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Project 1:Form and Function
Architectural Design II- ARC 257

The project examines how a design's function must transform its form to achieve functional beauty. The core function is the requirement for a pedestrian bridge to open and provide a 30' wide by 40' high clearance. To meet this, the static Arch Bridge prototype was transformed by integrating the "Umbrella Mechanism" as the movement analogy. This functional mandate resulted in an asymmetrical, hybrid structure where the arch terminates at a truss tower, and the movable deck section utilizes an exposed, articulated truss system that mimics the umbrella's lifting action. The final form is a direct and truthful expression of this required functional movement.

Span prototypes

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Type: Cantilever

Bridge Name: Forth Bridge   

Bridge Location: Edinburgh, Incharvie and Fife, Scotland

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Type: Through arch

Bridge Name: Sydney Harbour

Bridge Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Austrailia

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Type: Cable stay

Bridge Name: Erasmus Bridge  

Bridge Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands

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Movement analogies

The design's primary function—achieving a $30'$ wide by $40'$ high clearance—was met using the Umbrella Mechanism as the core analogy. This mechanism was chosen for its capacity to model a controlled, upward-folding motion. The final form, a truss-braced bascule span, expresses this function truthfully: the exposed, hinged members mimic the umbrella's ribs, ensuring the movement system is not hidden but is pulled away from the main arch to become the aesthetic, transforming element of the bridge.

Umbrella

Wine Opener

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wine openner.jpg
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wrench.jpg
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Preliminary 3x3 Prototype Table

Bringing 3 household items into into a 3x3 diagram

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       Selected Protoype

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3D Process

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Mechanism Movement

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Views

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Detailing view

Northeast

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Southeast

SE VIEW.jpg

Renderings

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Final Design

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