Langdon Center for Canola Research and Technology

Ana and I are working pretty well together and have come up with a plan that combines both of our original concepts. The major differences in the originals were that Anas plan had a radial organization and was straight edged. Mine had a linear organization and had lots of curved lines. But, we each agree about placement of functions and orientation and, after combining our plans into one, we quickly agreed to go forward with it. Be harsh guys. Critical feedback is what really helps. I promise not to take it personally :) Any thoughts, suggestions, questions, and observations are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Stocking the Bank: BioAgro Defense

Here are the slides from my research for "Stocking the Bank". It might seem like stocking the bank is not the most interesting or exciting part of the process for these projects, but it really is an invaluable tool for gathering information. It takes quite a bit of pressure off having to research so many different avenues for a design solution.

Like I mentioned in my presentation today, my topic can be seemingly banal or uninteresting, but it is a major cause for concern among those who conduct agricultural research, especially when developing new strains of a particular crop. Much of the study happening today in agriculture deals with the existing crops’, or newly developed crops’ ability to grow in different environmental conditions, ability to resist disease and damaging environmental factors, erosion and sustainable agricultural practices, and how genetically altered food affects the environment and consumers, i.e. humans, livestock, scavengers.

Whenever new developments are occurring, especially when they deal directly with public health, it is important to institute the necessary practices to facilitate safe research. The United States Department of Agriculture along with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention work to protect public health. BSL facilities, or Biosafety Level facilities, are those buildings, structures or laboratories that have a specific contamination prevention rating. The levels range from 1, the lowest, to 4 the highest level of security. These security measures prevent outbreaks of potentially harmful agricultural materials, such as crop and animal waste, untested new crop strains, and biological pathogens. All of the BSL-4 facilities in the United States are in relatively populated areas; Atlanta, GA, San Antonio and Galveston, TX, and Bethesda, MD. There has never been a biological contamination in these areas that relates to the research conducted in the aforementioned facilities. This is because the necessary steps are taken to protect public health and perform valuable research.

Kansas State University is the new home to a BSL-3 facility, and from what I can gather, will be able to conduct research from multiple areas, but mainly will focus on researching biological threats that affect humans and domesticated animals.

I feel like this design challenge we have been given is an excellent opportunity to assess whether or not a facility like this would be appropriate for North Dakota State University. Even though we have been given different sites, NDSU, as Milt mentioned more than once, has researchers in multiple states across the United States. North Dakota has incredible potential agriculturally and can be a front runner of investigation for new agricultural techniques, crop variations and mutations, and food safety.

One product that North Dakota is especially known for is Sunflower Seeds and Oils. North Dakota remains the largest producer of sunflowers in the United States. This is why I included the image along with the chart of top the 5 North Dakota exports. Some varieties of sunflowers produce latex, a natural substance that is used in everything from household items and automotive applications, to sterile medical products. New developments in the use of sunflowers as an alternative source of latex, just as corn and other renewable resources have become alternative sources for fuel, could prove interesting and successful, both economically and sustainably.

Photographs of the Ice House Model

Ice House Board

This is the final product board for my ice fishing house. In the end, my design became more permanent instead of one that could collapse to save space. I guess I cared more about creating a whimsical experience than I did about simple transport and erection. When I was on the ice, I couldn't always tell what was near and what was far. Especially during the day, when the sun is shining off the ice and snow, that idea of scale is significantly skewed. With my form, I tried to create the illusion of grain elevators in the distance. Because this region is so flat, I hoped it would offer an odd sort of familiarity, if not an ironic one. Something to the effect of, "Are we really, on the lake? What are those grain bins doing there in the middle?" And as one closes the gap between far and near, they start to recognize scale, surface treatment, and, if the fisherman inside is clever, hoorahs and exclamations from the structure.

Continuing the theme of "whimsical experience", I experimented with the different surface treatments to create textures and effects that one usually doesn't see, especially in this region. Midwest architecture, particularly in very agricultural communities, tends to be very much about practicality, efficiency, and opportunity. This can result in very sensible and systematic structures or perhaps very unique, piecewise arrangements. I wanted to create a meeting between those two, offering a space efficient shelter with a little bit of "left-field" experiential treatment.

I am quite fond of Bart Prince and his quirky surface treatments, and, as a result, shingled the curved forms in a more organic fashion. This hopefully creates contrast to the typical board and batten siding of the rest of the structure takes. I very much enjoy taking things and putting them beside others that are completely different. To me, it makes things interesting. And, I hope you enjoy it. I will be sure to add photographs of the model as soon as it is returned to me.

As an added bonus, please enjoy this link a friend forwarded to me to sum up her thoughts about ice fishing! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os19uEyJNQo

Goals

We are to compile a list of our goals for this semester. I've been putting this off because I seem to have some kind of issue with goal setting. But I think I have one that I undoubtedly would like to meet this year. I would like to be happy with every design I submit.

First Impressions

I'd have to say my first experience ice fishing was interesting. It was February 14th, 2009. I was unprepared, frozen, and we hand-drilled 4 holes through 20+ inches with a dull auger. But, I caught a perch, so overall success! I was able to take a few photographs before the temperature caused my camera to malfunction. Sadly, that didn't include the MONSTER perch... like maybe 5-6 inches long, that I caught.

This was my first impression with ice fishing. First impressions are completely overrated in my opinion. I'd love to go again. Now that I have an idea what to expect and can prepare accordingly, I'll be able to dominate the walleye tourneys.

This experience is certainly on my mind now that we have been given an opportunity to design an ice fishing house. I'd like to be able to create a simple house; easy to transport, erect, and store, as well as provide a comfortable and pleasant space to dwell while fishing.

Advice from Dad

I think a parent must worry sometimes that his or her words are not getting through to a child. This is probably the case with me, since I am perpetually distracted, but there are a few things that stuck over the years. So, I'd very much like to pass on a piece of advice from my dad to all those who come across my postings. Design, Build.