Thesis Excerpts of Interest

Ryan Drummond asked, Why the ocean?

The ocean is the only earthly environment which man cannot overpower, the ocean belittles man.

“...our tools are always deployed in the service of some philosophy or ideology. If we are to use our tools in the service of fitting in on Earth, our basic relationship to nature- even the story we tell ourselves about who we are in the universe has to change.” _Janine Benyus

Water in this context is a mechanism, and the architecture; an experiential tool. The power and scale-less immensity of the ocean challenges human significance. The ocean transforms social structure. Community is necessitated by man’s inability to control the force of the sea.


On interdisciplinary exploration (informational systems integration) :
"...in the fertile crests between intellectual habitats. Where ecology meets agriculture, medicine, materials science, energy, computing, [architecture,] and commerce, they are learning that there is more to discover than to invent." _Janine Benyus

Program Phase 01

Population Data_
Researchers_ 25
Family_ 45
Staff_ 20

Module Data_
A Module =45.3’ Module ≈5 levels ≈10,000 square feet
B Module =28’ Module ≈2 levels ≈1,500 square feet
C Module =17.6’ Module ≈2 levels ≈500 square feet
Solo Module =6.6’ Module =1 person

Topside Level_ 22 modules + 125 units
Recreational Landscape_ 3 A modules
Multi-sport Courts_ 2 A modules
Community Space_ 3 B modules
Exercise Space_ 2 B modules
Restaurant_ B module
Bathrooms / Maintenance_ Integrated
Atmospheric Laboratory_ 2 B modules
Radio + Communications Center_ B module
Solar Desalinization Units_ 100 units (one per capita)
Induction Wind Turbines_ 25 units (1/4 per capita)
Solo Pods_ 8 Solo modules

Volatile Level_ 12 modules
Main Leeward Port Entrance_ B module
Secondary Escape Port_ B module
Floating / Submersible Platform Landscape_ 10 B modules
Bathrooms / Maintenance_ Integrated

Coral Level_ 38 modules
Housing Units_ 12 B modules
Bathrooms_ Integrated
Experiment Frameworks_ 5 C modules
Sample Traps_ Integrated
Coral ‘Moonpool’ Laboratory_ Integrated
Decompression Chambers_ 2 C modules
Dry Specimen Laboratory_ 2 C modules
Community Space_ 2 B modules
Bathrooms / Maintenance_ Integrated
Restaurant_ B module
Movie Theatre_ C module
Public Computer Center / Server_ B module
Solo Pods_ 12 Solo modules

150-200m_ 25 units
Current Driven Turbines_ 25 Units (1/4 per capita)

300m Level_ 13 modulesSaturated Dive Laboratory_ B module
Decompression Chambers_ 2 C modules
Robotics Control Laboratory_ C module
Restaurant_ B module
Bathrooms / Maintenance_ Integrated
Computer Lab_ C moduleMovie Theatre_ C module

Submersible Dry Port_ B module

Solo Pods_ 5 Solo Modules

Seafloor Level_ 1 module
Uninhabited AUV + Submersible Charge Port_ B Module
Data Port_ Integrated
Sample Receptacle + Lift_ Integrated

Vertical Circulation_ 8 units
Buoyancy Elevators_ 2 units
Infrequent Non-Volatile Carbon Tendon Shuttles_ 3 units
Construction + Maintenance Cranes + Ports_ 3 units

External_
Kelp + Algae Growth Pods_ 100 units (1 per capita)
Fish Farm + Collection Pods_ 50 units (1/2 per capita)
Wave Energy Generation Buoys_ 25 units (1/4 per capita)

Pre-Jury-Jury Reactions

I apologize to all for leaving but it was an emergency or I would not have left. I'm very glad we had this pre-jury-jury and I wish I could have seen the others because I think we're really gaining momentum and showing direction. I have been designing too much in my head still, being too careful to make everything presentable and as a result I haven't gotten to the models and perspectives which make this a real project to the jurors. I also need to clearly outline what the physical pragmatic constraints of underwater construction / architecture are. Andrew pointed out that this can be very straight forward and because the experiential aspects are entirely different. I feel that this relates to the dual nature of this project that has interested me all along and will help me show that I intend to merge the performative engineering side with the experiential poetics to create the architecture. This poetic experience however cannot be realized without a narrative. In addition to experience this gives the dimensions of the modules legitimacy showing that they can indeed fit the program in a comfortable way.

The scribble of a site plan, program level-list, and repair maintenance robotics will be enlarged and clarified for thursday along with the narrative perspectives. As Lisa pointed out it is better to show the best example of each system rather than working out the entire project to a lesser degree. In that line of thought, the perspective become a background for overlaying the information (plan, section, detail, 3D view) about each module which facilitates that experience. Hopefully with the jury upcoming we can discuss which parts of the project hold the most potential for being taking to larger scales and worked out in more detail.

Narrative Perspectives for Thursday: Surface Port Entry> Main Coral Level Lobby / Divers> Topside Courtyard> Housing Unit> Deep Laboratory> Solo Cathedral Pod

Also the NOAA's (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association) IOOS (Integrated Ocean Observing System) Diagram which I forgot to present last night will help put this in a scientific context.

The overall structure of the presentation can then be first pragmatic and then the experiential one of the user and follow the narrative I have layed out above. Perfomance + Experience as Design + Affect.