Student of Architecture
BARRY GILBERT
"We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us"
-Winston Churchill
FORM and FUNCTION:
The Expression of Truth & Beauty
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Project Goals: To display how the form of a structure represents its intended use and function. The design process will necessitate a transformation of the original structure as the function is developed and accommodated. The transformation process, when successful, will result in beauty of expression in the form and components, as well as performing its intended function.
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The Assignment: Choose an existing fixed bridge and give it a moving component to allow a large boat to pass under the roadbed.
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The Trick: Take a household gadget or everyday item, analyze its movement mechanism, then base the bridge opening mechanism on that. Change and transform the existing bridge structure to accommodate the mechanism. The mechanism must work and be structurally feasible.
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BRIDGE/SPAN PROTOTYPES
Three Bridges were chosen to begin work. They covered 3 bridge types: Cantilever Truss, Arch and Cable-Stayed.
Howrah Bridge, Calcutta, India
190' span
Hell's Gate Bridge, Queens, NY
190' span
Mariansky Bridge, Czech Republic
190' span
MOVEMENT ANALOGIES
3 common mechanical objects were chosen for their somewhat complex, yet comprehendible mechanical movement. They are all inexpensive, hand-operated devices found around the kitchen, home or garage. The analysis of their movement would become the basis for the bridge-openeing device that would create a 30' x 40' high opening in the bridge span.
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LARGE MOUTH
VICE GRIP PLIERS
EUROPEAN CABINET HINGE
ONE HANDED
HEDGE TRIMMER
LARGE MOUTH VICE GRIP PLIERS MOVEMENT
ONE HANDED HEDGE CLIPPER MOVEMENT
EUROPEAN CABINET HINGE, MOVEMENT FROM DOOR CLOSED TO DOOR 90 DEGREES OPEN
COMBINATION TABLE
( 3 movement analogies combined with 3 bridges and the necessary modification and transformation of the bridge structures necessary)
MECHANISM
(European Cabinet Hinge)
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DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
(Adapting the mechanism and the stayed-cable bridge structure to work together to accommodate movement and a 30' x 40' opening)