LEGEND OF THE PHOENIX

The Sweet Sounding Cry CONCEPTUALIZATION

The phoenix was a legendary bird connected with sun worship in ancient Egypt and Classical antiquity. The Egyptian phoenix was said to be the size of an eagle, with bright scarlet and gold plumage and a sweet-sounding cry. There was only one phoenix at any given period, and it lived for a very long time—no ancient source gave it a life span of less than 500 years. As its time came to pass, the phoenix built a nest of aromatic branches and spices, set it ablaze, and was consumed by the flames. After embalming its father’s ashes in an egg of myrrh, the phoenix flew with the ashes to Heliopolis (“City of the Sun”) in Egypt, where it deposited them on the altar in the temple of the Egyptian deity of the sun. According to one version of the tale, the dying phoenix flew to Heliopolis and immolated itself in the altar fire, from which the young phoenix rose. The Egyptians linked the phoenix to eternity, and this symbolism was popular in late antiquity. The phoenix was associated with eternal Rome, and it appears on late Roman Empire coinage as an emblem of the Eternal City. It was also widely understood as a metaphor of resurrection and life after death, which resonated with emergent Christianity. In Islamic mythology, the phoenix was associated with the “anqa” (Persian: smorgh), a huge mysterious bird (probably a heron) that was created by God with all perfections but later became a plague and was killed.

I will be creating a mechanism that can be attached to a source of light in order to create a reimagining of sort on the resurrection and life after death through referencing the immolated Phoenix in the altar fire, from which the young phoenix rose and began a new life. Upon completion, the mechanism would allow the user to extend or retract the “lamp shades” as they seem fit to hopefully create a unique visual experience.

Bibliography

Phoenix (no date) Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Available at: https:// www.britannica.com/topic/ phoenix-mythological-bird (Accessed: March 22, 2023).

The curious symbolism of the Phoenix in literature and myth (2021) Interesting Literature. Available at: https://interestingliterature. com/2021/04/phoenix-symbolism-in-literature-and-myth/ (Accessed: March 22, 2023).

History of the City Bird (no date) City of Phoenix. Available at: https:// www.phoenix.gov/pio/ official-city-bird-logo/ history-of-the-city-bird#:~:text=The%20phoenix%20 bird%20symbolizes%20 immortality,associated%20 with%20the%20sun%20 god. (Accessed: March 22, 2023).

(“phoenix allegory flying over Egypt”)

(“The Egyptian phoenix the size of an eagle, with bright scarlet and gold plumage and a sweet sounding cry”)

All three images illustrate The phoenix burning itself to ashes after 500 years of living and emerges again having its youth restored.

1- [image obtained through the Manuscript of Physiologus “Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 6908 (Fürstenfelder Physiologus), folio 85r” Produced 14th century Munich, Germany].

2- The burning building could be a reference to one account of the story: A cleric at Heliopolis covers an altar with twigs in early spring. The phoenix arrives in town, sees the altar, starts a fire on it, and is consumed by it. [image obtained through the Manuscript of “Bestiaire of Guillaume le Clerc” Produced in France, end of the 13th century].

3- [image obtained through the Manuscript of “Aberdeen University Library, Univ. Lib. MS 24 (Aberdeen Bestiary), folio 56r” produced in England c 1200.

As the model is pulled upwards the double gear mechanism allows for the arms to open up and extend.

In addition to that as the model slides up, the tension created from the model being pulled away from the base allows the second part of the hand to extend due to the strings being attached to the base.

Explanation

In order to extend the arms of the model one must pull up on the handle to allow the gears to rotate and extend the arms out to its final form.

As the arms are being extended, the light in the middle of the form would begin to slowly reveal its self until it is fully exposed, releasing the light into its surroundings as a symbol of the phoenix being risen

Physical presentation of how the tension from the string allows the arm to extend when being pulled.

Once I made sure that the arms truly worked how I first imagined it I began on solidifying the design and tweaking it for a more reliable pull.

My model’s vision was created in the hopes of capturing the elegance and transformative power of fire through all of the tales told about the phoenix.

Explanation

As the model slides up and opens its arms to allow the light to escape and shine through the fabrics, it shows as if the phoenix has risen from its ashes to begin a new existence full of promise.

It represents hope and resilience in the face of adversity, as it cycles through life and transformation, teaching us to accept change, let go of the past, and have confidence in the future.

PHISICAL STILL VARIANTS (VISION)

Mechanical Outcome

The overall torque or the arms would ultimately end up breaking the handle where all the parts would connect to one another. The only work around that found works is having only one arm attached to the handle as the stress points would only occur in one spot rather than four which resulted in a working representation of how the model would work if made in a stronger material.

WORKING MODEL VARIANT (MECHANICAL)

Design Concept

Light source would create a diamond like appearance once lit resembling the burning and rebirth transformative power of fire.

As the model lifts its arms and spreads them, the light permeates through the fabrics, giving an impression of a phoenix emerging from the ashes, ready to start a new life filled with hope and potential.

The dazzling display can evoke feelings of joy, excitement, and wonder, as people are drawn to the radiant light and stunning beauty of its display. It would also allow for the people to have the sense of hope and resilience that the phoenix had once accomplished through the various iterations throughout history.

Assembly stages

Light Source

The diamond reflections creates a stunning and dazzling display of colour and brilliance. The light bounces off the multiple facets of the diamond facade, creating a unique and mesmerizing visual effect. This reflection can transform the appearance of the room it is placed in, enhancing its natural beauty and creating a stunning display of light and colour.

