ARCH 465 Term Portfolio 2019

`

ARCH 465: STRUCTURES II TERM PORTFOLIO

Figure 1: Origami Structure Project

By:

Jason Brostoff 05/15/2019

`

This was a homework assignment that we were told to redesign the lecture hall and create a concrete system. We chose a system that was two-way flat top with drop panels. This Assignment helped us better understand concrete structure design.

`

This semester I was able to take the final segment of the building, material and structure course sequence. The first thing that was immediately clear to me from the beginning of the semester was that I was at a disadvantage compared to many of my fellow classmates. This was largely to do with the fact that most people in the class were able to take Structures I last semester, while I had not been in a class on the topic in over two semesters. This was due to the fact that I was able to take a semester in Italy, which corresponds to when I was originally scheduled to take the course. This, however, made me studying harder at first to bring back my memory of the past course, and be able to prove that I can succeed even during struggles.

While being a senior and not a junior in the course did have its downfalls, there were also many upsides. One of the major things that were different this semester was the lighter course load that allowed me to have two internships this semester. My first internship was at an architecture firm, where I was in charge of building a model for them, and I am currently working at a small development group, where I am helping them start to develop preschools in the DMV area. I will go into how this course was used during these internships below.

The Origami Competition assignment required me to, not only learn origami but also understand how distributing weight works and by doing this, I was able to understand more clearly the natural weight distribution. This is illustrated in Appendix 1, where you will see my original assignment poster and in Figure 1, which is above on the cover page. There were two main components, to this project, that was taught through the use of origami, biomimicry and the distribution of weight. The theme of biomimicry

`

Model created for internship using chipboard and 3D printing.

`

has been woven into each aspect of the course, showing how nature created structures long before we did. There is a lot that can be learned from using ideas from nature and learning how the forces in nature work.

These two topics have already started to help me in my daily life. This was mainly seen at my two internships. While working at the architecture firm I was able to have discussions with fellow designers about a buildings column structure and how to best structure solution, including beam size, weight distribution, and column spacing.

This would then also help me better understand what is needed to make a structurally sound Âź scale model for the firm and save me time even when working at this much smaller scale. The basic knowledge that was learned this semester about beams, columns, building loads and foundations was vital to my success at my internship.

During my current internship at the development company, I have been working on research on preschool designs and other developmental aspects of starting a preschool system. The group's plan is to have 100 schools in the next 10 years, which will mean that designs need to be simple but elegant. This is where my knowledge of biomimicry has really come in handy. Through Project 2, along with Project 1, see appendix 2, I was able to get a full understanding of the topic of biomimicry and how to look into nature and pull out design ideas. (I will discuss the project more below) When designing for young children, it is important to create a space that is safe, clean and sensitive to children's needs. When you look at nature you can find solutions that hit all those marks. Nature is the perfect atmosphere for early age development, it has been

`

`

very clear, through my research, that natural light and the presence of natural materials, like wood, help development in children.

This is why we're also interested in wood structure, and how it could be applied to our needs. I was able to use my knowledge of mass-timber and cross-laminated timber from class, to help the developers better understand what we could do with those materials. It was also very rewarding when this week I was able to go to one of the Country only wood structure pre-fab panel system factory for my internship. This company builds through machines in an assembly line wood wall, ceiling, roof, and floor panels. These panels are then fitted with MEP systems, windows and doors, electrical systems and plumbing and shipped to a site, where the foundation is already in place.

It was very interesting to actually understand the different aspects of wood structure design that went into the panels. One of the most interesting things that stuck out to me was the way windows were framed, instead of using two joists that would meet at the sil on each side, the cross beams and one joist are cut perfectly to fit together allowing for a more structurally sound area and reduce the need of joists. The biggest takeaway for me this semester has to be the ability to be in a real-world setting and being able to contribute and understand what's going on.

The introduction this semester to the underlying theme of nature and biomimicry, in the class and in the needs of clients in the real world, was Project 1 where groups of two examined a piece of nature and then design a biomimicry structure. (See Appendix 2) My group designed a flexible vault that was based on the human spine. The vault would be able to easily connect and assemble together, then creating a bendable vault

`

This is the BluePrint Robotics method of building. This is the company that I visited the factory of which made wood structural panel systems.

`

system that can change sizes and locations with ease. This project really allowed us to understand biomimicry and see how nature can influence so many things in the world of design. This would lead to the next project and then my use of the knowledge in my internship and hopefully down the line.

These past three courses have given me a lot of knowledge in the design needs of materials and how to make those materials structurally work for design. It has been a true pleasure to have you as my professor and to get to learn so much about structure through nature. It allowed me to better understand the topics and interest me in more sustainable design. I hope to expand my knowledge of this topic much more in graduate school, which I start in July at the University of Miami for a Masters of Architecture and a Masters in Real Estate Development + Urbanism. I know that what I have learned in these classes will be of great use to me while I further my education.

`

Appendix 1:

`

Appendix 2: