STRUCTURAL & SENSORY SYSTEMS I

Art Center College of Design, Department of Environmental Design, Fall 2003

preliminary project statements:

"We propsose a living structure, one that acts itself as a living organism. A structure that breaths by circulating and cleaning air, collects and purifies water, stores and utilizes the sun's energy, and changes with the continuous cycles of day to night and the yearly seasons. For a structure to truly function harmoniously with nature the design should stem and mirror the structure of nature itself. Nature as the most refined and intelligent system repeats itself, structures and systems seen at atomic levels (the organization and connection of molecules and atoms) are also seen at macro cosmic levels (the planetary movements and relationships). These relationships, structures, patterns, and forms that are found on every level of nature will inform and determine the design and structural system of this project to ensure that it is a project in tune with its surroundings. Habitats should do more than provide protection and shelter. A habitat should promote growth and abundance in the environment. This project will look to nature's intelligence and utilize universal truths of form and structure to build a structure / habitat that is life supporting and in harmony with its surroundings." - trilby nelson

"Our team of students are investigating and developing a completely new way of thinking about structure, and what it can accomplish besides just providing shelter.  We will be investigating/designing a system for structure that is harmonious with the structure of nature, ie. atomic structure and cosmic structure.  It will respond to and be controlled by natural energy.  It will not only be eco-friendly, but actually enhance its surrounding environment.  It will do all of this mentioned and also integrate all human needs and natural forces." - j.r. schuler

"Imagine an ecologically-healthy living space designed in harmony with the forms and forces of the universe.  Imagine living in a space that is not seperate from nature but is part of the continuity of the universal design of life and its many manifestations, from the atom  to the planets and solar systems.  We have imagined a structural system that not only provides shelter, but also contains within it all the necessities of human life.  It is a system that provides shelter as well as feeds, warms as well as stores, responds as well as creates.  We have imagined a shelter that truely forms an intimate relationship between man, his shelter, and his world by creating a system that responds as well as enhances its environment.  Man and his shelter, can become, in our vision, part of the continum of the universe, taking as well as putting back into the flow of life.  Our students at Art Center College of Design have already imagined the possibilities of this future.  We have imagined the potential impact of such a design on the quality of life in the future.  However, our vision needs the help of knowledgable experts to bring it to life.  We are excited about the possibilites ahead and believe that your expertise would be invaluable to our research and design.  We invite you to be a part in our vision and believe that together, we can create a way of life that is truely revolutionary." - donna salazar

"By exploring and utilizing the means, systems, and patterns in which the universe composes itself, we intend to create a human habitat / modular-structural-building system that is a direct reflection, and therefore in harmonious syncronization with these universal constants, integrating principles of micro/macro relationships, sustainable energy, water, air, food and lighting utilities while actively improving upon/healing the environment where the "habitat" is imposed."
-General Wadkins

"We would like to develop a structural unit that encompasses the latest technologies as well as integrating the fundamental principles of the most primitive needs. This will evolve and expand the way we perceive our environment. This will affect and improve society down to each individual by use of all areas of study and the wealth of knowledge each area contributes."

-danielle lopez