CLIENT
PROJECT TYPE
YEAR
architects Rafael-Beneytez-Duran
and Peter Jay Zweig
ARCHITECTURAL ART-INSTALLATION DESIGN
2021

INSPIRATION FOR A NEW ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION WAY.

PROJECT OVERVIEW
introducing one of the worlds largest companies to package delivery
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Gerald D. Hines School of Architecture and Design, in the city of Houston, USA, the architects Rafael-Beneytez-Duran and Peter Jay Zweig have designed a dynamic and air-inflated structure, called AIRSCAPES # 1. For the project I, and a team of Industrial Designers were brought on as interns to help assemble and buildout Airscapes successfully.

THE OLD VS THE NEW
DELIVERY PROCESS

concept proposal
At the beginning of the process, architects Rafael-Beneytez-Duran and Peter Jay Zweig proposed the below renderings as the initial concept. I and 4 other Industrial Designers began modeling out an installation system for AIRSCAPES #1.
concept and solution
After modeling each piece of the installation system, and constructing it, we had an engineer analyze the structural integrity of the installation, after it was approved we began prototyping and drawing part drawings.

concept and
development

inspiration for the viewing experience
In the begining of the developmet process, I developed concept designs for the viewing experience of AIRSCAPES #1. The intent of the concept was to allow the viewer to be completely enveloped by the difference in scale between the viewer and the AIRSCAPES #1 installation. Most similar to an astronaut viewing a celestial object and the awe such a view can inspire.

For the seating, I suggested using a parametric sectioning method style for the seating during the viewing experience. Due to budget we weren’t able to include this in the final design and setup.

fabrication

official drafted part drawings
Once we decided how we were going to build Airscapes #1 I was tasked to complete fabrication and part drawings for ordering parts from vendors and for helping in the fabrication process.
welding
The suspension ring was welded and holes for eye bolts  drilled.
finishing
The suspension ring was sanded and cleaned to prep it for painting. The ring was then primed and painted.
assembly
Column clamp hoist mounts were formed, welded, drilled, and cleaned.

TESTING AND INSTALLATION

STRENGTH TESTING
Column clamps and hoists were installed on the 4th floor columns. The suspension ring  was then hoisted up to its proper elevation and tested for position and overall system stability. Fans were placed on the ground floor and the inflatable was then suspended by the ring and hoisted into position.

final installation

securing funding
The placement of the fans was important to establish the airflow and how it would impact the installation's fluid movement, in this sense the placement of fans was its own design.

Furthermore, AIRSCAPES #1 was successful in attracting donors and contributions to the school, we were able to significantly raise money for the current construction of a Architecture and Industrial Design prototyping facility.
large fan placement
The placement of the fans was important to establish the airflow and how it would impact the installation's fluid movement, in this sense the placement of fans was its own design.

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