Course Syllabus
EXPERIMENTAL PRESERVATION:
RESTORING AVERY'S ENTRANCE AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL SENSOR
Prof. Jorge Otero-Pailos, Columbia University
Meeting Time: TH 11AM- 1PM / Preservation Technology Laboratory
Course Description:
This hands-on course will employ experimental preservation methods to reimagine the entrance of Avery Hall as an environmental sensor. The semester will be divided in 3 phases. During the first phase, students will learn a combination of techniques such as on-site documentation, 3D scanning, and scientific materials analyses, that will allow them to read the current depositions of dust and weathering patterns on the facades as encoded environmental information. The second phase will involve studying archival photos and plans of Avery’s entrance, which show sculptural lions in front of the stairs. Students will also study air monitoring devices to incorporate them inside a new design for the lions, and accessibility codes for ramp design. During the third phase students will design a new entrance to Avery Hall, and learn to use VR software to create an immersive experience of their design. Students will work as a team on a collective design, with each participant developing a different aspect of the project, from dust-gathering materials, air monitoring and accessibility. A physical mockup of the lions will be proposed for the GSAPP end of the year show.
INSTITUTIONAL COLLABORATION
We will collaborate with Columbia University IT / Emerging Technologies.
COLLABORATION WITHIN GSAPP
This class will be conducted in dialogue with Prof. Anthony Vanky’s course “Urban Sensing and Data” (PLA6102-1) which meets Tuesdays 11 am-1 pm.
Pre-requisites:
The course is open to GSAPP students in Historic Preservation, M.Arch, AAD, CCCP, Urban Planning, and Real Estate Development. There are no pre-requisites. Students with previous knowledge of art, sculpture, 3D scanning, 3D modelling software, archival research, and building materials are particularly encouraged.
Learning Objectives:
Students will learn to analyze materials, document existing buildings, use archival documents to guide a restoration, employ VR technology to visualize their designs, and 3D print mock ups.
Course Format:
The format of the class will be that of an atelier, with faculty guiding the project and providing individual and collective feedback to students on their designs. Some sessions will take the form of lectures on topics such as experimental preservation methods, and others will be training sessions on particular technologies or software necessary to advance the designs.
The class will collectively conceptualize and execute an experimental preservation project. The goal is for the project to help visitors experience Avery Hall as a long term environmental sensors.
Course Readings:
All course readings are provided as digital files in the "files" section of this course site.
Class Grade:
10% 3D scanning exercise
10% archival research exercise
10% materials identification and performance exercise
10% VR model exercise
20% class preparation, motivation and contributions to the project’s development
40% VR modeling of individual experimental preservation project
Class Schedule:
Jan 19
Session 1 – Introduction to Experimental Preservation:
Presentation by Prof. Otero-Pailos
Required Reading:
Jorge Otero-Pailos, “Experimental Preservation,” in Places Journal, (September 2016): https://placesjournal.org/article/experimental-preservation
Thordis Arrhenius, “Monumental and Non-Monumental Strategies,” in Experimental Preservation (2016), 41-56.
Erik Fenstad Langdalen, “(Pre)served at the Table,” in Experimental Preservation (2016), 169-185.
Jacques Herzog, “Material and Performance,” in Future Anterior 13, 2 (Winter 2016)
Jan 26
Session 2
Class practicum will focus on 3D scanning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4tufXLHe8&t=1s
Feb 2
Session 3
Class practicum focusing on 3D scanning and analysis.
Feb 9
Session 4
Class practicum focusing on archival documentation and analysis.
Visit to the archives of the Museum of the City of New York. www.nyhistory.org
- Bags of any size
- Umbrellas
- All outerwear, such as overcoats, raincoats, parkas, anoraks, windbreakers, and jackets
- Binders, folders, notebooks, index cards, books, and pens
Feb 16
Session 5
Class practicum workshop training on VR software.
led by John P. Martin of Columbia CU IT Emerging Technologies.
Feb 23
Session 6
Class practicum: combining 3D scans and new design (groups 1 + 4 deliverables) into VR.
*make sure to apply the deliverables of groups 3+4 to your new entrance design 1) building code and 2) what you have learned about the ability of building materials to chemically react to and "sense" the airborne dust and environmental forces. Place materials in such a way that they will "collect" environmental dust and be worn by the bodies of people interacting with it.
**bring your code + materials documentation and analysis to class.
Guest lecturer: Andre Jauregui
March 2
Session 7
Class practicum focusing on building materials documentation and analysis.
Guest lecture: Andre Jauregui
March 9
Session 8
Class practicum focusing on VR modeling and design.
March 23
Session 9
Class practicum focusing on VR modeling and design.
Guest lecture: Andre Jauregui
March 30
Session 10
Class practicum focusing on VR modeling and design.
Guest Lecture: Andre Jauregui
April 6
Session 11
Class practicum focusing on 3D printing the lion sculpture as environmental sensor.
April 13
Session 12
Class practicum focusing on 3D printing the lion sculpture as environmental sensor.
April 20
Session 13
Final presentation of 3D printed lion and VR experience.
April 27
Session 14
Mock up of End of Year Show installation
Course Environment
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Course Summary:
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