Fifth Year Thesis
Research and Design - 1995
Instrumentation, nature and Architecture
Period one year
Architecture as an Instrument like a laboratory under scrutiny by the natural world.
Instruments are a reflection of the natural world’s physics and geometry and can be a generator
of Architectural form with function.
How to design, build and live in harmony with the natural world by determining its physics, geometry
and patterns through the in-depth study of materials and mechanics with navigational and astronomical
instruments-specifically of the Islamic world with its history-that have been a vital force affecting
the shape of our present world.
Built: A mechanical instrument that measures latitude and longitude as a generator of form to follow
function and a ‘Dhow’ or an ancient sailing vessel-used for trading by Arabs and other traders-was the site on water. The result, through a rigorous study, making and investigation of various materials and instrumentation (astronomical/navigational/clockwork/boats) formed a research and design thesis. One year of work. Ultimately, this thesis was on the infantile path of attempting to question and understand what today we call sustainable and green design.
Instrument: Longitude and Latitude finder
Media: Cherry wood, delrin, aluminim, maple wood
Hand sketches, construction and mechanical system of gears
Entire construction hand machined and hand constructed from a cherry wood
The physics of materiality and motion or mechanics was an essence of this project
Mechanical engineering in gearing systems was studied and applied
(Study and experimental design with navigational, astronomical instruments
focusing on the Islamic world; boat building and clockwork design)
Sciences in Islamic design.
Site: Dhow in the sea or ocean
Drawings and sketches of Dhow, design and as site
Construction model of a Dhow with skeleton and skin
Apprenticed with the National Gallery of Canada's Model Boat builder
Apprenticed with a clock maker
