This is right on the heels of a guest lecture in the Architecture Department by Frank Barkow of Barkow Leibinger Architekten. Much of his work revolves around digital fabrication and the role of parametric design in architecture. A large contributing factor of his success comes from the fact that his firm develops relationships with outside professionals who have the tools and the knowledge to fabricate components of their design (e.g. Campus Restaurant and Gate House). In one project (Trutect Tower), they actually designed and fabricated a full scale curtain wall in their own office and sent their collaborating engineer to Seoul in order to teach the Korean manufacturers how to put it together.

Between the work at Barkow Leibinger, and a similar mode of operation at SHoP Architects (where they partner with their own construction firm), it’s clear that architects are responsible for making again. Our bike shelter, on a much smaller scale, has been a process of collaboration and professional outreach just like these larger projects.

On the heels of the outdoor classroom project erecting their wood columns, members of The Camas Pedal Team spent a beautiful Saturday hoisting 14 beams in place at Camas Ridge (special thanks to Jesse Crupper for lending his Toyota Tundra for the job). Both projects are really starting to shape the school’s former blacktop and complement the garden area. This was a big step for the team, now a year and a half into the project. The donated doug-fir beams (courtesy of Zip-O log mills) are finished with the same wood stain used by the outdoor classroom to achieve some unity between the two projects. They look great against the galvanized steel and concrete. It’s hard to believe a year ago we were designing this thing, discussing its form and choosing materials, and now we’re seeing those decisions come to life.

We did have one hiccup which we will have to deal with over the coming weeks. One front column’s footing is higher than it should be, which throws off the repetition of the beams. This will have an impact on how the purlins will line up as they were fabricated based on specific dimensions. Aside from the adjustments we’ll have to make in the next phase of this project (placing the purlins), the angle of the beam is off, interrupting the repetition of the wood (which otherwise looks really nice). It’s frustrating when something like this happens during the construction of a model in studio (most noticeable in photographs), so one can imagine the impact of catching a mistake like this on a realized project, something that cannot be fixed. It will be one of those little things that only we will see, but we will see it every time we look. It was by no means a mistake to blame on any one, rather another valuable lesson in craft and the impact of small discrepancies that will make us all better for the next project.

Today was our last build day of the term, so we have a little bit of time to get some advice and reach out to some professionals who might be willing to lend a hand in our purlin process. Nate and Nick will be meeting this week to talk about the schedule and work out the next few milestones before the racks get installed in May or early June. Next up are the purlins, a roof with the help of the folks at Skyline Sheet Metal, another art tile workshop to plan, a couple of benches to fabricate, planters to fill, and if all goes well a big ribbon cutting to celebrate handing it over to the school.

We are rockin’ and rollin’ and ready to cut some beautiful wood beams! Below is a time lapse video from today and from our second pour on December 4th.

Video from January 22nd on Camas Pedal Bike Shelter

Video from December 4th on Camas Pedal Bike Shelter

Firstly, i am continually impressed with our progress from week to week. I think as a group we are learning how to build together, and as individuals Nate and I are learning how best to prepare for and manage the help we get. As with all designBridge projects, labor (and the enthusiasm that comes with it)  is our biggest asset. Without our volunteers we would never be this far along. We are now in our fourth term of building and I cannot overstate how incredible it has been to see people come out every week. We have also started reaching out a little more to teachers and parents of Camas Ridge who have graciously stepped in to offer labor and occasionally some well timed, delicious snacks for the crew.

Secondly, this past weekend’s crew deserves a shout out. It was wet. Really wet. Really, really wet. A big thank you to everyone who came despite the weather. The following people get awards for their performance (see gallery for pictures):

Kelsey: most valuable contortionist.

Dan Anthony: best choice of first day to show up

Nate: longest arms and dirtiest hands.

Work has been slow this summer – our build leads are in two other countries, half our team is out of town and the other half have a lot on their plates with summer classes or great internships – but we rallied some troops to take off the pieces of steel one by one.

When all was said and done we unloaded over 5,000 lbs of steel – a nice little workout!

We can’t really thank the crew at WW Steel enough for all they’ve done for us. They read our drawings and made shop drawings out of them, then fabricated the columns, purlins, anchor bolts and bolt-templates, then managed to get the shipping donated by the same trucking company that hauled all the steel for the Arena job, CRST Mallone. In fact, their donation really helped to create the momentum that carried us in some crucial phases of the project. Once again – An enormous, bikecited thank you to WW Steel.

[click any picture to see the full gallery]

John from CRST Mallone

Caitlin and Jon

a great showing!

Henry's holding one of our columns!!

nick carrying another column

brian and erin - so strong

Henry and Nick headed over to Zip-O-Log Mills last week to pick up the wood that was generously donated by the local lumber yard. They didn’t really know how much wood had been donated, so they were a little unprepared with Henry’s truck (see pictures below).  But they made it back to the dB shop in one piece and now we have our beams and benches!

Obviously an enormous thank you to the crew at Zip-O-Log Mills for hooking us up with some beautiful lumber! Special thanks to Joe Honochik, the general manager for making it happen.

at the yard

safe at home in the dB shop