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BURNING MAN RETREAT GEORGE GUEST DS 10 W135694551

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BRIEF 1 - SYSTEMS

A six week study, and a period in which to learn new software and concepts, as well as develop your documentation/ layout strategy, and in doing so develop an arsenal of digital and representational skills which will be incorporated in your later work. This will be achieved through the exploration of a number of generative systems that may be natural, structural, geometrical, physical or mathematical...etc... They will be explored in depth and used as a basis for design within brief 2.

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WASP NESTNATURE

Wasps create their nests by chewing on wood pulp, mix-ing it with saliva and producing a papery substance that is layered up into a nest form. The coloured stripes of a nest are created by the various pigments in the wood pulp or other cellulose that the wasp chews. Using this papery substance enables the wasp to construct cells to house the development of their new breed whilst also being used as a protective envelope to protect the colony from predators. The envelope is built up into many layers using a shell like structure to add strength.

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The arrangement of a wasp nest has a relatively simple arrangement. The complex aspect of it comes when a signifi-cant amount of wasps working on the nest at one time results in a varied arrangement of envelope structure and comb size.

NEST STRUCTURE

Combs containing Cells

Protective Envelope

Entrance

Pedicel

Constructed from a composite of wood pulp chewed from fences and trees with the wasps saliva. This forms a hard paper mache type substance in which to protect the brood from predators.

The breeding grounds for future worker wasps. The Queen lays her eggs within the cells which develop over time to form the next generation of workers.

Built or reinforced with shell-like structures usually less than 10mm in breadth; lines of construction often tightly arced structures superimposed upon each other like roof tiles or fish scales.

Usually at the bottom of the nest until it reaches an age and size where the complexity of it has reached levels where there are many entrances and pathways to the combs.

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In nest construction, many social wasps use an oral secretion to cement together nest material such as wood pulp, primar-ily composed of cellulose. Nests are water-resistant due to the saliva-cellulose matrix. The chitin-like saliva is primarily protein with a high proline content. When mixed with the cel-lulose, it dries quickly and irreversibly to a water insoluble, water repellant surface.

For nests in locations more susceptible to rain the pulp mixture has a higher percentage of saliva, thus keeping the breeding cells dry.

NEST MATERIALSWOOD PULP

WOOD PULP GATHERINGThe wasp gathers the pulp by scraping at wood such as fences using its sharp horizontal acting mandibles. This is chewed repeatedly mixing with the wasps saliva to create a paper mache type material that is stored in the mouth.

WOOD PULP MATERIALThis image shows a microscopic view of the pulp. The strands of wood overlap each other whilst bonding with the saliva. This creates a very strong material that is easy to apply due to its pliable liquid state.

PULP APPLICATIONThe pulp is secreted from wasps mouth and applied to the existing nest material using the wasps mandibles. This image demonstrates how moist the material is during the application process.

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INITIAL NEST CONSTRUCTIONQUEENS NEST

The Queen wasp locates a suitable site for her colony, usu-ally in a sheltered area such as in a loft or shed. Construc-tion begins on her own, creating a golf ball shaped nest for breeding the first of her workers. These initial queen nests tend to be very uniform as she is working alone using one method and one template for construction. A simple arrange-ment of stem, cells and envelope provide the perfect envi-ronment for the colony to begin.

When the first of the workers are hatched from their cells, the queen steps down and they take over. This is where the nest becomes more and more complex over time as different work occurs at once by a number of wasps all using slightly varying templates of construction based on the current state of the nest.

The Queen begins construction of the outer envelope and the first of the cells used for breeding her first members of the colony.

The secondary envelope is now complete making the nest roughly the size of a golf ball.

Work begins to extend the existing envelope whilst another construction on another envelope begins.

The envelope will be continually expanded until the Queens eggs develop into the first of the worker wasps. These work-ers will then take over the construction work whilst begin-ning to add on new combs of cells and protective envelope.

Once the Queen has located a suitable location for her colony work begins on the construction of the main stem. This is the nests backbone from which it is hung.

The outer cover construction progresses whilst work begins on a secondary cover.

Time

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Using Rhino 3d to model the general formations of a wasp nest allowed for a deeper exploration into the process of creation undertaken by the wasp. The wasp creates its nest by starting with the initial form at the stem and working its way down overlapping the envelope as it grows. This pro-duces the bulbous overlapping appearance commonly seen on wasp nests.

