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Archive for the ‘Architecture’ Category
Hinging on a prayer…
In Architecture, Interaction on April 3, 2012 at 11:16 pm
In search for that perfect hinge, I found two options, one is with piano hinges using 1/2″ sex bolts and small washers. The connections look great, however, the details require a lot of time and precision that will make it hard for presentation deadline. The reason I state this is because I will need to make several of these for the final exhibition/presentation. The second alternative was using a high-grade adhesive tape that is used to repair sails. It has a white fabric finish and used with a 1/4″ dia. rod creates a hinge with the panels.
Since these modular panels need to be carried by hand, I have decided that middle panels in each set will also have a cut-out so that your hand can go through each panel.
The Right of Way: For the purposes of Soft Publics, we treat the right of way up as a space up for negotiation. By placing one of the modular tiles on the sidewalk surface, we create an entry point to these temporal structures. So the design question becomes how does the structure touch the 6″ curb?
special thanks to Teo Biocina
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Mid-Review 03.13.2012
In Architecture, Media Design, Thesis Statement on March 15, 2012 at 5:36 amMore info to come….
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Site: Encino Commons / Ventura Blvd.
In Architecture, Media Design on February 18, 2012 at 2:28 am
Notes w/ Tim:
In reference to the scenarios played out -
for more possible iterations ::: make longer and possibly taller
___ more elaborate of the structure
Naming the conditions;
can help with looking at this project with a fresh angle :
NAMES:
hitch, trailer
mobile
home
occupy
parking
space
loophole
——>> connect back with research in code:
___ if it has a license
___ it can park
___ if its not physically obtruding a right of way
___ (list all the loopholes)
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more notes to come….
special thanks to An Xiao !
Scenarios of Lil’ Hitch
In Architecture, Critical Design, Interaction, Media Design on February 10, 2012 at 4:04 ama car and trailer activating public space…
Notes w/ one of my advisors Jennifer Krasinski
How do you consider for people to come closer?
From afar do people approach? You will have cars on one side and pedestrians on the other? How do communicate at different speeds?
social media? Little Blue Trailer
? LBT ? twitter and wordpress?
QR CodeFebruary 16 2012 (7 days prep!)
- first experiment
- pick up truck!
- locations: MacArthur and Koreatown?
- assistance with documentation
- plan materials
- simple message
- simple execution
- addressing:
deployment
drawing out the lines
revealing
parking day resemblance
documentation of car / pedestrian relationshipdrawing plans and sections
responsive system can be the proposed for the future growth of this project
Updated Thesis Statement 01/29-31/2012 – Responsive Surfaces Workshop
In Architecture, Media Design on February 1, 2012 at 5:34 amUpdated Pitch : Space is media; activated public space is a form of free speech. The Arab Spring Protests (2011) and The Occupy movement have shown that one can represent the message of a thousand. The temporal structure of a tent has been manipulated and re-appropriated for public voice and outcry — and some cases declared by law as a form of free speech [1] .
Public streetscape in Los Angeles has been manipulated by companies for private means. I propose that this specific space can those same strategies and tactics can be done by publics with soft structures. These are design specific to their physical site context along with addressing their cultural surroundings.
What is introduced is a condition of Soft Publics =
revealed public space (structure/technology) + temporal ephemeral culture + (site context).
1. Buczynski, Beth. “Orange County Accepts Occupy Tents As Free Speech | Care2 Causes.” Care2 – Largest Online Community for Healthy and Green Living, Human Rights and Animal Welfare. Care2.com, Inc, 28 Oct. 2011. Web. 30 Jan. 2012. <http://www.care2.com/causes/orange-county-accepts-occupy-tents-as-free-speech.html>.
