An Ever-Changing Tessellation
DESCRIPTION OF CONCEPT
The solar powered shelter we designed has 2 configurations, and is very slowlyswitching from one configuration to the other, according to how much solar energy itreceives. These micro-variations are inspired by how climate change and events related to itare only truly visible after months or years of observation, at which point we understand theimpact they can have on our environment. On sunny days, the shelter expands and on cloudy days it contracts. The solar panelswhich power it are planted in the field next to it, and can be manually rotated to face the sunat all times of the day, to allow the structure to store a maximum of energy. The purpose ofthis interaction is two-fold. First, it presents the expansion of our environment (the shelter)as dependant upon nature's cooperation (sunlight). Second, it implies that if we want ourenvironment to flourish, we must help and empower nature to do so for us (directing thesolar panels). Indeed, nature's role in the molding of our environment cannot be bypassed. To create the expanding and contracting structure we had envisioned, we decided towork with origami tessellation patterns. The surface easily flattens into a sheet, or gainsvolume and becomes an umbrella made of triangles. The structure's transformation isregulated by pulleys placed at strategic angles of the structure that draw the corners awayfrom each other, thus flattening parts of the sheet. The 2 triangles at the base of the wallsections (currently in wood) are completely static and strongly bolted into the ground suchas to be the foundation of the structure. When the structure is in its expanded form, thefolds in the side panels readjust with pulleys in order to give the proper tilt to the roof.
COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
Part of the dialog on climate change involves the importance of eating local food to lessen our carbon footprint. Since fresh food markets are so relevant in this context and that many Concordia students are involved with such initiatives, we got in touch with CycleAlimenTerre, an urban agriculture initiative using backyards and underused green spaces ofNDG to increase access to fresh, naturally grown produce. They showed great interest in using the shelter as a market space. They also assured us of Loyola's City Farm School and LePetit Velo Rouge's interest in getting exposure through the use of that public space. IndeedCity Farm School also grows a lot of food at Loyola and have markets twice a week. Le Petit Velo Rouge could organize bike sales, which would also tie in to the attention given to sustainable transportation. The stage aspect of the shelter could also be appealing to performance groups like Concordia's Music Club which is regularly hosting Open Mic events and could thus reach out to Loyola students outside of their limited community.Students have suggested that they definitely do not want wind protection to be compromised and would possibly like to benefit from solar energy by having a heated bus stop, which we would certainly want to implement.
(Competitor's text)
This proposal is creative and proposes am expanded interpretation of the shelter.
It is quite very symbolic in terms of form, with its expandable structure.
It has considered the variety of programs and how the community can participate to a variety of events on off peak use times of the bus shelter. There are two main fallbacks: First, it does not have any enclosed area, so people using this shelter would be freeze in the extreme winter weather. Second, it is too costly to build because of its complex flexible structure - it is far beyond the budget as it is proposed.
(From jury report)
6 scanned / 6 viewable
- Schema
- Presentation Panel
- Perspective
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- Perspective
- Site Plan
