VERTICAL CONSTRUCTIONS

Vertical Constructions is a graduate studio in the Material Culture Graduate Research Group that explores the design and construction of vertical structures. It concentrates on 3 primary objectives: 1) on the differences between stereotomic (mass) and tectonic (stick) construction systems and the processes involved in their successful design and construction; 2) on the theoretical ideas of these materials and their constructed assemblies and the spaces they generate (including Kenneth Frampton’s cosmological interpretation of Gottfried Semper’s “Four Elements of Architecture” which relates stereotomic mass with the earth and tectonic assemblies with the sky, as well as Gaston Bachlard’s phenomenological understanding of the spaces of the cellar and attic, the lower associated with darkness and fear and the upper with lightness and comfort); and 3) planning and performing the work necessary in the construction of each material and its construction type.

The students were asked to explore vertical constructions at three different scales: Project 1: a 5’-7’ vertical stereotomic/tectonic construction (at any scale); Project 2: an 80’ viewing tower design w/minimum residential requirements on the cliffs overlooking Lake Erie; Project 3: 4 approximately 16’ – 20’ towers to be designed and constructed at the Griffis Sculpture Park, East Otto, NY.

Jean La Marche