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Images from Responsive Surfaces Workshop by Jason Johnson of (Future Cities Lab) w/ Miles Kemp (Variate Labs ) & Brian Harns (CurvLabs)
more details to come :
()
Material Research _ Ornament + Spines
In Architecture, Critical Design, Media Design on January 27, 2012 at 5:13 pmThis past week, I worked with a good friend of mine Alice — who graduated from University of Southern California (USC), MArch, Architecture and Building Science. She has an expertise with Rhinoscript and CATIA, but more importantly, a very knowledgeable take on generative and parametric design. We worked on a few sketches of spine structures and the possibilities of how they can make not only a dynamic skin structure, but how they can be seen as a new kind of architectural ornament.
In my last line of references, I have been reading Henrik Reeh’s analysis of Sigfreid Kracauer’s research and fictional work on architectural ornaments during early part of modernism in the 20th century. Reeh’s take on Kracauer’s work illuminates the idea of how ornament and the everyday life is a relationship that encompasses image, memory and narrative. This book goes into detail of how architectural ornaments have a two-dimensional spatiality that allow them to have different forms of abstraction. This was heavily reflected in Kracauer’s novel Ginster, where the main character begins to imagine ornaments around him drastically transform before him.
One aspect that I realized is that soft structures/ornaments designed for urban space are or can be called media because they posses a two-dimensional feature from those who view and approach them. They are not program heavy and can be almost too nostalgic and really speak about aesthetic beauty. They are for interpretation, re-constituting and re-negotiating.
Site Selection : in the plains of id
In Architecture, Critical Design, Media Design on January 23, 2012 at 7:47 pm 
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site 4 : Virgil and Santa Monica
site 5 : beverly and la cienega
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Updated Thesis Paper
In Architecture, Critical Design, Media Design, Thesis Statement, Urban Design on January 20, 2012 at 5:32 pmCurrent updated thesis paper can be found below: (01/16/2012)
http://mikeprogress.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/mmanalo_final.pdf
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sign obstruction courtesy of Road View Ads
via their website:
Road View Ads offers owners and agents worry-free facilitation and management of their outdoor advertising space. This includes the research and labor necessary in obtaining, constructing and maintaining these structures and spaces. RVA is active in contracting and negotiating with both public entities and private organizations, and will ensure the security of your property from start to finish. This includes, but is not limited to, obtaining the necessary licenses, permits, consultation, and litigation on your behalf. RVA also interacts with advertisers to sell and manage the space and content on the property. From scheduling, managing, and selling ad space Road View Ads does it all.
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According to the current LAMC (Los Angeles Municipal Code) and recent ordinances passed by the LA City Attorney office[1], advertised trailers pose a current hindrance to drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists. LADOT (Los Angeles Department of Transportation) can only cite when these ‘hitched trailers’ are parked over the designated parking time. In a recent conversation with the North Hollywood LADOT branch, Road View Ads are experts in these trailers as they once outlawed for having 10 foot frames with wheels and an attachment for hauling. Now they evolved the forms of these to be have a smaller width and be attached by chain to small mo-ped vechicles. By doing this, these trailers are in a grey area of the LAMC and LADOT officers are unable to cite or impound these vehicles because there is no present law to enforce.
Road View Ads is a clear example of how companies been able to strategically manipulate public space for financial gain. They advertise that they have the litigation power for permits and can protect their clients wants for advertising. How can publics respond to these kinds of situations? What are tactics that can be done to only reclaim streetscape for public need but also establish a dialogue/ response to private companies taking advantage of municipal codes ?
What is interesting is that Road View Ads predominately have their sign located in the southern part of the San Fernando Valley. The large width of the boulevards have never been viewed as a contested space. However, with this small litigation battle between LADOT and Road View Ads, what are values of street scape? The definition of public space for Los Angeles is now being questioned because parks and beaches aren’t sufficient. Streets and sidewalk are being manipulated by private enterprises – can publics respond? Or do certain publics need to be created to respond?
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1. Recently passed in August 2011, AB 1298 specifically authorizes cities to define minimum distances illegally parked vehicles with hitched advertising trailers must move within a 72-hour period. If not moved the requisite distances, the vehicles may be impounded. link : http://atty.lacity.org/NEWS/ssLINK/LACITYP_015391
