correct or incorrect, maybe it too will evolve as my thought process does throughout the semester - Parasitic Symbiosis

Parasite - an organism that lives on or within a certain environment
Symbiosis - the relationship which the parasite has with its environment

Virus - an overview (define)

In keeping with the idea of my machine moving through a space or area with a particular starting point yet no definite end point or length of time for inhabitation I'm finding it appropriate to study viruses including what defines a virus and how they behave and respond under certain circumstances. My machine is similar in many ways to a virus in that it contains different behaviours as well as varying responses, this is also according to the space or environment that it is in.

Trying to relate the two more clearly with more of a basis I began to do some basic research on what exactly a virus is -

- Latin translated as 'toxin' or 'poison'
- an infectious element
- capability to grow, reproduce, spread and infect
- infect cellular life forms
- types: animal, plant & bacterial
- do not have cells but do have genes and are able to evolve
- resultant is immune response & disease
- noxious substance
- agent that causes infection or disease
- parasitic reproduction capabilities
- distribution: bodily contact, fluids, injection, soil, air, ingestion
- quarantine as a method on limiting contagious spread
- no single mechanism can account for the origin
- virus life cycle

• attachment - binding between viral protein and host cellular surface
• penetration - virus enters host cell
• uncoating - process by which the viral enzymes are released
• replication - basic assembly of the viral particle with host cell

Void Mapping - Site Potential #1

A brief mapping of the void spaces in between the spaces that are occupied by housing structures shows the potential for a virus to spread amongst buildings that are similar in use, providing a semi-constant set of restraints -

Sorting out the site - Selection #1...yes...

The Walking Machine - December Presentation

I don't think I got a chance to post a few photos outlining what my machine looked like at the end of last semester for final presentations. Below is a brief look at the machine as shown in my portfolio -

Possible Site Choices - 4 considerations

After re-thinking some of the questions I was posed with during the last critique I returned to Point Douglas with the intention of staying away from the bridge this time. A few other areas sparked me interest, which I will list, locate on the map & briefly explain...they are in no particular order however some feel more developed at this point -

1. Residential area located at the North West corner of Point Douglas: I like this area because it allows the possibility for my project to potentially have a starting point, instead of a particular site or confined area. The area is about 6 blocks square and is essentially dense, low income housing. Where I find the potential is with the space in between the houses, particularly the 4 main back lane ways, which can be seen on the map. It may be interesting to use my above & below concept to tackle the in between? With this said I would be able to develop a program surrounding infill structure possibly with an inspired undertone of the politics of homelessness which is prevalent within Point Douglas as a whole. Basically the theme would be 'infill', but not necessarily housing....

2. Vacant river bank stretching from Waterfront Dr. turning circle to Dewdney Ave : I'm drawn to this area because of the possibility for a design which involves the idea or concept of span but which also incorporates the idea of the above and below duality that I keep returning to which could potentially involve the water and land. I find this area lacking something but I'm not entirely sure what exactly that is, I think that's part of what draws me here. I'm intrigued that such a beautiful piece of land, directly in contact with the river can go essentially unused. Also the river bank, in particular within the constraints that I have located, is home to many homeless individuals within the area which would also be an interesting element within the project as mentioned in site 1 explanation.

3. The River surrounding all of Point Douglas or part thereof: I decided to make the river a possibility for the basis of my studio because it holds possibility is terms of addressing the generation of space as well as acting as a possible catalyst for a virus effect and also finally provides the opportunity for me to address span in terms of the relationship between upper and lower, which is a prominent element within my machine. By choosing the river I have the option to select a starting point in relation to land or other undetermined factors for the 'virus' in an architectural sense but also I have the opportunity of repetition of this starting point through the use of more river, but also variation because it is a river. Also by using the river I can relate both Point Douglas and the land across the water tying two regions together or separating them further. Also I can address many elements within the Point Douglas area without being constrained, which is the potential drawback to some of my other site choices. So far the river may be my favourite...

4. Train tracks spanning from East to West through Point Douglas: Currently this choice is the least developed. I think it offers some of the same possibilities as the river does as a selection in that is embodies repetition but also provides a position for start and the opportunity for expansion, growth and possibly span. Currently the tracks act as a point of separation, with attention they could be seen as a joining element...again I'm not entirely sure about this choice but I also like the interaction that the tracks have with the river on the East side.

Each of these four choices offer similar as well as different benefits, drawbacks, possibilities and ideas as far as the potential of my studio progression is concerned...I would appreciate input on each or any of them with specific feedback.

The search continues!

As it turns out the site that was my preliminary choice is actually not a good fit...bummer. My evaluation of the bridge as a relationship between the upper and lower as a representation of my machine is possibly too resolved, basically I have chosen a site which is essentially the final product of what I am trying to achieve. "The bridge" has apparently been a little overdone and does not provide the type of opportunity that I should be looking for in a site...back to the drawing board!

