DESIGN | FABRICATION

Megan Repka 2011

Megan Repka | California Polytechnic State University | Bachelor of Architecture

The West Oakland Fabrication Foundation was a collaborative design effort addressing several critiques on American society. The objective: to critique the ways we currently think about architecture and how American society endorses the destruction of the environment. Explored at a variety of scales, this thesis encourages an attitude of social responsibility. In addition to the architectural endeavor, a series of furniture pieces were designed and fabricated to endorse our critiques on the wastefulness of society and the discrepancies with in the architectural design process. All pieces exhibit a socially sustainable approach to design through both the reuse and responsible use of materials.

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Reuse | 1912 Train Stat ion

Our architectural investigation began with an abandoned railroad station located in the industrial de-velopment of West Oakland, CA. As a Restorative effort to both the surrounding community and the site itself, the building was repurposed as a fabrication and recycling establishment. Along with pro-moting responsible design, the building serves as a community center in an area lacking a neighbor-hood core.

West Oak land Fabr icat ion Foundat ion

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The two-story program includes a repurposed main building and an addition of fabrication facilities. The fi rst fl oor of the main building houses a main gallery space, offi ces, a conference room, café seating, and a kitchen. The fabrication facilities include a series of workshops, classrooms , and material storage spaces. The second fl oor of the main building was designed as artist studios and critique galleries. The remnants of train tracks were reused for transportation of the railed partition system.

Fi rs t & Second Floor Plan

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This rendering displays the use of the partition wall and workstation components in the exterior shop area. This area directly links to the main gallery, allowing for ease of transport of newly built products.

Ex ter ior Shop Render ing

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Phys ica l Sec t ion Model

Par t i t ion Wal l | Workstat ion System

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M e g a n R e p k a . A l l i s o n Pe l l . A l y s s a R e d d i n g

This wall system provides both an efficient use of space as well as a flexible and transformable approach to architecture. Individual partitions can be removed from the remaining wall system and wheeled to a desired location. Components can then be removed from the partition to create temporary workspaces. The wall system is fabricated of scrap steel that is tack welded together in a patchwork pattern. When the cut components are removed, a degree of transparency is introduced to the piece. Materials used: scrap steel, perforated steel

Partition and Workstation System

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Par t i t ion Wal l | Workstat ion System

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Workstat ion System

In conjunction with providing flexible space arrangement, each partition wall breaks down into sev-eral components. These pieces can be removed from the wall and assembled to create an individual workstation. Each partition wall yields a worktable, work stool, and shelf. All components use interlock-ing tabs to provide ease in assembly and dismantling. Materials used: scrap steel

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I nter lock ing Wine R ack | Modular System

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This interlocking system uses scrap steel from the junkyard to display a responsible reuse of material. The goal of the design was to create a use out of something rendered useless in an efficient manner. The two sheet metal scraps were water-jet cut and bent into place. The interlocking column creates a structure to display wine bottles. This column was fabricated as a module, thus more interlocking modules could be easily added depending on the spatial needs.Materials used: scrap steel

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Research

Process | Material Studies Interlocking Physical Study Models Materials: Cardboard & Aluminum

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Recla imed Walnut Headboard & Frame

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M e g a n R e p k a . A l l i s o n Pe l l . A l y s s a R e d d i n g

This project was designed for a client with an appreciation of Victorian motifs and dark wood. Instead of purchasing an expensive slab of walnut, our material search began at the reclaimed lumberyard. We discovered a pile of scrap walnut, and began an intensive process of planing, joining, and cut-ting out unsuitable pieces. After this process, we laid out the salvaged wood within a grid system to make efficient use of the material. Two hundred dowels were used to join the slats of varying sizes. A few slats were intentionally removed to incorporate a backlit Victorian pattern. In addition to us-ing modern technology to fabricate the design, the pattern is fragmented in such a way that it appears to continue into the rest of the headboard. The platform-style frame is con-structed from a pine slat-system with walnut rails and legs. The legs are inset to give the bed a floating effect. Materi-als used: scrap walnut, steel, acrylic, and Japanese screen paper.

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Cement Tube & Book End Table

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The design process included an exploration of cement fluidity, flexibility and strength. Through this research, rubber hosing was used as a form-work to create these smooth, curved shapes. The final product included a small amount of steel reinforcement, fibers and additive. A water reducing agent was used as an additive to the cement to increase ts fluidity. The unusually thin cement circles create a sense of intrigue that al-lows for a more intimate relationship with the user. The floating table top gives the piece a utilitarianvalue, while not taking away from the beauty of each cement surface. Materials used: cement, plastic tubing, rebar, scrap steel c-chan-nel, frosted acrylic.

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Reuse | Abandoned WheelbarrowAlyssa Redding

This chair was fabricated from an old wheel barrow. All wood and metal joints are sewn together with hemp, creating a delicate contrast to the dense steel of the wheel barrow. Redwood is paired with the natural patina of the steel, pulling together a palette of complimentary colors. Materials used: wheel barrow, scrap steel, scrap redwood, hemp cord.

Sewn Wheelbar row Chai r

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Alyssa Redding

This lamp was fabricated from a series of pasteur pipettes. These small glass tubes are used to transfer small amounts of liquid and are most commonly used in medical and scientific research. While it is common to dispose of these items after only one use in the United States, many less privileged countries reuse these items multiple times. The glass tubes are frosted to dim the 703mm LEDs wired through the pipettes.Materials used: pasteur pipettes, LEDs, wires

Pipette Lamp

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Alyssa Redding

This lamp shade and stainless steel structural system produce 0-material waste. The 22” x 33” screen paper and 300 lb. laminate sheet can be cut into 6 lamp shades. The shades are sewn together with a red thread, adding a rich contrast to the white screen paper. The shape created through the simple cuts and overall rolled paper create a subtle “S” shape because of the material properties of the paper. Three complete 36” steel pipes are cut into 6 pieces for a tiered lighting structure.Materials used: Japanese screen paper, 300lb. paper, red thread, stainless steel

Subt le Ess Lamp

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Allison Pell

The inspiration for this piece of furniture came from a sensitivity and responsibility to the environment. Trash bins, both at home and at local hardware stores, were searched to collect the necessary 80 burnt-out bulbs for this light. The interior structure of the lamp is based upon the geometric form of a sphere. The sphere was segmented into sectional planes in relation to the X, Y, and Z axis. Each of those planes was then rotated twice, at an angle of 45 degrees. Including the rotations, the complete sphere is composed of nine planes. Each plane interlocks with its neighbors, providing a self-sufficient structure.

L ights Out

Studio 400 Thes is Bookshow

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