THE BIG DAY!

Today is the day you and we have all
been waiting for. Today is the day we
place everything we have worked long
hours on for the public on the site!

The day unfortunately began with a
major setback: RAIN. We have all
been watching the weather reports for
the last week in hopes of a warm and
sunny day, but instead, we were stuck
with a cold, damp day. But that didn't
stop us. We came prepared with a
tarp to cover all the pieces from
getting soaked.

Just like how the pieces were
transported from Phil's to Andrew's the
past day, the pieces were transported
yet again from Andrew's to the site.
Three pieces at a time were placed in
the truck, covered with a tarp, and
dropped off at the site.

The rain also forced us to call an
audible on the site location. Instead of
placing the structure in the grass by
the pedestrian path at the park, we
relocated it along the path that runs
underneath the Walnut Street Bridge to
keep it dry. The new location was only
about a minute walk away from the
original site.

When all the pieces of the puzzle were
put together, it created a spectacular
sight. All the large arms projecting
at different angles, all the seats lined
up in a crescent shape, and the all
the tubes that seemed to have grass
growing right out of them formed an
extremely unique structural experience.

One part of the structure we wish we
could have added, though, was the
canopy. Many people worked several
hours on this piece, but it sadly could
not support its own weight during its
assembly. We unfortunately could not
include it in the final model.

We all spent a lot of time
gathering around the
structure to take in all of its
greatness before dispersing
and seeing how other
pedestrians would act and
interact with it. We ran down
the pedestrian path to see
how others would initially see
it before approaching it. The
long-distance view provided
a whole other visual
experience all in its own
awesome way.

We eventually distanced
ourselves quite a ways away
from the site to observe how
unsuspecting people would
experience the project. We
stood on the Chestnut Street
Bridge, about 550' away. All
our cameras zoomed in on a
number people who stopped
in their projects to see the
project. As mentioned before,
we experienced a lot of rain
throughout the day, which
would result in a lot of people
choosing to stay indoors. We
wish we could have seen the
high numbers of people who
usually go to the park on
sunnier days, but observed as
much as we could. What made
us really happy were the few
joggers who halted in the
middle of their run to check out
the structure!

The day eventually drew to a close, and
we had to pack everything up. We all
wanted to return the pieces back to the
PhilaU campus in one shot, so Andrew
decided to rent a U-Haul truck for a
couple hours. Once we arrived back to
campus, all the pieces were reassembled
back in order and placed just outside of
our Architecture & Design Center for
fellow students to experience.

The pieces were rearranged in the same
order, but followed a crescent shape in
the opposite direction as the site's
arrangement. It did not appear any
less interesting, though. The structure
now sits adjacent to The Architecture
& Design Center's main entrance ramp.
It may now be used by PhilaU students
and faculty for as long as it stands.

Final Model: Phase IV

Ladies and gentlemen, the final
model is OFFICIALLY BUILT!

The day before the biggest day of
our project, we all came together
and wrapped up everything we could
for the final model. The last tubes
were sawed, the last tube shards
were stapled into the canopy, and
the last bits of grass were put into
place.

However, or process did not go 100%
according to plan. We believed
we achieved our tube quota, but
unfortunately that wasn't the case.
We came up a tad short. But we came
up with a plan and improvised with our
lack of tubes. We tapedshorter, left-
over tube parts together with packing
tape. Surprisingly, these Frankenstein
tubes held together well just like
whole tubes. For the sake of
appearance, we placed these taped-
up tubes towards the center of a
couple of the bases so the tape
would not be visible.

Once all nine bases were
completed, they were all
hauled to Prof. Hart's home,
which is a third the distance
from the building site. This
will cut our set-up time on
Sunday by an extreme
amount. The rest of each
arm is also located at his
house. On Sunday morning,
we will all assemble at his
home, pick up all the parts,
and ship it to the site to be
built.

We spent the closing hour
of the day taking any
excess tubes, primarily
carpet tubes, out of Phil's
house and out to be
disposed of. Sheila and Matt
wanted to come along for
the ride, but that would
have been a terrible idea.

Also, Kait brought over her
dog, Jack, so he could help
us out for the day!

Everything is all prepared
and ready for the big day
tomorrow! We are all excited
and can't wait to see how
people react to our Cardboard
Pipe Dream.

Final Model: Phase III

The canopy aspect to the model
is near completion. Any excess
pieces of tubing left over from
the seating construction were
sawed into 2" pieces. Each
individual piece is cut, linked to
another piece, then stapled back
together. They are all linked
together like a chain, then linked
together again to form one large
piece. Different widths and colors
of tubes are used to add variety.
Some of the pieces in this canopy
are from the large carpet tubes,
and will later be clamped onto
the larger structural arms.

As for the structure's green
spaces, the studio has
returned to the idea of cutting
small circular pieces of grass
from parcels of sod and
inserting them into vertical
tubes. One tray of 30 pieces
has been made so far. Many
more are to come.

