Project 1
Form & Function
This project examines the relationship of form and function in architectural design. It encourages the awareness of truth, whatever position the designer takes, and promotes the arbitrary aesthetic of “functional” beauty. We were given the task of redesigning an existing bridge to let water traffic pass through a 30' x 40' opening, which required us to careful consider both the design's form and function.
Bridge Span Prototypes
Sydney Harbour Bridge-
Sydney, Australia
Arch Truss Bridge
Forth Bridge-
South Queensferry, United Kingdom
Cantilever Bridge
Walnut Street Bridge-
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Truss Bridge
Movement Analogies
For this project, I was tasked with identifying three household items that incorporate two or more mechanical hinges. From those options, I selected three items to inspire my bridge-opening design: an eyelash curler, an umbrella, and an ice screen scooper. I then created 3D models of each object and analyzed their mechanical functions through diagrams. This process helped me better understand how each mechanism operates before applying those concepts to the development of my prototypes.
Umbrella
Eyelash Curler
Ice Cream Scooper
Preliminary 3x3 Prototype Table
Taking my 3 household items and 3 bridges, I combined them into a 3x3 diagram containing 9 total prototypes.
Selected Prototype
Cantilever bridge and eyelash curler was selected
Isometric Views
Southwest View
Northeast View
Southeast View
Northwest View
3D Rotating View
3D Bridge Process & Final Design
