Google SketchUp mock-up model with some custom elements included. 

We have started our first excersise in the construction design course: pavings. On a given part of the project site we are to test out different materials and patterns, while facing issues such as surface runoff, pressure loads, dimensions and aesthetics.

The left-most sketch shows my design idea for the paving. Basically it’s a pattern of concrete elements arranged in a grid extruding from two points on opposite sides of the curved tram line.

Technical drawing of the overall look of the proposed paving.

Next step is principle sections showing the material layers, connections and surface shape, as well as detailed plans.

Pardon the Norwenglish in this post. Papp is Norwegian for cardboard, and it sort of rhymes with black. You can handle it from there (I’m also aware the construction doesn’t resemble a swan at all, more like a swallow, but it was found to be more suitable. So there).

Excitement preceded the launch of the cardboard constructions in today’s design lessons – we were supposed to construct a device to protect an egg from a third story fall. Made as a competition, we were awarded points for our design based on aesthetics, functionality, amount of material used, and, of course, airborne style.

The maiden voyage of the “The Papp Swan”, loaded with an egg (medium sized) in it’s cargohold below the wings, was not without drama: an initial dive, followed by a loop and abrupt collision with the wall through the approximately 7 meter flight (or fall, depending on your view) made for a rather short event. Thankfully, however, both the Swan and its cargo were left intact for later attempts. Due to the nature of the event, I didn’t get much credit for style in the end (partly due to its lack of proper flight capabilities – or horrible judging, whichever you prefer). I guess aerodynamics never was my strong field.

Visualisation in Lumion based on SketchUp model

We presented our site analysis today, along with some early attempts at visualising in Lumion (see picture above). A brief summary follows. See the project blog for more information!

Historical photo of the site, anno 1928. The tram line follows the same pattern today.

The site has an extensive history behind it, along with bits and pieces of architecture spanning over a century. The building in the picture, old Ullevaal theatre, now functions as a grocery store (actually, the grocery store is under construction) and auditorium for the University in Oslo, located just 500 meters to the North-West. Named after a significant tradesman of the time, John Collett, the area was a centre for trade and entertainment, with many small boutiques in the building, as well as a grand cinema. The site today is by and large dominated by traffic; it’s place you drive by, not a place you stay. The tram runs by frequently (twice every five minutes) as well, making the site appear very busy, however not necessarily in a good way. A place with great history, but a fragmented and dislocated feel to it today.

Analysis of traffic patterns.

The main road Sognsveien has a daily count of areound 14.000 vehicles driving through; that amounts to approximately 10 per minute. The noise levels are accordingly high; statistics describe the noise levels to be exceeding 70dB, while the levels for an urban space to feel comfortable lies around a maximum of 55dB.

Sightlines.

The spatial feeling of the site differs from your position; the only point from which you have a directional view in all angles is from this point in the middle, bordered by traffic and/or tram lines.

These registrations will be used in later work. We are now approaching the individual phase of the project, where we are going to propose detailed suggestions for improving this area.

Model work. Abstraction of the sense of volume and direction on the site.

Pen sketches and notes from the site. 

To start off I’ve added a page dedicated to the various project presentations, powered by the online publishing solution Issuu. I found it’s much easier to share content this way. The page lists projects in the categories Landscape Architecture, Art Lessons and Other Projects. Be sure to have a look if you’re curious about the courses we have here at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.

This will be an exciting year. UKA in Ås 2012 is set to launch in October, and I’m currently in the design and marketing team, working on the visual profile and websites of the festival. Concept development has been completed, and we are now carving out design elements. There is much work to be done, and I’m looking very much forward to it.

As editor of the student organisation for future landscape architects and -engineers at UMB, Terra Forma, I’m looking forward to exposing the organisation even more to the community, contribute to new events and arrangements and keep the website updated with fresh news, tips and job offers for our fellow students. The event planning has already begun.

Regarding this blog, I will most likely begin to divide the content into Norwegian and English sections. Project presentations (unless the courses are given in English) and topics of local interest will most likely be written in Norwegian. Application reviews and the like will continue to be written in English.

Here’s to a content-rich new year!