Masataka Yoshikawa - M.Arch ‘17 University of Michigan, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning Thesis: Mischievous Gizmo Thesis Advisor: Perry Kulper
Systems exist in objects, nature, and social structures. Mischievous Gizmo looks for a way to unfold and deconstruct these systems and create a device that works differently from its original conditions. It is a chimera of systems and the mismatch of its components create opportunities for constructive imaginations. The reconstructed system, with a fine grain of local linkages, is a continuously connected, intricate structure that works in a way that totality or whole is operative. Mischievous Gizmo also probes the design process and categorizes it in six pillars: 1) On Element, 2) On Situation, 3) On Antiquities, 4) On (Relational) Articulation, 5) On Construct, and 6) On Application. ‘On Element’ looks at components creating systems at smaller scales. It presents opportunities to be taken over or to be re-assigned new attributes. ‘On Situation’ reorganizes elements in different manners, creating opportunities to restructure through local connections. ‘On Antiquities’ finds existing arrangements that can be integrated into the restructured construct. ‘On (Relational) Articulation’ intertwines the ingredients found in ‘On Antiquities’ into a construct. ‘On Construct’ organizes all elements in such a way that clues presented in the restructured construct have enough but are not expressive. This balanced, spatial construct provides constructive gaps that allow creative thinkers to imagine their own ideas. Finally, ‘On Application’ examines how this process can be implemented to architecture. These six pillars together construct a design method that is applicable to solve architectural problems. The mischievous gizmo, the reconstructed systems from a piano, and other panels at the exhibition exist as trails of discovery to reach the six pillars.
