Indian Dining Traditions
In order to successfully design a pod that would aid the integration of ethnic groups it is important to understand dining traditions within specific cultures in order to try and achieve a very similar or inspired dining experience within the context of my brief. From my research, I found that chairs and tables are arranged for dining in more urban areas- with mats being predominant in more rural areas of India. The food itself is not served in ‘courses’ like western tradition but is a number of dishes served at once. Usually the host will serve you or you may help yourself. It is a very communal style of dining whilst also remaining informal by western standards as cutlery is not commonplace, with the use of naan bread to scoop up curry.[1]
[1] Indian Dining Etiquette the Dos and Don’ts, Jain, R. (2018), https://theculturetrip.com/asia/india/articles/india-dining-etiquette-the-dos-and-donts/, [accessed 19/01/2019] |
Timber Research
Timbers used within the construction or the production of architecture and products are categorised into 3: Softwoods, being from coniferous trees; hardwoods being from deciduous trees and man made boards.
Softwoods Pine- Pine is an inexpensive material that is most commonly used. It is commonly used in construction as it bears load well and is relatively easy to machine.[1] It has a pale colour with a natural grain which also ensures that it can be stained for a more expensive appearance and finish. Douglas Fir- Similarly to Pine, Douglas Fir is used within the construction industry as a structural material. It is a light brown colour and has a natural grain. Commonly, Fir is slightly more expensive than pine and not so easy to work with or machine.[2] It is also moderately resistance to decay- important when considering external use.[3] Cedar- This is a more resistant option to the former, as it is very resistant to decay.[4] This timber also has a pale colouring with a natural grain pattern that is relatively straight- meaning that it may easily break under force as a result of the regular grain pattern.[5] Spruce- Another alternative softwood, Spruce is also pale in colour but is not quite as resistant to decay. It is however, relatively inexpensive at a construction grade of timber meaning that it can be used for structural components.[6] Hardwoods Oak- When sourced locally, Oak is not as expensive as it would be when imported. It has a desirable interlocking grain pattern and a desirable brown colouring. It is used for both structural and decorative purposes as well as boat building as it has proven itself to be very good at resisting decay. It is not commonly used structurally within construction.[7] Walnut- This is a timber that’s incredibly resistant to decay.[8] It has a dark, rich colour with a desirable grain pattern which is produced as a result of the way that it grows. Walnut is not generally as sustainable as the likes of most softwoods that grow quicker- as it takes much longer to mature. Walnut is used mostly for decorative purposes due to its natural colour and grain.[9] Teak- Teak contains natural oils which makes it the best timber for resistance to decay. This makes it suitable for outdoor and external use whereby it will be exposed to moisture.[10] Teak tends to be a medium brown colour and has a desirable natural grain pattern making it aesthetically pleasing. It is a very expensive timber due to demand for its properties. Teak is also commonly used for exterior construction as it is rot and decay resistant.[11] Manufactured Boards Plywood- Plywood is the strongest manufactured board and is much less prone to breaking than that of natural timber. This is because it is made up of wood veneers which are compressed whilst using adhesive with each of the grains being placed at 90 degrees from the one underneath. Natural timber will usually break along the grain pattern as this is a point of weakness along the length of the timber. The exterior veneers can be chosen as desired. Plywood is also an alternative to expensive timbers as rather than using solid wood, a veneer (which is much more affordable) can be placed on top of cheaper timbers. It is also available in much larger sheets and sizes than natural timber as natural timber is limited and/or defined by the size of the tree. MDF- Medium Density Fibreboard is incredibly sustainable as it is produced from wood pulp which would otherwise be disposed of. MDF is not aesthetically pleasing and whilst inexpensive and easy to machine out, it does not have the greatest strength as it can be easily broken. However, changes in the adhesive used can ensure that the board is fire or water resistant. [1] https://furniture123.co.uk/content/wood-types [2] https://www.wood-database.com/douglas-fir/ [3] https://georgehill-timber.co.uk/blog/choosing-right-wood-outdoor-projects/ [4] Ibid., [5] https://georgehill-timber.co.uk/blog/choosing-right-wood-outdoor-projects/ [6] https://www.wood-database.com/white-spruce/ [7] https://www.wood-database.com/english-oak/ [8] https://georgehill-timber.co.uk/blog/choosing-right-wood-outdoor-projects/ [9] https://www.wood-database.com/english-walnut/ [10] http://www.technologystudent.com/designpro/natwd1.htm [11] https://www.wood-database.com/teak/ All accessed 20/01/2019 |
Timber Connections
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Timber can be used as a primary material in the construction of structures. In order for a structure to be able to support itself, sufficient connections between posts, beams and truces. To determine the best type of connection for specific parts of my design it is important to research into these connections.
