After weeks and weeks of debating on what or what not the canopy should be, I think the group has finally come to a decision. The idea stems from our original concept of the project as a whole as well as an idea we had from the very beginning of the semester. The structure consisted of a system of poles and cables that the canopy would be suspended from. The idea was put down simply because we never thought we would have enough time or money to make enough panels for the canopy. Now that we know we can, we've decided to take this idea further and develop it. The parametric paneling of the canopy will be an elegant form that will warp and change according to the conditions of the topology and the different kinds of spaces we are trying to create. The structure, which we hope to construct of tube steel columns and cables, would be simple and almost unnoticeable. While the massive size of the canopy might seem kind of obtrusive, we feel it will create a space that brings the performer and audience into one common energetic space. The canopy also creates a interesting experience for a pedestrian walking through the park.
Today we continued with our previous tactics of creating full scale mock-ups out in the field to give us a sense of the space. We cut some bamboo down in Pendleton and brought it to the site. We erected several poles across the site according to a model that we had build the night before. Of course, some changes of locations were made in the field. I feel like our best design work this semester, has actually come from designing out in the field. Staring at a model or a computer screen all day just does not give you the context of the site and the best way to design, in my opinion, is to get out there and do it. I feel like a lot was accomplished today, even more than we've accomplished over the past couple weeks! I'm excited now and ready to start construction on Monday. Yet, many things still need to be worked out, priced, and drawn until then. It's time to make it happen.
