Playing with Ribs

Phase 2: Schematic Design

Week 7: February 21, 2012-February 25, 2012

I made some conceptual mock-ups of what the ribs on the cactus could be.  I do not want to translate my design to look exactly like the cactus, but I want it to have a relationship.  I am trying to think about the ribs and their function for the cactus as I create mock-ups.  The ribs function in terms of providing shade, helps the cactus store water, and of course regulates air flow.  In my opinion, the ribs are the key factor when it comes to my design for a passively cooled space.  Architecturally, I see the ribs almost as louver shades.  Their direction, orientation, size, shape, and material all relate to the amount of air flow that will come into the space.  

On the cactus the spines are equally important.  They function as protection, direct the sunlight away from the cactus and facilitates water retention ensuring minimalistic loss of water.  When thinking about the ribs, the spines go hand-in-hand with them.  They work together in my opinion.  I started to think of the spines and how they can work with my design.  I see the spines as having an added value to the ribs.  For my design the spines could be solar panels, window shades, or control wind direction.  I think of the spines as an element that zips the ribs up.  It stitches the ribs together, what if the spines could be unzipped and this controlled sunlight penetration into the interior?