Final Model: Phase II

After the bases were completed,
the seating elements began
their construction. The smaller
plotter paper tubes are
measured to their appropriate
sizes and mass produced on a
table saw. The tubes are cut at
20" for the seats and 30" for the
backs of the seats. 3" pieces
are also added to act as a foot
rest.

All of the tubes are oriented
vertically side-by-side on the
sheets of plywood, and they're
screwed into place. Some of the
tubes are also cut at angles so
they can be placed on the larger
angled tubes and still stand
vertically.

To ensure even more strength,
the tubes are lashed together
with rope. The rope is weaved
around the tubes and through
small holes in the tubes.

Final Model: Phase I

Hey, it's starting to look like something!

On Sunday the 26th and on the
following day during our regularly
scheduled class time, everyone
assembled at Phil's house. We all did
our part incompleting different aspects
of the final model.

Some people worked on the bases,
others worked on the wood knuckels,
and the rest worked on the canopy.

Each base was made the same was as
the base seen in "Structural Study X".
As mentioned before, each of the bases
project at different angles. As the
bases are lined up, each one stands
10 degrees more than the next. In
order for the arms to support their own
weight, the tubes are appropriately offset
further back on their plywood foundations.

A series of identical wood knuckles were
produced in an assembly line by a number
of students. They're all lined up and
ready to be placed in their tubes! A
couple of these knuckles have already
been placed in the bases with the addition
of another tube, just to temporarily
provide a sense of scale.

Along with the main structural elements,
construction began on the canopy. Some
of the smaller tubes are being cut into 2"
segments. They will be fastened together
and will form a shading device within the
large structural arms.

- Everyone

Structural Study X

A well-improved version of Structural
Study IX is built. The same type of
carpet tubes are used, and the same
wood joints are placed within the
tubes. As good as the previous
study was, this most recent one is
even better.

First, no rope is needed for tensile
strength. We initially anticipated the
need for roped once again, but we
were pleased when we saw this
structure stand up and support its
own weight.

Second, an effective foundation is
built. The main structure possesses
two smaller tubes that reach the
ground an act the same way as a
bicycle's kickstand. Then, the
structure is screwed down to a
sheet of plywood for balance.

The planned design of the final
model is that a number of these
structures will be built. Each one
will project at different angles, and
will be placed alongside the paved
path at the park at the Schuylkill
River (See "Model I" post). Also, the
seating which can be seen in
Structural Study VI will be built in a
similar way and incorporated within
these structures, creating a
project both sculptural and
interactive.

This study was so successful that
it will be used as part of the final
model. It is now safe to say that
this is the last "Structural Study",
and the project can move onward
towards the final model!

- Tim, Matt & Phil

Tube Contributors

Our project would not be possible if it were not for kind and helpful students, printing companies and architecture firms. We even got some help from carpet companies and fabric stores! We have depended solely on these people to donate hundreds of tubes. Here are the following contributors of tubes to our studio:

AC Repro - 159 tubes
Adams Carpet Center - 6 tubes
Adler's Fabrics - 12 tubes
Agoos Lovera Architects - 20 tubes
Atkin Olshin Schade Architects - 17 tubes
Ballinger - 12 tubes
Blackney Hayes Architects - 65 tubes
Bloomfield & Associates - 7 tubes
Bruce E. Brooks & Associates - 15 tubes
Claflen Associates - 3 tubes
Cogan Joseph J Blue Prints - 31 tubes
Daley + Jalboot Architects - 11 tubes
Floss Barber, Inc. - 16 tubes
Kincus Fabrics - 7 tubes
Matthew V. Piotrowski, Architect - 20 tubes
Metro Architects - 16 tubes
Paulson & Company Carpet Sales - 12 tubes
Philadelphia University Fashion Students - 5 tubes
Reinhart Carpet Outlet - 12 tubes
Runyan & Associates - 36 tubes
Venturi, Scott Brown & Associates - 16 tubes
Weidmann-Zelig Group, LLC - 36 tubes
Wulff Architects, Inc. - 8 tubes
Random Contributions from Other Philadelphia University Students - several

There are links to these firms' and companies' websites up on the right side of our page - please visit them to see their work, or their wide selections of carpet!

Thank you to everyone who helped us out!

-Tim

Structural Study IX

A rather significant advancement
has been made in order to
provide structural strength to
the project. Since the screws
did not work well in Structural
Study XIII, Phil and Matt
conceived the idea of using large
wooden joints to be placed
within two adjacent tubes for
the canopy pieces. These
"knuckles" are made of a series
of solid wood pieces screwed
together to form a joint. The
pieces once again form a 145-
degree angle. The knuckles are
easily slid into two tubes, then
screwed into the tubes to increase
strength. The knuckles can also
be easily mass produced, which
will save much-needed time and
labor.