DIGITAL EXPLORATIONINITIAL STUDY

CONSTRUCTING THE ENVELOPE

4 Points Arrayed Surface from 4 points Rebuild Surface Move surface points Rebuild Surface Overlap surfaces and manipulate points

Full nest model Section through nest

The overlapping process begins with the creating of a single panel that is manipulated into an arched form. This is then copied and overlapped over itself. The points are then manipulated on this new arch in order to intersect with the first. This process is repeated until the desired form with the desired number of panels is created as shown in the im-ages on the right.

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PARAMETRIC EXPLORATION LAYERED BUILD UP PROCESS

The modelling technique used here to explore the layered build up approach to nest construction enables a better understanding of the process of construction used by the wasp. As the physical modelling revealed, it is only possible to construct a form like the wasp nest in layers, otherwise it would collapse on itself in one large dome form before the material would dry.

This process here begins with the construction of a single envelope. When this envelope reaches a certain size, the next envelope is triggered to grow off it. This process repeats continuously as the nest grows. This is the same method that wasps use on there nests and therefore is the most accurate and useful technique explored so far in terms of construction.

Initial growth of first envelope about point 1. Other points ready for growth.

Third Envelope growth continues

Initial growth of first envelope continues

Next envelope growth triggered about fourth point

Next envelope growth triggered from first envelope about point two

Fourth envelope growth continues

Second envelope growth continues

Next envelope growth triggered about fifth point

Next envelope growth triggered about third point

Fifth envelope growth continues

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Mimicking the process and materials used by wasps in the creation of the nest I was able to produce a form of similar form and strength. A wasp uses wood shavings and saliva in order to create there pulp however I substituted this for saw dust and PVA glue in order to produced a similar texture wood pulp.

By building up in layers I was able to form domes and double curved surfaces with ease. It would not be possible to build the whole dome up immediately as the wood pulp is a thick liquid which can only be managed in small quantities.

When the forms have created valleys between them it allows for new layers to be bridged between them using the existing structural properties to grow from.

This process produced very strong, stable and organ-ic forms perfect for the protection of the wasps brood.

NEST CONSTRUCTIONSAW DUST MACHE

Application of pulp Result: Success - Wood Pulp Nest FormWood Pulp production

1 part saw dust 1.5 part PVA glue

Mix together Wood pulp

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BRIEF 2BURNING MAN FESTIVALStudents will propose beautiful and programmatically responsible low cost temporary structures with the aim of inspiring awe, against the dramatic backdrop of alter-native culture and unique urban planning experimentation that is the Burning Man Festival.

This small scale project should focus on architectural qualities, as much as numerical quantities, as well as providing a hugely interesting social and cultural backdrop, and should allow explorations of self sufficiency, economies of material, urban development and deployable temporary structures.

Proposals should each have an embedded program which relates to your Brief 1 research and allows for closed loops systems requiring very little external input in terms of materials, energy and financing.

Develop a low cost fabrication logic which can be easily assembled and disassembled and takes advantage of the existing context. The system should be digitally cali-brated through the use of environmental and structural analysis.

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BURNING MAN FESTIVALBLACK ROCK DESERT, NEVADA, USA

The Burning Man Festival is a week-long annual event held in the Black Rock Desert in northern Nevada, in the United States

Taking its name from the ritual burning of a large wooden effigy on the Saturday evening, it is described by many as an experiment in community, art, radical self-expression, and radical self-reliance.

The festival and its community adopt 10 key principles by which to participate with, these include;

radical inclusiongiftingdecommodificationradical self-relianceradical self-expressioncommunal effortcivic responsibilityleaving no traceparticipationimmediacy

United States of America Nevada Black Rock Desert

Black Rock City

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Black Rodck City is the name given to the temporary city at the Burning Man Festival. The developed part of the city is arranged as a series of concentric streets in an arc compos-ing, two-thirds of a 1.5-mile diameter circle with the Man Sculpture and his supporting structure at the very center. Radial streets, called Avenues, extend from the Man to the outermost circle.

The masterplan was designed by architect Rod Garrett who based the form on being able to see the burning man from everywhere and being able to see everywhere from the burning man.

The burning mans location enables the festival goers to locate themselves based on the orientation of the man whilst also giving everyone a sense of unity.

‘...creates an icon and an environment in which it felt as if each participant was co-related — while united by some transcendent principal.’

