Washington University in St. Louis Undergraduate portfolio

ARIA GRIFFIN

Aria Griffin

Introduction to Design Processes

Portfolio Fl 2013-Sp 2015

Table of Contents:

Natural Pattern................4-5 pattern drawing basswood typography wire typographyObservatory....................6-9 site exploration plan and sections model photosFlying Machine.................10-11 model photos drawingsLight Machine..................12-14 model photos axonometricChapel.........................15-19 site exploration plan and sectionsEcosystem......................20-21 pin-up board model photos

Wooden Typography and Wire Module Structure My Natural Pattern Plant Drawings influenced the language and systems of lines used to create a three-dimensional forms. The density of the repeating lines juxtaposes the void and im plies shapes and paths within the structure. When the individual modules were linked together, they became a strong yet flexible spacial system--Collapsible and ever expandable.

20”x10”x3” Basswood Structure | #499 guage piano wire

36x24” Collage on Mylar

1/4” Scale Plan, Elevation, and Sections of Observatory In this space, I created an experience where one can study the sky and can understand the site by looking up and watching it un fold. There are two distinct ways of using the space to view the sky; a visitor can sit down and look through the viewer that stretches the expanse of the building, and then can recline against the backrest--positioned to see a much larger portion of the scene.

#499 guage piano wire

[Ricepaper acts as a fixed feathered sur-face: Light enough to catch air but strong enough to withsdand strong wind forces]

[Basswood Sticks act to create light-weight bone structure sys-tem: providing rigid-ity within the form]

[Rubber Bands pro-vide resistance and tension like tendons in an Egret’s Wings]

[Strings further lim-it the movement of each wing as well as connect the seperate cells similar to the muscle of an animal]

[Exploded Axonometric]TYPICAL CELL

EXPLODED AXON

Flying Machine RE[X] is designed as a kind of modern pet. Utilizing the flight mechanisms of an egret, he can roam in one’s backyard being propelled by only the wind. One can also play with him by throwing him through the air and watching him soar gracefully. When he does not land on his feet, RE[X] is flexible enough to curl in on himself and flip over (re sembling the action of a Roly Poly).

[Plan] [Underside Plan]

[Elevation]

PLANS AND ELEVATIONS

WING CONNECTION DIAGRAM

Light MachineMy project strives to create an experience for the viewer in which light appears to be in-finitely manipulable. The model is constructed from 2 sets of 10 unique modules. The aggre-gations of the module are linked with a pressured tab system which allows for the model to have both a flexible contracted state and a rigid expanded state. The aggregates are system-atically dematerialized to consistently allow for more or less light to be viewed through the model. When the tabs are extended outwards the geometries of the model form naturally into a circle-- and when multiple models are placed together, they resemble a set of gears.

Projected axonometric

24x32“ Graphite on MylarPerspective Diagram

24x32“ Graphite on Mylar

Shadow Phenomena exploration of site [loceated in Clayton, Missouri]Rotational light patterns of the couplets of trees were mapped on site throughout the day. The distortions caused by slight variences between like trees indicate areas of most con-sistant shadow.

24x32“ Graphite on Mylar

1/4” scale Plan and Section of ChapelChapel is built into sloping topography -- reflective of a catacomb precedent. As one en-ters site, they approach the more static facade where facilities [such as office, bathrooms and storage places] are located, and then begins dymanic journey into sanctuary space where walls function to manipulate light-- transitioning from translucent, to most opaque sanc-tuary space, and rematerialize to seemlessly encounter the ground and allow viewer to re-emerge into the park site.

Duckweed Chandelier[LEMNOIDEAE]

A

ELEVATING COMMON POND SCUM

16”

5”

ARIA GRIFFIN

Battery CompartmentLED Strips

Reflective PoolConcrete

Wooden Armature

[Section Cut A]

25” 12” 12”

Duckweed (commonly referred to as pond scum) is know as a nuisance—an ugly invasive gunk that’s sucks the nutrients out of water and suffocates surrounding plants. Recent studies have concluded that these annoying attributes also have potential to be very beneficial for our ecosystem. Duckweed is a starch and is a potential source of effective, clean, renewable energy—in the form of a starch biofuel. It prefers still water although it is not a finicky plant and in the best conditions it will even double its population in less than 48 hours.

Because of its bad reputation as well as its incredible environmental assets, I chose to elevate Duckweed and explore its beauty potential. Mimicking the seemingly sus-pended qualities of each strand of the Duckweed, the chandelier suspends the top-lit duckweed over a reflection pool which reflects the underside image of the float-ing duckweed—a beautiful image that cannot be seen when its found in nature.

Basswood, Plexi, Concrete