Collapse
Collapse is an exploration of an alternative application of Sunbrella's awning and marine fabrics. The proposal, a short pedestrian bridge, is located in an environment that requires building materials that are durable in the face of strong winds, variable humidity, and generous sun exposure. This project proposes the use of fabric to generate a useful and pleasant public space despite these often harsh weather conditions. A typical bridge generally functions solely as a transitory space - a means to an end. Collapse aims to engage the bridge's users by allowing them to manipulate the degree to which the bridge is shaded at any point in time. This is achieved by taking marine fabric that is folded and pressed into a simple tessellation and using it to create a flexible, accordion-style shade that spans between two metal frames. The nature of the geometric tessellation allows the shade to completely wrap around the bridge and create a sense of enclosure and space. Users are protected from the sun by the shade, but are still able to enjoy the patterns created by the sun's light as it falls across the folds of the tessellation. A boardwalk and benches along one half of the bridge invite users to adjust the shade to an arrangement of their choosing and then spend some time enjoying the bridge as a unique piece of infrastructure and type of experience before continuing on their journey, as opposed to simply passing by.