The design comes in two variants, variant one is a portable lamp that could be moved around and placed in any room/scenario the individual pleases. While the second variant is more of a permanent feature in a room where the design is scaled up and is placed into the ceiling to create the stunning visual effects of the product to showcase in its fullest potential.

Mechanical motor that allows for the individual to dim or lighten the room by either retracting or extending the arms to control the amount of light passes through the fabrics.

A rope of sort would be connected to the motor and is responsible for the arms to move up or down to control the dimming.

Lastly upon turning off the lights, the form would automatically close up and retract in. while on the other hand when the lights turn on the form would extend and reveal its self as it brightens the room with its dazzling display.

Electrical Components

Overall if I am being honest the starting point might have messed me up a bit, instead of creating and experimenting with different ways of creating a muscle, skin, and bone movement I ended up rushing into a final form from the very start and ended up creating the model and figure out its mechanism in a very short amount of time as I have misunderstood the assignment.

I ended up following the example posters posted up on canvas not knowing that the posters represented how our finals would look like in the end of the semester and not how they would turn out at the end of week 4. This resulted in me having very little to show for the second part of the project as I have basically showed everything there is to show in the first part due to rushing into things and misunderstanding the task at hand.

Additionally, regarding my physical model. The results of my final physical model happened to be underwhelming to say the least. Having to 3D print the model might not have been the best idea as some of the thin layers would end up being too brittle which resulted in those spots to break easily.

The overall torque or the arms would ultimately end up breaking the handle where all the parts would connect to one another, The only work around that I found works is having only one arm attached to the handle as the stress points would only occur in one spot rather than four which resulted in a working representation of how the model would work if made in a stronger material.

All things considered I have learned some valuable lessons throughout this unit, and it was nice to experience what goes through the mechanical side of design rather than only focusing on the aesthetics parts of it.

1. Architecture should communicate a story because it engages and connects with people on an emotional level, creating a meaningful experience.

2. AI will change the role of architects by automating certain tasks, enhancing design possibilities, and improving efficiency in areas like modelling, analysis, and simulation.

3. AI will change the architectural design process by providing new tools for generating and exploring design options, optimizing performance and sustainability, and facilitating data-driven decision-making.

Week 2: From research to experimentation

1. A 2D line drawing suggests an image of a 3D object by using perspective, proportions, and shading techniques to convey depth and form.

2. Images of a 3D object suggest movement over time by capturing different perspectives or angles, showing sequential views, or using techniques like motion blur or time lapse photography.

3. Video recording/photography allows designers to observe and analyse the object/subject from different viewpoints, study its behaviour, capture spatial relationships, and identify design opportunities.

Week 3: From experimentation to documentation

1. Documenting with Images only would allow for the individual to capture what what has been envisioned but could also create confusion as to what is the purpose or what is happening for the individual viewing.

2. Documenting with words only would allow for the individual imagine what is being said however it could easily be misunderstood or miss visioned what the concept actually represents.

3. Documenting with line drawings only would give a better understanding for movements in an object but with no context the individual would struggle to grasp what is actually happening and would ultimately result in confusion over the drawings.

Week 5: From experimentation to design

1. Architecture can communicate emotively with its occupants through the use of spatial qualities, materials, lighting, colours, textures, and sensory elements that evoke certain emotions or experiences.

2. To ensure the design communicates the idea accurately, designers should consider the audience’s perspective, provide contextual information, use clear and concise visual language, and engage in effective storytelling techniques.

3. Designers can make sure their visualizations and representations of the design communicate the idea accurately by using appropriate graphic techniques, visual hierarchy, composition, and accurate depiction of spatial qualities.

Week 6: From design to development

1. Design variations may impact fabrication processes by requiring customized manufacturing techniques, specialized tools, or adjustments in production workflows and schedules.

2. Line drawings can also be used to explore and communicate concepts, illustrate spatial sequences, analyse material flows, depict structural systems, and convey design intentions.

Week 7: From development to attachment

1. In addition to the design, architects can use elements like lighting, acoustics, materials, textures, furniture, landscaping, and signage to create a specific atmosphere and communicate the intended experience of the space.

Week 9: Architecture performing art through technology

1. The art of my design is that as the model lifts its arms and spreads them, the light permeates through the fabrics, giving an impression of a phoenix emerging from the ashes, ready to start a new life filled with hope and potential. I represented this by showing the movement of my model through the images.

2. The challenges faced in representing the art of my project is Capturing the movement element with pictures and annotations.

3. The technology I used I primarily a muscle and bone movement by attaching a string to the arms of the model to allow it to flex and extend, I represent this through various iterations of both physical pictures and digital drawings.

4. The challenges I faced in representing this ‘technology’ is making sure the individual understands the mechanics of the model through pictures and iterations.

Week 10: Design as storytelling and as reflective practice

1. Structuring visual and verbal design communication is important for clarity, engagement, coherence, and professionalism in presentations.

2. Structuring textual descriptions in folios is important for clarity, conciseness, and conveying the steps and rationale of the design process effectively.

3 Yes, I consciously structured design communications in previous projects by organizing content logically, creating narratives, and ensuring coherence and professionalism.

4. Yes, will consciously structure design communications in future projects by organizing content, creating engaging narratives, and maintaining coherence and professionalism in order to effectively convey design concepts.