BLACK ROCK CITYARRANGEMENT

Burning Man Location

Location for art/ installations

Camp Sites

Site plan showing arrangement of camps to central burning man figure

The extreme environment that the festival is situated in is one of the events major excitements. The survival in such harsh conditions encourages groups of people to adopt a commu-nal effort which consists of constructing shelters and pavil-lions for anyone to use. This is one of the main principles for the festival and when the weather strikes, the help of each other and the shelters provided offer protection when it is most needed.

Sand Storms

‘Instead of completely circling the wagons, we invite the natural world to intrude. We will never further close that arc, as it is humbling to have the vast desert and sky intrude into our self-styled small world.’

As Rod Gerrett explains, the desert storms are allowed to in-trude on the site, this means that people inhabit shelters and installations in a bid to escape the harsh environment.

Intense Sun

Located in the middle of the Nevada desert, the site is ob-viously a target for intense sun to penetrate. Shelters and installations are again used to escape the heat when at its hottest point around midday.

Shelters

Popular shelters tend to be the ones that encourage social in-teraction rather than escaping to a tent. Being able to escape from the elements whilst still being able to share the space with other people is vital for encouraging its use.

HARSH ENVIRONMENTNEVADA DESERT

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SUN/WIND CONDITIONSBURNING MAN FESTIVAL 2012

Prevailing Winds Sun Path August 2012 Burning Man Festival 2012 Weather Conditions

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This set of information presents the extreme weather that the festival is struck by each year. Prevailing winds head in a North-easterly direction cutting through the heart of the site. The solar radiation is at its peak at this time of year and can reach highs of over 100 °F. Between 12am and 4pm is where the sun is at its hottest point throughout the day and revolves around the South side of the site.

This presents a lot of useful information that will help with the orientation and design of my proposal.

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Small spaces separate from the rest of a larger area make for cosier more relaxing spaces. This is one reason children make dens in their bedrooms in order to create cosy spaces. Soft materials and warm colours also help to enhance this effect.

SMALL COSY SPACESPRECEDENTS

Cosiness Examples

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The festival site is surrounded by dramatic mountains and impressive sunsets that complement the extremities of the event itself. Along with the impressive array of art, sculpture and of course the burning man, there is a variety of different points of interest that would work well if framed from within the design.

Working with artists and sculptors in order to align there work with the direction of the views would benefit the design as well as the artist. It would present a unique view of the site whilst increasing the exposure for the artists work.

CAPTURING VIEWSSIGHTS OF INTEREST

Mountainous Backdrop

Awe inspiring mountains sur-round three sides of the site providing an impressive view from the playa. The image here demonstrates the beauty held within the views of the moun-tains almost like a painting.

Center Camp

One of the main attractions on the site that draws people in from all sides of the camp. Pro-viding food and rest in a large dome , this is one of the most significant points of interest on the site.

Art installations

Installations are positioned throughout the playa provide large and small points of interest that draw crowds from around the site. These vary in location and type so working with other artists would be vital to capture views of these objects.

Desert Skies

The skies hanging over the playa are gloriously blue with occasional cloud passing by. Framing the views of the sky on site creates a natural moving image that can be watched for hours.

The Burning Man

Towering above the rest of the site at over 20 meters high in previous years, the burning man is the center piece of the festival. It provides the climax of the week when it is set alight yet also provides a way point in or-der for people to work out where they are on the site.

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‘Burning Man is devoted to acts of gift giving. The value of a gift is unconditional. Gifting does not contemplate a return or an exchange for something of equal value.’

Burning Man, 2013

At Burning Man Festival there is no exchange of money at all leaving Burners to rely on the exchange of gifts. These gifts do not necessarily require a reciprocating gift as this can take away from the kind act of gift giving. It is an act of kindness opposed to an enforced transaction. If someone feels they would like to offer thanks for a persons services of kindness then this can be offered in the form of a gift.

Burners who make use of the relaxation pods within the pro-posal will have the opportunity if they desire to offer thanks in the form of gifts that can be left within the gifting pods for the construction team that put up structure. The gift offered by the construction team is the proposal for anyone who wishes to use it.

THE ART OF GIFTINGEXCHANGE GIFTS NOT MONEY

Gifting Examples

1. Hugs2. Fruit3. Water4. Homemade Necklaces5. Poems6. Sand Storm Masks7. Public Art

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Through my research into wasps nests and there method of protecting their newborn with a layered material I have managed to explore this in such a way that has led me to be-come particularly interested in the forms I created using their technique of construction. The dome like pods that seemed like they could house small insects provide the perfect oppor-tunity to be scaled up in order to create a habitable structure for the burning man festival.

