1-1 Project

1:1 Project 2014/2015
Bar; Disassemble
A Project by
Studio 1.4
Semester 2
A.Y. 2014-2015
School of Architecture and Landscape
Kingston University London

Brief: 1:1 Project
Location: Knights Park campus
Every year, first year students design and
build a structure as a studio to be exhibited
on the week of school assembly. This year,
wood is the main material.
Our studio decided to use the morning to
host a design charrette where two students
will design as a group and make a model
of their proposal which will then compete
with the other’s proposed structure for the
studio’s 1:1 project. Meanwhile, the afternoon
session was used as a time for allocation
of responsibility.

Design iteration
We decided to build a bar like structure that
has a flexible and repetitive design element
which can be easily assemble and disassemble
while also studying its future use. Our
project consists of elements that heavily
rely on the joints and repetitions to induce
stability. Each “set” is made up of four 2.5
meter soft wood ’legs’ and an orb plank that
acts as a joint. Each set mimics a singular
regular triangular polyhedron. A singular
structure is then made up three inverted
sets. But since the measurement should be
finalised in order to estimate the amount
of materials we need for the structure, we
listed quite a few restrictions in regards to
the design.
Things to consider:
Location - How much space can we occupy
determines how much sets we need to
produce. If we decide to occupy an exterior
space, how will the weather affect the structure?
Layout - Depending on the location, we can
alter the design to be able to fit the space.
Accessible space - Is the structure going to
be an active part of the assembly? Do we
want the structure to be responsive with the
needs of the users passersby?
Assembly space - Do we have enough space
to assemble the structure onsite or do we
need to pre-assemble it then transport it?
Lighting - How will the structure be lit? Will
it obstruct interior lightings on site?

Storage space - Do we have enough storage
space for the materials before, during and
after the project?
Height - How much available height space
do we have determines the angle cut of the
soft wood.
Health and Safety - Does it pass the standard
health and safety of the site? e.g. original
function of the space is a lobby; Will it obstruct
fire exits?
Time - How much time do we need to spend
for the project can also determine how
much people should work different roles.
Transportability - if pre-assembled, will it
be easy to transport it on site?
Weight - How many people are need to
transport the structure?
Stability - Is the design and measurement
integrity enough for the set to be safely
placed on its own or does it need another
element as a stabiliser?

Observation
Repetition of elements made it easier to
produce.
Designing according to standard material
size helps to decide on the structure’s height.
Amount of materials available was easy to
determine due to the designation of “sets”.

Assembling phase
The assembling phase only took less than a
week due to the structure’s design guideline
making it easier to cut the materials and assemble
it in the studios. It also helped when
we produced a model for both the site and
the proposal which was used to test and finalised
the layout of the structures and as
well as during the meeting with the health
and safety staff. When the first sample
structure was made, we decided to add the
planks to be able to use the structure as a
temporary bar.
https://vimeo.com/295717523

Finalisation and re-use
It was on exhibit until the end of the school
assembly and was reused as a bar for the
summer degree show.