The proposed bridge connects the Robinson Street to Central Boulevard and includes a small museum about the History of Orlando as a destination to support the cause for crossing. With such a concept in mind not only the residents of Orlando will directly benefit from the atmosphere of the monumental bridge but also its potential tourist attraction characteristics will benefit the surrounding neighborhoods in downtown Orlando.

High resiliency and performance features of steel under harsh conditions, specifically hurricanes in Florida, and its capability to cover large spans provides the opportunity to emphasis on the innovative and sculptural design characteristics of the bridge as the primary structural material.

Using the parametric design solutions is considered as the primary strategy to design the proposed steel bridge through the combination of Rhino and grasshopper definitions. The grasshopper definitions described below are with reference to the Alex Hogrefe website and are answering the sun protection and structural requirements of the design. Generative Louver System used on the façade, truss exploration connects the façade and the roof through a structural elements and Weave flows on the roof surface of the form.

Prototypes

Coral texture construction step1

UF/City Lab - Project 2/Grasshopper

As usual steel material is associated with innovative architecture with expressive lines, complicated forms and large-scale constructions. This project, on the opposite, will be an effort to find connections between modern technology and nature, and create light friendly environment with different options for people to turn from the main direction while crossing the bridge and enjoy the journey  The inspiration point is the branch of the tree leaned over the river. The bridge is going to be located on the East side of Lake Eola, Orlando, FL, and will be enclosing the area, actively populated by birds. One of the most amazing bird on the planet - swan - is a famouse citizen of this lake and is the other inspiration point for this project. The bridge is going to be not only the link between two banks, but also a theme park in some sense. The main pavilion contains the function of the swan museum and is located on the edge of one of the paths.

The structure of the roof of the museum is a system of cylinders, arranged along the curvilinear surface. Each cylinder is going to become a light, and all together they will compose a light installation itself, which will create a special effect by playing with the reflection on the surface of the water. The museum consist of three levels, connected with each other by elevator and stair. The well of the elevator is the construction made of steel as well. The qualities of the material will allow to console the levels on it.

The Swan World Bridge is a place to come and enjoy the pure beauty of the swans and learn about these wonderful birds. The bridge is also a gallery where different photo expositions on the swans thematic might take place. The paths of the bridge lead to different options. Visitors can enjoy pedaling a boat or just seating on the island, surrounded by swans. On the other side of the bridge there is a main museum - the building which itself is an installation and a play of the light and reflection. The levels are located not only above the ground, but also on a lower level, where you can see what swans are doing dawn there while dipping their beautiful long necks under the water. After all, the construction of the bridge itself would be an attraction and cause interest of pedestrians by curvilinear interior spaces. 

Project 2 - Zach Horvath - Pedestrian Bridge

Here is an updated design from my previous red canopy.  The intention is to span Lake Eola in downtown Orlando, connecting the residential areas to the North with the nightlife to the South.  The shiny spiral structure is forced to one side, creating a floating cantilever effect for the pedestrian and views of the iconic Lake Eola fountain and downtown.

Project 2 - Hillsborough River Bridge

Positive Impact

This bridge intervention is designed to serve many purposes in a very positive fashion.  Located on the shore of the inter coastal waterway between NASA's Cape Canaveral and mainland Titusville, the intervention directly impacts a delicate breading ground for Atlantic aquatic life.  The structure keeping the bridge standing has been broken into numerous smaller elements to provide habitat that will strengthen the bond with nature by mimicing mangroves that shelter aquatic wildlife.  The path has a subtle incline placing the surrounding environment on display while remaining delicate enough to not intrude the view of NASA launches from observers located in boats on the water.  The pavilion provides shelter from the Florida rain and sunshine while allowing fishing to the west and premium views to the east, which displays NASA facilities and rocket launches.

This project is a current work in progress, allowing the conceptual nature to be displayed.  Keep a look out in May for the final project that will include a specific office branch and will introduce a physical link as a true bridge should, as well as, new grasshopper definitions.

K Sheppard
http://issuu.com/kylesheppard

Zach's Prototype_1

UF/ City lab Project 1 Paneling tools

Daria Petrova

UF / City lab Project - 1 Paneling tools

Justin Fong

UF/City lab Project 1 Paneling tools

Wall-Roof-Floor studies 

Maryam Tabrizchi

UF/ city lab Project 1 Paneling tools

Antonio Laudani

UF City Lab Project 1 Paneling tools

Gretel Castillo

UF /City Lab Project 1 - Paneling tools

Chris Corwin

UF/ City lab Project 1 Paneling tools

Daniel Mikolaschek

UF/ City lab Project 1 - Paneling tools

Eddie Pabon

Digital Fabrication ARC 586 Group C

University of Miami

ARC 586- Digital Fabrication

Audrey Barth - David Chonillo - Chris Stoddard

Digital Fabrication | University of Miami
Sun Meng, Fausto Rivas, Jennifer Estime, Miles Glover

Steel Competition

UF City Lab Orlando students to join ACSA Steel competition; for further information please see the following link:

http://www.acsa-arch.org/programs-events/competitions/2012-13-steel

Welcome UM and UF students !

Welcome to DIGITAL ARCHITECTURE + FABRICATION blog !

Students, please feel free to post your work as you develop  in-class assignments and projects. Please label each post accordingly and type a brief description of the tools and the process you have used.
Remember that as a digital initiative this blog is meant to serve as an extra resource, so comment on each others work or any other relevant posts.