REMNANT Thesis Project

DeepaSampat,

REMNANT

JadayneSmith

Design Intent

In life, the growing tree provides shelter and vitalresourcesformanycreatures.

In death, the tree’s remains continue to provide as it is taken over by an active eco-system.

The intention behind this design is to pay respect to the cycles of nature and the constantroleatreeplaysinit.

Concept Sketches

Theoutershellisinspiredbytherootsofthetree transitioningtothetrunk.Thisisrepresentedby agreatdealofmovementandfoldinglayers.

Clay Study

IdeationofLayersandInterconnection

Relationship to the ground

Generally, the design creates opportunities for the decomposition of plant matter and for the underside of the form to be taken over by plants and insects. Incorporated into the design is a low seat which is at the ideal position for a person to observe the insect habitat. The natural flow of the design also allows the human to be a part of the experience. They become wrapped in the footprint of what was once a great tree.

Soilfromthesiteisplacedinthegroovesofthetop

surfaceprovidingvisualandtexturalcontrastaswell asactingasaninsecthighway.

Channelsandopeningsarealsoincorporatedinthe topsurfacetogivemorespacesforcreaturestoaccess andoccupy.

Half-scaled installation (Fall 2023)

Cracking of 3d-printed parts

Elements of Remnant

The under belly of the design is a porous, basket-like structure that supports an emerging habitatforsmallcreatures.Itismeanttobefilled with compost (vegetation, soil and fruits cleared from the site). The compost attracts insects becoming a food source while being aerated by theinsects’movement.

Dimensions

Ground

REMNANT Assembly

3D Printed Arch

Finished concrete layer Plywood proﬁle shapes Wire mesh

Wooden Seat

Woven Net

Crafted from handwoven jute ropes in a labor-intensive process, the woven net delicately drapes beneath the REMNANT structure. Its purpose is to attract the ground pollinators into the installation, offering them a unique opportunity to engage with the installation.

Structural Configuration

Sample

CNC

3D print Sample

Concrete Study

Cast Footing Study

Night Render

Thank you DeepaSampat, JadayneSmith

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REMNANT Thesis Project

Published on Apr 23, 2024

Jadayne Smith

REMNANT is a pollinator habitat located in the Kampong National Tropical Botanical Garden in Coconut Grove, Miami. The focus of this thesis studio is to design and build a structure which caters to the local Miami insects and small animals that assist in the pollination of native flora present at the Kampong. These structures also allow humans to observe life at a smaller scale. As one of four projects selected to be constructed, REMNANT seeks to explore the theme of decay and transformation. Inspired initially by a fallen tree on the Kampong site, the concept developed around the ways in which death can facilitate life. With time, the structure itself may decay and be transformed by the activity of insects and plants. The practical aspects of this project became a semester long study on materiality, structure and fabrication. Utilizing the fabrication resources at the SoA, REMNANT has explored the transition from the digital to the physical to unearth that which remains.