I am now searching for a relationship between movement and structure, which attempts to resolve or analyze the process of growth and movement. It may prove more appropriate to look for a region of sites that provides a starting point rather than a specific location that the entirety of the project is contained in. This lends well to the fact that I have always been resistant to containing the machine, maybe the site needs to be a reflection of this. I need to look at the site as a generation of space or a virus in a way. Also I need to be aware of the concept of spanning and how I with to address this as it has always been an underlying theme within my process. The site could be a combination of units, but again must contain an element of evolution and growth which in a way feed the machine and its intention. Basically I am now in search of an origin rather than a site. I am now attempting to negotiate a relationship rather than imposing a purpose or final product.

The search continues...

Site Possibility...Disraeli Fwy & Sutherland Ave. - Bridge

I decided to go to Point Douglas and explore to look for a site that spoke to me regarding how my studio has developed so far. Usually a site gets chosen according to the function that it is to suit and then the project gets developed accordingly. In this case I have essentially designed something that does not yet have a purpose or a location so I find it therefore appropriate to chose a location within the site that has something to say yet I'm unsure of exactly what it is saying to me - hopefully it will begin to tell me!

One of the most important elements to me regarding the state that my machine is in is the relationship that it creates between the 'up' and 'down'. Whenever I go to Point Douglas I'm always drawn to the area where the Disraeil Freeway crosses Sutherland Ave. The freeway crosses over Higgins, therefore requiring a bridge, which I love. The space underneath this area seems to be missing something which I can't completely put my finger on at this point.

The thing about a bridge is that is conquers the relationship of the over and underneath by dividing the two and clearly defining their boundaries yet not completely separating the two ideas, which is essentially what my machine manages to do. I'm not entirely sure where this will take me but right now I like that a bridge as mentioned deals with the relationship with over and under, creates a natural void space typically overlooked, has void spaces within, creates a dark space in need of light which could work nicely with the capabilities of my machine, and provides the opportunity to re-think a system that is widely used in the architectural world yet is often overlooked as a visual piece but instead focused on in terms of functionality.

Thoughts on some questions...

Well, I'm back and ready for the new semester & all that it holds!!! Over the holidays I had a chance to reflect on the point that my studio was at when I left and where I aspired for it to be starting up again here in January and also looking forward to April. A long list of questions were presented to us on Friday so consider over the weekend...some of which I have put deep consideration into and others which I either do not know how to answer right now or am not sure how to interpret with the information my machine is providing me with or inspiring me with....anyways, here is the beginning...

How does the machine engage with the environment?

Ultimately the machine & the environment would work together to create a space or structure. They would function by making use of the limitations of the other therefore creating boundaries from one another, basically there would be a mutual harmony between them.

Does the machine project into space?

Right now I find it easier to think in terms of the 'machine' as the creator of space rather than the inhabiter. This could be in the form of light or through a method of extension, both of which were explored last semester. The complexity of the final product would be a result of time as a layering effect would begin to form. The purpose of letting the machine project to create the product would be that it would communicate its intention without human translation or intervention...rather interruption...the result would be literal and pure.

What is the spatial behaviour of the device?

The machine provides a view of the relationship between the upper and lower spaces associated with itself. Behaviorally in terms of space it is limited to where it can travel within an area according to the conditions of the ground plane. Because of this the upper antennae are also limited because they can only travel where the legs take them. Spatially its behaviour is to claim, invade, interrupt and transform an area occupied by darkness through the introduction of light.

How does it claim space?

The machine claims its space physically, in the moment, by simply being present - similar to any other concrete element, but it also leaves traces of behaviour that inhabit the space as well as an inticipation of movement that occupies an area without the machine having even move yet, basically it has presence.

What are its spatial conditions?

The machine needs a space that gives it the freedom to create. Walls have always seemed to me as limiting barriers, or of less significance in terms of presence within the project, I've viewed them more as unnecessary elements. A ground plane and ceiling plane however suggest the definition of an area without necessarily enforcing it or limiting the machine.

How is time considered as a spatial condition?

The machine doesn't necessarily need time in the typical sense, in the sense of the passing of minutes. Its actions can occupy as much time as it is provided with. Small portions of time can be layered over one another to create the illusion of time.

What other spatial conditions need to be considered?

Currently what the machine requires is a relatively flat ground plane however the adaptation of the walking motion to another condition can be introduced by ways of considering pneumatics or some sort of shock absorbent system involving a fitting attached to the foot or an entire redesign of the leg and its functionality.

What is the condition of the system?

Technically three systems are working together to create the larger overall system. The original mechanical system is in place which allows the movement of the legs through the motor and gears. The timer system is then incorporated onto the mechanical system manipulating its functionality in terms of timing, occurrence and overall capability of movement. The lighting system is then incorporated into the overall system. This system is independent in that the machine does not have to be physically active in order for the lights to appear yet their movement is a direct result of the other two systems working together. Therefore the effectiveness and capability of the system as a whole is a direct result of the smaller systems existing in harmony.

What are the characteristics of the space that it could inhabit?

I'm tempted to turn back to an earlier idea that I had involving the machine being partially submerged in water. I'm not exactly sure how this would carry out but the legs could potentially have some sort of capability to transmit information sensed underwater and then translated by the reactive movement of the antennae, which would in turn be given form through light...I have not completely developed this thought...

Alternatively I would like to find a space with characteristics involving the division of lower and upper space...or an area which is missing one of these components...or missing the components of side...overall I'm not completely sure...I want to visit the site to get a feel for what I may be drawn to.