Static Machines, Fragile Loads

Abstract

Ramps are usually perceived as utilitarian objects emerging from standardized guidelines for architecture and landscape architecture. But closer examination reveals they can be quite beautiful and poetic. What we commonly call ramps, Galileo referred to as inclined planes, counting them as one of six classical simple machines in Le Meccaniche (On Mechanics) . Because inclined planes are actually static machines that do not require any energy to run. They do not discriminate among users. This thesis explores the work of the ramp in moving fragile loads, such as human beings.