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Design 2

Project 1

Form and Function

Architectural Design II- ARC 257

This project examines the relationship between aesthetics and functionality in architectural design. The assignment required redesigning an existing bridge to incorporate a 30’ × 40’ opening for water traffic, emphasizing the careful integration of structural performance with visual design.

Bridge Span Prototypes

Bridge Span: 190' Opening Width: 30'

Bridge Width: 12' Opening Height: 40'

Depth below grade: 10' Depth below grade: 10'

Bridge Span Protoypes

Name: Forth Bridge

Type: Cantilever

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Name: Tobin Bridge

Type: Cantilever Truss

Location: Boston Massachusetts

Name: Sydney Harbour Bridge

Type: Arch Truss

Location: Sydney, Australia

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, a wine bottle opener and ice cream 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.

Wine Bottle Opener

Eye Lash Curler

Ice Cream Scooper

Preliminary 3x3 Prototype Table

By integrating three conceptual spans with three selected household mechanisms, I generated a 3×3 diagram that produces nine unique prototype configurations.