Mortise & Tenon Joint- This is a common traditional connection between two timber components. It has been used for centuries and can sustain moderate loads. Its construction includes the production of a male and female half in which one is secured into the other. A peg/dowel is also commonly incorporated into the design to ensure that the timber does not come loose as a result of movement. Steel bolts may also be used in some cases. Dado Joint- A Dado joint produces a perpendicular connection using traditional carpentry techniques and involves removing the thickness of the material of the beam in the post. It could be secured by timber to metal connections in order to strengthen the joint. A Dado runs across the grain of the timber.[1] Finger Joints- Finger joints on a smaller scale are also used in the production of timber furniture, but can sometimes be used in construction to produce 90° joints. Braces- Braces are placed alongside timber joints in order to further support the structure. Timber braces are usually 45° timber sections along corners of frames and are reinforced using metal connections such as bolts and/or paired gusset plates which sit parallel on either side of the timber. This technique is used when paired tension braces have not been incorporated into the frame and is not sufficient for larger structures alone.[2] Joist Hangers- Joist hangers are used in both floor and roof/ceiling joists to secure them into place and is a metal to timber type connection. They are designed to support the joint and are secured in several points. [1] http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/router-cut-dado-joints/ [2]Module: Timber Connections, Connections for various assembly forms part 1, https://moodle.bcu.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/6244907/mod_resource/content/1/TRADA_connections-for-various-assembly-forms-part-1.pdf Accessed 21/01/2019 |
Street Cinema- By Omri Revesz
The street cinema is a pop-up temporary multimedia installation designed to display films of Soviet Russia from the 1920s in an attempt to explore how quickly and easily information spread through Soviet Russia. The Street Cinema itself is located in Venice in front of the V-A-C (Russian Contemporary Art) Foundation and was part of the Space Force Construction festival that took place in 2017.
The installation was designed by Omri Revesz Architects- a local, Venetian Practice that aims to produce innovative and technical design that is built with human and social interaction as a focus. The Pavilion itself is made from a timber, Pine structure, with hinges at the top, middle and bottom- inspired by Russian Constructivism (from the time which is the focus of the films shown within the Street Cinema Pavilion). The pavilion is able to be compressed together in order to create an open, social space, with fabric curtains that can be draped in order to remove light so that the films as part of the festival can be enjoyed. http://www.omrirevesz.com/info, [accessed 14/01/2019] https://www.archiproducts.com/en/designers/omri-revesz, [accessed 14/01/2019] http://www.v-a-c.ru/location/venice/, [accessed 14/01/2019] |
The Story Pod- By Atelier Kastelic Buffrey Architects
The Story Pod has been designed as an example of pop-up architecture used to enhance the local community. In essence, the story pod is an 8 foot square cube when closed.[1] During the day, two of its walls open out to provide a small library whereby members of the local community are encouraged to take, lend and leave books. The two opening walls provide a seating area for locals to enjoy their new found literature.[2] During the night, the box is closed up for security purposes and it provides ambient lighting through the transparent Lexan, for other community events. It is self-sustaining as the energy used to light the box is harnessed using hidden solar panels.[3] The interior of the pod is entirely clad from timber and so blurs the line between the space designated for storage and that for sitting. In many ways, the Story pod is also a landmark for the local community and complements the riverside and main street.[4]
[1] The Story Pod is a Tiny Little Lending Library that Glows like a Lantern at Night, Lofgren, K.(2015), https://inhabitat.com/the-story-pod-is-a-tiny-little-lending-library-that-glows-like-a-lantern-at-night/, [accessed 13/01/2019], [2] https://akb.ca/projects/story-pod/, [accessed 13/01/2019], [3] Ibid., [4] The Story Pod is a Tiny Little Lending Library that Glows like a Lantern at Night, Lofgren, K.(2015), https://inhabitat.com/the-story-pod-is-a-tiny-little-lending-library-that-glows-like-a-lantern-at-night/, [accessed 13/01/2019], Images:https://www.archdaily.com/777711/story-pod-atelier-kastelic-buffey, ©Shai Gil, ©Bob Gundu |
Muji Huts
The Muji hut is a Japanese solution to housing which can be constructed in areas of beauty to provide basic accommodation. The traditional Muji Hut is crafted from timber with a burned hardwood clad exterior and single room space.[1] The front of the hut features a sliding door so that when the pop-up structure is in situe, the occupant can admire natural views of their rural environment. The Muji hut takes the space and requirements for living down to its simplest form in typical Japanese fashion. The internal area of the hut encompasses 9m2.[2]
As part of the Tokyo Design week in 2015, 3 designers were tasked to create their own take on the Muji hut: Naoto Fukasawa’s Wood Hut Naoto Fukasawa designed a Muji hut that was very much built upon the principles of the original Muji hut idea. He used timber cladding both on the exterior and interior in order to “burrow into the wilderness.”[3] His hut design incorporates a wood burning stove, cot and bath to once again take the requirements for living down to its minimum. Jasper Morrison’s Cork Hut Jasper Morrison explored an alternative material externally for such a hut and explored how such pop-up architecture could be designed as a product rather than as a one off.[4] Despite the fact that his external finish of choice was cork cladding, he incorporated the traditional internal timber finish to his design with the main kitchen units, and living spaces being designed as though they emerge from the walls of his structure in the same timber material. Internally, it is once again incredibly minimalistic. Konstantin Grcic’s Aluminum Hut “The hut is just a space — it doesn’t have to be a fully functioning place for living,” says Grcic.[5] The Aluminium Hut is sparsely furnished in an attempt to design a space that is versatile for any activity rather than a living space. It is clad with an aluminium exterior but also features a timber clad interior. The fabrication method used in the construction of this hut is taken from that of a delivery truck.[6] [1] https://www.muji.com/jp/mujihut/en.html, [accessed 12/01/2019] [2] Ibid., [3] http://linkis.com/www.spoon-tamago.com/RdbRS, [accessed 12/01/2019] [4] Ibid., [5] Ibid., [6] Ibid., |