Brandon - ARCH305 @brandonarch305 - Tumblr Blog

Process Model Shots

Newest addition to the studioplex.

Border Energy Park

Our assignment was to create an alternative energy gas station. At the direction of my professor, I took my project in the direction of a park rather than that of a car/transportation device fill 'er up station. The site of my project was along the border of College Station and Bryan. With the power line already there, I thought it would be both interesting and important to explore the idea of using that area to unite the communities on both sides of the border, and harvest energy that would later be used to fuel the park. I investigated what type of technology/alternative energy that could be created by peoples' movement. Piezo electric energy caught my attention. Piezo pads allow the collection of energy to occur when someone steps onto a pad. This energy is then stored in a battery. So, I approached this path as an area that could collect energy with all types of foot movement. So when people walk, run, jog, walk their dog, push their strollers, jump and play energy will be collected and then used to light the path at night, charge cell phones and other small electronic devices, fuel equipment for concerts and finally allow films to be projected within the park itself. The construction of this path is all modular based, whether its a planter or a panel of piezo pads. Along the border there were empty plots of land that I discovered and later incorporated into the park. These spaces are used for movie viewing, pavilion areas, dog parks, beautiful walking areas and more. As great as they are, the plots of land aren't the only things that will attract guests to the park. Areas for children to play, community gardens, sun bathing areas, jogging paths, picnic and market areas make up the Border Energy Park. There are 8 access points to the park for safety and convenience reasons. All together Border Energy Park creates its own self-sustaining energy cycle of collection and distribution, which not only helps to promote a cleaner environment, but also brings two communities together.

Midterm Wrap Up

The review of our final project is approaching and it is time for Peter to hop over the pond to Italy. We will miss him dearly around the studioplex. I don't know whether our new professor, Francis, will want to run the studio like he did, but I'm excited about a fresh start with a new professor. Fresh back from Italy, we as a group, and me personally, had to get used to being back in real school. Peter did an excellent of job of easing us back into the studio culture here at A&M. The first couple of weeks were used as a research phase of gas stations and alternative energy sources. Next came the research of the college station and bryan border. We broke up into 3 groups in studio and researched a different area and aspect of the border. After that research was fully developed, we began our individual projects. As weeks progressed, he began to get us back on track to start designing and developing our ideas of a fill 'er up station. All 8 projects were headed in a different direction. That is something i really enjoyed about this studio-Not one single person was designing the same type of building or constructing it on the same site. Everyday Peter would sit down with us and review what we had done over the past 48 hours and direct us in the right direction. It wasn't just in the studio that he was an influence. We took many class field trips, including one to Austin, Texas to look further into alternative energy sources. Peter taught me a lot about architecture and what it is today. He was an all around great professor to have, and I hope this isn't the last time I get to be his student.

#studioplex #peterlang

Studioplex Closing Weeks

Many weeks have passed in the studioplex since my last update. Most of them have been relatively uneventful. Now that spring break is over, we're in the home stretch towards the end of the semester and junior year. Our midterm project is due Monday so the workload during the past two weeks has been a lot heavier than those preceding. The ping pong games, darts, mini bike riding and other activities have come to a sudden halt minus a few ping pong breaks here and there. Since we have not been occupying the ping pong table others have taken over our space. While we are working, non-studio-mates are playing ping pong, which has proved to be quite annoying at times of high stress. Regardless, having a ping pong table and other activities to turn to when we get stressed has been a relief when working on our various projects.

#studioplex