Download pdf - 20130315 social architecture

Social ArchitectureSocial Networks + Architecture

by TED Senior Fellow, Cesar [email protected] | skype : cesarminoruharada

Proposal for TED Fellows

retreat 2013, Whistler, BC Canada

Saturday, 16 March 13

mailto:[email protected]


Social ArchitectureWhy?


Today, Architecture constraints social life and perpetuates status quo


Today, social networks expand our social lives and nourish global consciousness


Can social networks generate an architecture?

How do we challenge status quo, expand our social lives and embody global consciousness ?


Social ArchitectureHow?


Ingredients

- a big space- many people- 100 PVC tubes- 2000 meters of thread- 200 meters of tape- 1000 meters of paper- 20 kg of glue & brushes- 5 litres of ink

Low cost. Harmless.


Step 1

Brownian motion:Get people to move, warm up, play together. At this stage it feels a lot like the beginning of a dance class. People walk in random patterns, with their eyes opened, and closed.


Step 2

Linear network:Top view. One line connects everyone. Each square is a person. Each line is a thread.


Step 3

Branched network:We cut the one line in some places to create branched networks.


Step 4

Complex network:Everyone is connected to everyone. That is a lot of thread. It allows less “social mobility”. So which network do you feel more comfortable in?


Step 5

Voronoi cells:Think about bubbles. The shape of the bubbles can be described as the minimum surface between maximum volumes.


Step 6

Tensile arches:At the intersection of each cell, a vertical “column” is “planted”. Think of a bow and arrow :connect the 2 ends of a PVC pipe with a thread, and pull until it bends into an arc. That’s how simple and light the structure is.


Step 7

Skin:Imagine the largest paper mache you have ever seen. The PVC tube is the skeleton, the paper is the skin. We use wallpaper glue that dries in a few minutes.


Step 8

Play!!!The structure is now built. The thin walls are semi-transparent and let some light filter through, creating a feeling of “intimate alcoves” as well as larger “public spaces”.


Social ArchitectureImpact


Experience

Meet others.Build our own space together.Team building.Spirit of play.Create intimacy, trust. Create public space.


Offline + Online

Real social network + Virtual social network. We use the Facebook API (face recognition) to connect every person to every person making sure all the fellows are connected in both the real and the virtual world - strengthening our family.


Deliverables

- Space for expression, play, discussion- Brainstorming surface- Amazing videos- Photos- Testimonials- Art, Performances- Pop up maker space- and, if you want, a short 3 minutes talk


Media

Such a large scale ephemeral structure attracts media attention. The unique aesthetics of the structure are also likely to make it an icon for the community and the outside world as something we built.


Sponsorship

Many large brands would love to get associated with such energy, as a nexus of creativity.


Social ArchitecturePeople


TED Fellows

WOOT WOOT !!!The TED Fellows program brings young innovators from around the world into the TED community in order to amplify the impact of their projects and activities. And that works even better when they know each other well.


Cesar HaradaFrench-Japanese TED Senior fellow. Cesar’s family’s business is structural engineering building train stations, factories, & observatories in Japan. Cesar has been working with his father on outdoor monumental stone sculptures since childhood, and independently as a construction manager in 4 continents. Cesar is not intimidated about building this lightweight structure.


Social ArchitectureLogistics


SafetyThe structure is so light, so no safety gear is required for participants.

Fire : it is easy to add a fire retardant on the paper structure.

Weather : we can waterproof the paper.

Wind : we can stabilise the structure using sand bags.


EnvironmentAfter the event, the PVC tubes can be donated to a local architectural salvage, and the paper can be recycled.


More informationCesar [email protected] : cesarminoruharada