In order for the design to be constructed cheaply and effi-ciently the domes were simplified through the use of multiple pieces of flat panels which created similar habitable domes yet at a much larger scale.

DEVELOPMENT FROM THE NESTWASP NEST TO HUMAN NEST

Wasp Nest showing repeated dome pattern Dome Pattern Explored through layered wood pulp model Exploring the form as flat panels forming angular shape Form generated through the use of flat panels to create angular domes

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ZONAL ARRANGEMENTARRANGING THE PODS

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1. Relaxation Pods2. Ventilation/Gifting Pods3. Sheltered external space

‘Relaxation Pods’ arranged with orientation towards areas of interest. Some pods connect revealing hidden spaces only visible within.

Diagrammatic Layout shows cental areas for relaxation spaces, the south side where sand will cover for additional pods and sheltered from sun and wind on the north side.

‘Ventilation/Gifting Pods’ arranged in shade and where sand will insulate over time.

3 Dimensional Arrangementshows intersection of zones and additional pods enabling ventilation and spaces for gifts to be left.

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SECTION A-A ARRANGEMENT

Gifting/Ventilation Pods Internal Sheltered Relaxation Space External Wind Sheltered Space

Section A-A

A-A

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The Orientation of the design and the angle of its geometries are based entirely on the site around it. Using the sun paths and prevailing winds determines the overall shape and orientation whilst the points of interest on site determined the openings that capture these. Through this rigorous design process comfortable relaxing pods are created that also provide areas of shelter from the wind external. This will be tested with more rigour in dedicated environmental software in order to test this approach to the site.

INITIAL PLANORIENTATED ON SITE

[Academic use only] 121125_Site Plan.dgn 25/11/2012 19:35:44

Views from pod openings

Sun Path

Prevailing Winds

Wind Sheltered zones

Design Location on site

North

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At Burning Man Festival there is no change of money on site at all. In order to survive one can offer gifts no matter how small or large in exchange for another revellers gift. This may be swapping food for a bike light or a place to stay over night if your lost in exchange for a story. A gift can be any-thing.

In order to survive at the festival the shelter proposal would be used as a gift offering. In order for people to take shelter within the cosy spaces to relax they are encouraged to of-fer a gift in return. This is where the gift pods come in. The pods that have been covered with sand over the course of a week will be the coolest part of the spaces. Being small and completely insulated from the sun and kept cool using the covering sand they make the perfect place to leave food and drinks as well as other offerings. This will encourage users to not take advantage of the amazing internal spaces but to offer thanks for being provided with such an enclosure in which to inhabit.

SAND COVERED COOLING GIFT PODSUSING THE STRUCTURE AND ENVIRONMENT TO GIFT

Natural sand covering process

Openings

Direction of sand movement

Gifting Pods

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In order to keep the relaxation pods cool in the vast heats of the playa a natural ventilation system will be used, This takes advantage of the gifting pods present around the perimeter of the main spaces. By connecting each space and opening using the additional pods, the spaces are ventilated by the continuous flow of air throughout the space. This is a relatively straight forward method that consist of an entrance and exit for the air to flow in and out of.

VENTILATIONKEEPING THE BURNERS COOL

Pods used to connect all larger spaces together for ventilation purposes.Ventilation Pods

Openings

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Using Vasari, an environmental analysis tool I was able to test my design against the prevailing winds that would be hitting it when on site. The orientation of the design was such that during sand storms ,usually in a north-easterly direc-tion, would prevent the openings from filling with sand. As the openings are on the North side of the design there will be minimal impact from the sand storm. The analysis results show that pockets of clean air space are created behind the taller structures therefore creating more habitable zones during extreme conditions.

WIND TUNNEL ANALYSISVASARI

160m/s

0m/s

Wind Speed

2d Wind movement through design showing route over time

3d Wind movement through design revealing hidden spaces from wind

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Using ecotect environmental analysis software I was able to test the design of the inhabitable pods against the solar conditions that will occur during the exact date of the festival, 26 August to 2nd September 2013, and in the exact location of the site. This has enabled me to understand whether my thinking during the design process of orientating the geom-etries in the way I did based on wind and sun paths would be successful.

The results here show that the North-easterly side of the geometry represented in darker shades of colour. This is the side upon which my openings were carefully designed in order to orientate towards points of interest on the site. This therefore shows that the orientation of the design is at its most efficient in terms of solar shading the internal spaces.

