IaaC blog

Our group assignment can be found here:

http://www.iaacblog.com/mariapapaloizou/?p=43

Snake Tube
The generating idea of the tube was change the axis of all the composition,
so we obtained the vertical section along an s spline, taking like reference
the movement of a snake.
You can download our dxf file of 2-d cutting.

Measuring the tree was a rather intriguing and at the same time hard job. Because of the size of the tree it was almost certain for us that we had to measure it almost precisely, without knowing actually how to do that.
We started from the overall measurements of the tree, using some sticks the gardeners there use to support the plants as they grow.
We noticed that the main part of the crown is almost round, as it is supposed to be according to the growth-type of the almond tree, but there was a part, almost the top 2/5 of the crown that was formed by a few long, vertical branches. So there were 3 parts in the image of the tree: the trunk and the first main branches, the main crown, and the less dense part of the crown.
The next stage was a closer look at the state of the tree. It is about 8-10 years old, from what we found out, and in a quite good state. The park in which it grows is supposed to be one of biological cultivation, so the any kinds of diseases the tree might have are treated naturally. For example there are some insects that make the leaves dry and revolved. What they do in order to avoid that is to spray the tree with water every morning so that the intruders fall on the ground.
We also noticed hundreds of some ant-like insects living on our study object, but were surprised to find out that those-in my opinion disgusting creatures I often crushed with my hands in my effort to take a closer look in one of the branches are actually friendly and useful for the tree, as they help transfer some substances that are necessary for its survival-The explanation we were given by the person in charge were obviously more elaborate than my description, but unfortunately in Spanish, so we could only keep the basic points of every discussion!
And there started the main measuring part…

We started from the trunk, taking its circumference at distances of 10cm. We noted the position of the south and that was the point of start for the “measuring system”. For each branch we took 5 measurements-Its distance (D), its angle to the previous branch (α), its rotation to the south (β) and 2 or 3 circumferences along its distance (P). All that was done with the help of course of measuring tapes, an angle meter, and a new innovative form of anglemeter we created ourselves. What is special about it is that the meter is actually between two planes, helping us to create each time the plane the branch-origin forms with the vertical plan, and thus measuring the necessary angles quite precisely and without needing to imagine things every time. Our goal was to create a diagram of growth for the tree that of course would help us later on to actually built a model, but first of all would give us the opportunity to make conclusions on the rules under which the tree grows.
In that sense, we were happy to realize, that after a great deal of measuring, we started seeing some numbers repeating themselves.
For example, the range of angles the branches turned to, were easily discernible (ranging between 120 to 160 degrees with average 140 degrees)
Also we saw that when a division was clear-2 or three branches- all of the new ones actually reached the same final height.
Another notice was that the natural course of a branch can change due to its surroundings. We had heard of course the branches turn towards the sun, but we actually saw it in action, in many ways. They would at some point turn vertical in order to catch the light, or each new division would be turned by 90 degrees turned from the previous one, so as to not hide the sun from it.
A last assumption was that if one branch, on its way to the sun, came across another one, it would turn away, forming strange angles or distortions - that we decided to call knees. It was in that case that you could see even two branches being absolutely parallel to each other.

Our group assignment can be found here:
http://www.iaacblog.com/nazliyucel/?p=8

GlobaLab is a platform for exchanging information about globalization which main aim is to improve understanding of this phenomenon and to help people to find innovative and effective ways to respond to the opportunities which it give. It was created as an offshoot of non-profit organisation GlobaLab. This blog is giving a broad view on globalization picking up informations about new international initiatives like ECFR-European Council on Foreign Relations throw analysis of global trends like the rise of fourth sector up to individual actions. Along many interesting examples it is worth to read about photographer/street artist JR who did upclose portraits of young men and women living in ghettos that ring Paris and after that he exposed them on streets of Paris confronting them with citizens.

Additionally on GlobaLab you can also find a broad database of open-source Web 2.0 tools that can be used by NGOs in their everyday work and also on the left side there is a huge database of links to blogs covering the same interests but focusing on specific regions.

hipercroquis is a blog which is written by two alumnis of ETSAS, A_Linares and J_Milara who are interested in avant-garde architecture, experimental design and new media. This broad field of interest have the impact on the content of their blog. You can find there information about recent projects of well-known architects like Penang Global City Center, a large development in northern Malaysia, designed by Asymptote and at the same time a bunch of information about recent exhibitions, conference, video-installations, street-art projects and public space integrations. From many of them it is worth to point out video-installation of Pablo Valbuena Augmented Sculpture, where he is combining cubic sculpture with light projection giving a new dimension to the object, or project of Graffiti Research Lab Interactive Architecture where they enlarge digital projection to the urban scale. If you are interested in the possibilities of light as an artistic medium you probably have already tried to “write” something on a photo by using flashlight and long shutter time option in your camera. Then you have to see Lightstrom project.