The canopy pieces, however,
can not stand on their own.
Each one needs their own form
of a foundation so they will
not topple over. It is known so
far that something the weight
of Aaron (bottom) will anchor
the canopy in place.

Doesn't that bottom photo remind you of anything?

- Tim, Matt & Phil

Structural Study VIII

With the project being as far
along as it is, we have been
fortunate to have access to
shop equipment, such as table
saws, band saws, sanders,
etc., in Phil's basement. We
have also been provided with
a bundle of carpet tubes much
larger than architectural
plotter paper tubes. With the
shop and these massive tubes,
our possibilities for our final
product have increased
greatly.

A full scale study of the
canopy aspect of the project
has begun. With the large
carpet tubes, a large object
in the shape of a bending
finger is made. They are
joined together at 145-
degree angles, and each of
the three pieces are approx.
4 feet long. They are
fastened with screws into
blocks of wood within the
tubes. This piece failed to
stand up effectively, so ropes
are tied at the joints and run
the length of the piece to
provide tension. The piece
did provide a sense of scale in
relation to people, but it
unfortunately did not possess
the level of structural integrity
we had aimed for.

- Everybody

Plant Connections Study III

The tubes are shown 1,2,3, and 4 respectively after one week of living in the cardboard tubes.  In one week, they received much rain water and minimal sunlight.  The first plant was in the plastic cup and flourished the best because the water was contained longer compared to the netting of 2,3,4 where the water fell through to the ground.  

This is plant number one, which is the plant that flourished the best.  We have decided on using the cups to connect the plants to the cardboard tubes because the plants can stay alive the longest as well as it is the easiest way to connect them.  Using the cups also allows for people passing by to take a flower if they so desire. 

After some discussion, we decided that it would be best to also use grass as some of our tube-fillers for the plant section of our project. Depending on where the plants go on the project, the grass will start from the structure's lowest tubes and gradually start to be filled in with flowers as the tubes increase in height. Since the cardboard tube aspect of the project has become more of a flowing organic shape, this element of grass gradually turning into flowers brings the entire project together visually.

- Jo & Christine

Structural Study VII

Our studio is contemplating the
idea of including some sort of
canopy to project up and
outward from our main
structure. It will provide shade
for its users, and will also catch
peoples' attention more as they
approach and walk by the
structure. In this study, two
vertical tubes support two more
tubes projecting out
horizontally. Between these
projecting tubes are 2" pieces
of tubing. They are fastened
together with rope and plastic
ties. These bits of tubes provide
a dynamic aesthetic to the
overall project. One notable
feature to this study model is
that the canopy is free to pivot
about the vertical tubes. This
can allow adults and kids alike
to interact more with the
project.

- Tim & Phil

Structural Study VI

A slightly more advanced study

model compared to Study V

has been made. The tubes are

fastened the same way, but

provide a stronger structure

than before. They still provide

an organic form, which is our

object for the final product.

Also, a chair study is created

with the same method of rope

fastening. A bundle of ten

tubes are made, and the ends

are cut to fit the human

physique for comfort.

As you can see at the bottom,

Jo seems to like it!

- Tim, Matt & Phil

Structural Study V

A new progression of how to

fasten tubes together has

been made. Using rope, a

series of eight tubes of various

heights are brought together,

The rope is driven through

holes in the tubes and woven

around each other. This method

allows this composition of tubes

to be moved into multiple forms.

It may be straightened out or

curled up into a tight space.

These forms are fluid and

organic, which are aimed

towards the desired aesthetic of

the final product.

- Tim, Matt & Phil

Model I

Here is the first CAD sketch of our design so far. It is a sculptural gesture focused on the view and user friendliness as determined by the analysis. Our current plan is to have vertical cardboard tubing with ranging heights connected by rope lashing, also an extension of green space will cascade across the tops of the tubes. Seating will form webbing between the arms of the structure. This will provide an overall expansive view while the arms will direct to a specific view. How the design relates to the existing pathway will invite users into the central space while enhancing the overall park experience.















Here is an aerial shot of our design proposal. The interaction with the path and the views is important and will be emphasized with the arms of the structure.












This shows a closer view of our design, there are over 1,000 tubes used in this design proposal.

Structural Study IV

A number of days after the model
was tested for weathering and
human interaction, the model's
concrete was examined for
structural integrity. The tubes at
the model's foundation which
contained concrete were
disassembled for observation. The
exterior tubes were sawed both
lengthwise and widthwise to
reveal the concrete. Some of the
tubes were even removed
completely to reveal a concrete
mold. The concrete revealed that
over a number of days, it did not
fully cure. For example, some of
the innermost concrete was
slightly moist to the touch. This
lesson taught us to either allow
ample time for the concrete to
dry in the foundation of our future
model, or measure each ingredient
in the concrete-making process
with more precision.

-Tim, Matt, & Phil