Curvature Bench

thingiverse

I decided to flip the script on "building bridges" by injecting my own creative spin into the project's design. To socially "build bridges," there had to be a visible divide between two or more communities or identities, so I conceptualized something that would visually balance two parts or exhibit symmetry that immediately grabs the viewer's attention. Ideally, I wanted viewers' eyes to focus on the central element (the bench) by designing curved forms at either end that appeared melted and molded like an industrial turbine. Since "building bridges" was my primary design criterion, I knew my structure had to incorporate a real bridge that would merge each separate aspect into one unified form. To achieve this, I decided to add a ring-shaped component that connected the two outer, curved forms enclosing and defining the space between them. Next, I wanted to amplify the "building bridges" theme by transforming the ring structure into a bench because public benches foster community interaction, which is essential when bridging social gaps. If this design were to be constructed, I would prefer it to be situated on the empty patio outside Burton D. Morgan, facing the commons area, as its modernist aesthetic aligns with the building's geometric style featuring glass, metal, and lightly hued woods polished to create an open-air environment. Additionally, placing it in the commons area would provide a focal point that encourages faculty and students to interact with each other, given the abundance of open space. In terms of dimensions, if built, I would want it to be 10 feet tall at its highest point, 14 feet long, and 8 feet wide (the bench's diameter and space between the curved structures). From a material standpoint, if my design were to be constructed in front of Burton Morgan, I would opt for sandstone granite with a darkened finish that's been polished and waterproofed to boost weather resistance. Alternatively, it could be made from polished, water- and bug-proofed birch with a light hue.