From this I am now able to successfully choose which panels to remove for the openings that will allow the least impact from the sun

SOLAR ANALYSISECOTECT

Solar analysis using sun path of 26 August - 2 September 2013 at Black Rock City, Nevada, USA between 12am and 5pm (the hottest part of the day)

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Solar Radiation

Northern shaded regions offer more efficient zones for openings

Shaded external space formed by shadows of taller pods

South facing facade faces the harshest of the days sun

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The orientation of the opening faces are such that they capture snippets of points of interest on the site. The burn-ing man itself along with views of the dramatic sunsets and sunrises over the surrounding mountains are striking oppor-tunities to capture. The constantly changing sky is another point of interest that when framed within the openings of the pods act as a constantly moving image that can be watched for hours.

I would also like to potentially collaborate with other burn-ing man artists and sculptors in order to capture glimpses of other works of art on the playa. This would involve orientat-ing their work in line with other potential openings in the facade. Using the results from the solar analysis would pro-vide information on which panels could be removed without impacting on the solar shading within the spaces.

CAPTURED SITE VIEWSOPENING ALIGNMENTS

1. Sunset 2. Sky glimpse 3. Sky glimpse 2 4. Burning man 5. Sunrise 6. Collaboration art[Academic use only] 121125_Site Plan.dgn 25/11/2012 19:35:44

North

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In order to make the small spaces even more appealing and intriguing materiality is being used to enhance this. By applying sand to the outer face of the ply wood this not only helps to blend the structure into the landscape but it also creates a harsh texture which combined with the use of soft padded velvet material internally creates an incredible con-trast that will give the internal space the ultimate feeling of cosiness and comfort. This is important in order to make the spaces feel as protective as possible from the harsh condi-tions of the desert.

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALSCONTRAST TO ENHANCE COMFORT

Contrast in materials between external and internal.

Sand Coated Plywood

Soft padded felt interior for comfort

Aerial view of proposal demonstrating the contrast between internal and external materials and feel.

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BLACK ROCK SANDSTONE FORMING SANDSTONE USING THE DESERT SAND

A readily available material on the playa is sand. This is the base product of sandstone of which I explored in previous research. The outcome from my research found that it is possible to use an environmentally friendly PVA style glue to bind the sand together forming a solid building material.

The benefits of using this environmentally friendly glue called ‘ECOS PVA glue’ is that when left in water for a period of 24 hours or so it breaks down enabling the sand to simply crumble back into its original form. As there are no harmful toxins or chemicals in the glue just natural elements this means it could be used for the main building material for this project.

At the end of the festival the aim is to ‘leave no trace’ of ever being there so to preserve the environment. As the site is a dry lake bed that refills with water when the hot season is over the structure could be left to dissolve itself in the lake. This would reduce the need for transporting the material away, remove the need to recycle or use it as rubble and would leave completely no trace whatsoever.

The sandstone is formed by layering up the pulp formed by mixing sand and ECOS PVA glue together. When the material has set in a 1200 by 1400 frame it can then be milled using a CNC machine to cut the desired shapes needed to build the proposal.

1 part dry fine sand

1.5 part PVA glue

Mix together to form pulp

Mold prepared

Application of sand layer

Application of sand layer

Compression

Finished layer

Repeat the process

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Maximum CNC bed size of which all facets fit within.

CNC cut line to produce shape from flat bed of sandstone.

Sandstone slab prepared for CNC milling process

Forming the Pulp Layering Formation

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CONSTRUCTION PREPARATION: MAIN ZONESCNC DRAWINGS AND ARRANGEMENT

40mm Ply

Recyclable underlay

Fabric covering

Steel Bracket

Inset 1mm diameter steel bolt

Pod 1

Pod 2

Pod 6

Pod 3

Pod 7

Pod 4

Pod 8

Pod 5

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Individual Panels for CNC machining on site Connection Detail Exploded axo of CNC panels

Numbered Pods guide

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SECTION THROUGH PODSIN USE

Pod openings/Viewing frames Coarse sand exterior

Soft padded felt interior

Access to attached pod

Ventilation/gifting pods

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CAPTURED VIEWSINTERNAL VISUALIZATION

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SOUTH FACING FACADEDAY VISUALIZATION

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CLIMBING THE STRUCTUREDAY VISUALIZATION

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NORTH FACING NIGHTNIGHT VISUALIZATION

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NORTH ELEVATIONIN USE