Browsing by Author "Clark, David B."

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    930 sqft of Architecture
    Clark, David B. (Virginia Tech, 2008-10-20)
    There is no primacy to Architecture. For centuries architects have posited formulaic approaches to creating spatial environments. Bold maxims for design have defined entire periods and styles of architecture, and each subsequent postulation attempts to disprove the former by challenging its theories against imperfect realizations. Yet nearly all have the same fault; they prioritize characteristics of architecture, attempting to design according to absolutisms of thought and process. I believe this to be a dangerous mode of operation, as absolutisms can be extremely complex and difficult to grasp conceptually, let alone to manifest into realities. Reducing architecture to processes of selection, generalization, singularities, and priorities is just clever ways of dealing with complexity in an attempt to make the intangible tangible. This "reduction" and "simplification" can only hold value as a tool for the study and analysis of architecture, not its practice and execution. Although architecture is universally conditional, it has been assigned universal qualities over time in theory and practice. I believe time requires that those qualities be subject to change and reinterpretation so that architecture may maintain proper relevance, barring one constant: all qualities must exist by virtue of the others and cannot be seen independently; one quality is no more than an aspect of the others. To better explore this notion, three criteria (qualities, generators) have been identified as a measure for critical analysis of three architectural research projects. They are built from a history of pre-defined criterion, named and redefined in an attempt to elevate a personal study and practice of architecture at a period in time. These projects have a high degree of personal influence and involvement, and so this becomes in a way a self-analysis in the study and practice of architecture. The intention of this compendium is to gain insight towards a personal definition of architecture through an analysis of architectural theory and precedence in comparison to work that is reflective of personal architectonics. In time, I hope it will have continued to develop.
  • Thumbnail Image
    An Exploration Towards Form:  A Photovoltaic Charging Station Design for Electric Scooters at Virginia Tech
    Salcedo, Milton A. (Virginia Tech, 2013-07-10)
    This project is a proposal on the versatile use of glass, its properties and technologies as well as its aesthetic qualities. A photovoltaic charging station for electric scooters is proposed for the Virginia Tech campus, combined with a bus shelter to allow mobility and integration of transportation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Modular building system
    (United States Patent and Trademark Office, 2013-02-12)
    The present invention relates to the field of modular building systems. Embodiments of the invention include, a modular building system comprising planar sheets of material and moment connections, which are combined with tool-less or limited tool assembly mechanisms and can be used, for example, as spatial partitions, platforms, structural supports, or supports for articles. Specific embodiments of the invention provide structures having a seemingly homogenous, flowing ribbon structure. One embodiment of the invention provides an exhibition support system comprising: (a) at least two planar support members comprising: (i) a top panel with a top planar surface; (ii) a parallel bottom panel with a bottom planar surface; and (iii) multiple walls disposed lengthwise between the panels; wherein the panels and walls define interior hollow cells with inner surfaces and a selected inner cell height and inner cell width; and (b) at least one moment connection with two elongated members: (i) disposed at an angle of orientation relative to one another; and (ii) having a height or width to allow for a pressure fit within one of the cells along the inner cell height or width of the planar member when inserted therein; whereby structural support for the system is internal and is provided lengthwise within the planar support members at the inner surfaces of the cell that interfaces with the elongated members when inserted therein.