Marlo Messer

We live in a time of mobility. People conduct business and practice worldwide, resulting in citizens of the world who demand lightweight portable products to accommodate their high-tech mobility. 

What is Critter?
As of seminar work, the ECOMONK structure was studied and explored as a regenerative model with the capacity to adapt and move to different environments. Through this premise, the structure, an 8’ x 8’ cube, was explored in order to develop a deployable skin that attaches to the existing structure. The skin was envisioned to create multiple spatial, lighting, and aesthetic conditions to the ECOMONK. 

At its conception, the grid was studied through triangular polygon geometry, with the idea to create a deployable diaphragm system. This study allowed the generation of a rhino model which helped visualize and understand the concept of a skin in relation to the ECOMONK. 

Irregularity becomes interplay between the skin and its attachment to the structure. Critter is being explored as a weather protection skin. The first study includes the conception of the skin as a folding surface. The second study adapts the folding surface to the conditions of an umbrella. Final studies were based on the use of an umbrella as an existing object with expansion and contraction capacity, furthermore providing a structural component to the skin. The reconfiguration of the umbrella provides the construction process of Critter merged with the semester research on folding surfaces.

Tsukiji Fish Market | Tokyo Japan

Tsukiji fish market is uniquely positioned on the northern periphery of Tokyo bay. While tightly situated within Japan’s historical context, the market is also repressed by Tokyo’s exponential urban development and is subjected to overwhelming climatic disasters.  Furthermore, the bay’s heavy shipping traffic has negatively affected the water quality and the waterfront is therefore not suitable for leisure activity.  

The seemingly chaotic market environment to an outsider is in fact, a very organized, efficient system to the place.  It was therefore, pertinent that the everyday functions of Tsukiji market be left unaltered.

productivE landSCAPE responds to two problematic site issues:  environmental and cultural.  These problems require a system that allows both physical and mental ESCAPE.  Formally, this system manifests itself as a parasitic three dimensional space frame structure that fills the site’s negative space, while allowing existing flows to remain unchanged.  

Because Japan’s current evacuation methods are insufficient, this structure provides protection for the city and its inhabitants.  productivE landSCAPE extends into the bay water in order to house natural wetlands and additionally itself, behaves as an artificial wetland, as it is able to quickly store and filter water, allowing more time for escape, while returning clean water to Tokyo Bay.  

Through research, personal experience, and observation, the focus shifted to the diligent, hard-working nature of the Japanese culture.  Places like Harajuku and Akihabara exemplified the need for ‘brain relief’ space due to strong cultural and societal pressures.  The market site has the opportunity to provide another type of mental escape through experience and a connection to the waterfront.  Large punctures are created within the structure, further slicing away existing buildings to allow a space for new public program.  This new program, activating the public space, is naturally integrated as an extension of the structure, allowing the public to enjoy a new form of escape – roller coasters, ferris wheels, and ski lifts.  The bizarre nature of this fantastical program, infused into a highly refined structure can be viewed or experienced by the worker and visitor alike, linking the users both physically and visually.  

The aim of productivE landSCAPE is to design for failure, while alleviating social pressures and preventing insanity by providing a new experiential escape.  

Phase Two | Meditate Levitate: A Yoga Pavilion

Phase two explored the transformation of the furniture into an architectural construct, a yoga pavilion. Through a syntactic transformation, one can experience the warmth of the Western red cedar while floating above the earth.

The syntactic transformation of Thuja into the yoga pavilion for phase two seeks to maintain this human relationship with the material. The transformative process involved either an extension—upward or downward—or a subtraction of the furniture legs, each having a dual purpose. The extension upward allowed a structure to connect to the canopy and served as a way to define space. The downward extension allowed the transfer of load to the foundation as well as allowed the pavilion to float above the ground. The subtraction left voids in the surface creating a visual relationship with the terrain below, as well as a physical interaction as the prairie grass begins to permeate the voids.

Since the project is about sustainability and sensible use of resources, these concepts are a defining parameter in the design process. Because climate is a very important factor in raising fish as well as algae, the program responds to the local wind and sun conditions. The building mass serves as a shield from cold winter winds and allows the harnessing of mild summer winds as the motor of a natural ventilation system.

The North and South facades are slanted to maximize daylight and reduce solar gain in the summer while allowing direct winter sun in order to reduce heating costs.

The building is compact and acts as a barrier lessening necessary security measures. It encloses a courtyard intended as recreational space for visitors as well as employees. Personal vehicular traffic is restricted to the north side of the building while trucks have access only to a second courtyard that opens to the northern street.