THE CUBE
Wood is an important material in Finnish culture not only for building, but also in the production of art, handicrafts, and household objects. As a result, wood has values that cannot be readily calculated and some which may not even be seen or touched. Finnish artists and architects have often chosen wood for the material in their work for many reasons. Most obviously, wood has always been readily available in the North and everyone can make something out of wood with their own hands. Over time, the different character of wood species and various methods of finishing wooden surfaces has become not only a practical matter, but also a source of inspiration for artists and architects.
Your task is to design and to manufacture a three-dimensional work of art out of wood. The project can be thought of as a study that introduces one or several technical, aesthetic or abstract properties of the material used. A few of the most widely available species of wood (birch, pine, spruce, alder, aspen, maple, larch and oak) will be available for you in the workshop as well as different types of plywood and laminated veneer lumber (LVL).
You may use any combination of wood materials available. Different species, forms or surfaces of wood should be studied. The possibilities of wood and the character of the materials chosen should be clearly expressed.
The size of the cube should be 200 x 200 x 200mm and it must be possible either to open, disassemble or otherwise see through it. We encourage you to use as few components as possible to demonstrate your intentions (remember that the fewer components you design the more time you will have to careful construct and perfect them).
THE JOINT
join:
1. To put or bring together so as to make continuous or form a unit
2. To put or bring into close association or relationship
3. To connect (points), as with a straight line.
4. To meet and merge with
5. To become a part or member of
6. To come into the company of
7. To participate with in an act or activity
8. To adjoin.
9. To engage in; enter into
Your next workshop excercise is to design and manufacture a wooden joint that is made primarily of wooden components. It should be simple, effective and easy to manufacture while being as strong as possible.
The material for the joint is dimensional pine/spruce found in the workshop. The material can be sawn, planed, bent, split, glued and crafted as you see appropriate. You may use other materials (hardwoods, steel, rope, etc.) to complete the joint as needed but remember that wood must be the primary material.
THE FRAME
Design and build a three-dimensional frame that fits in an approximately 1.5m x 1.5m footprint and has an inner space large enough for one person to stand. The frame should include a platform to stand on (not just the ground) and allow access to the inner space from at least one side of the structure. It must be rigid in three dimensions and not lean, collapse or twist when occupied. In addition to these practical requirements, it should express a clear architectural, structural, or tectonic idea and be light enough to be carried safely outside the Paja assembly hall by your group.
We will test the designs first in the workshop and then outside for the winter season to assess their durability. The approach to the task can be technical, aesthetic or abstract but no matter what approach you take, it’s important that you develop some principles for the design to follow.
THE SKIN
Design and build a skin for your frame structure that covers the top and the sides with a wooden cladding or surface. It must be a logical addition to the frame and continue the design principles that it set forth while protecting the frame from water and snow. The skin should be durable in the Finnish climate (by not collecting water on flat surfaces or pockets) and allow for light and views to penetrate the structure.
General instructions:
- Make quality drawings (they’ll help us understand and help you in the workshop).
- Study everything first then make changes as needed during the manufacturing process!
- Study how you join pieces of wood both technically and aesthetically. Nails, screws, glue, dowels, pegs or any other system may be used but you should demonstrate an understanding of whatever system you choose.
- Select the appropriate material before starting so that you make use of the material reasonably.
- If you’re not sure, ask for advice.
- Make the design elegant, but simple enough for you to execute. Many components are difficult to assemble in the short time available for the project.