4.182: Architectural Design Workshop
Fabricating the Float
Instructor: J. Meejin Yoon
Telephone: 617-452-2745
Office:
10-421M
Send e-mail: jmy@mit.edu
Units: 3-0-6
Level: H
Prerequisites:
Thursdays, 7-10pm
The participants of this workshop will design and fabricate an autonomous solar
powered spectator Float for a new community rowing facility in New Bedford
Massachusetts. The Float will be a mobile event space and energy-gathering pod
that creates a gathering space and grandstand for viewing rowing races, bringing
the community out on the river and providing them with a new way to experience
the Acushnet River. This self-sustaining floating pavilion will spend its days
floating around New Bedford?s upper harbor and ?dock? in the evenings to
transfer the gathered energy to the main boathouse. The project will serve as a
new beacon to New Bedford?s community and visitors, marking the transformation
of the previously polluted waterfront into a new recreational waterway for the
community.
Students will work in a collaborative environment, interacting closely with
government officials and engineering consultants. This community oriented
design project will provide the first steps towards re-capturing the potential
of the city?s neglected Acushnet River. The first 3 weeks will focus on the
design development of the Float initiated during the Fall 2007 Studio.
Students will give a presentation at New Bedford on the evening of February 15,
2008. The remaining portion of the workshop will be dedicated to the
fabrication of the Float at full scale. The workshop will end with the
floating of the structure from the Charles River to the harbor in New Bedford.
The mission of the workshop is a creative and collaborative learning environment
where students are introduced to the integration of design and fabrication.
Students will gain valuable experience working in both rigorous academic and
practical environments. Stepping outside the typical classroom, they will be
given a chance to integrate and develop their skills in the design and
fabrication of a project that will serve as a catalyst for positive change
along the New Bedford waterfront. Priority will be given to students who
participated in the Fall 2007 Boathouse Studio but room will be made for new
students interested in participating in the workshop.
