Form & Function
Without FORM or FUNCTION we cannot exist....
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Form & Function
In architecture, form refers to the physical appearance and design of a structure, while function refers to its purpose and the role it plays in its environment. When it comes to the architecture of bridges, the form and function are closely related and often interdependent.
The Bridge Project
This project involves using a household item with hinges to create a mechanism that can open and close a roadbed on a real-life bridge. The goal is to simplify the mechanism while ensuring that it operates safely and efficiently, potentially making a significant impact on the functionality and safety of real-life bridges.
Span Prototypes
Movement Analogies
I took three different household items with hinges to simplify its mechanism and understand how it works. The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of how the mechanism functions and identify ways to simplify it for future applications.
Combination Table: The Drawing Board
Combining three different tools and three different bridges helped me with deciding which form and function was best for my project.
The Cable-Stayed Bridge
A cable-stayed bridge is a type of bridge where the deck is supported by cables attached to one or more towers. This design allows for a high level of flexibility and adaptability, making it well-suited for changing its form.
The Umbrella Effect
An umbrella movement mechanism is a type of mechanism used in umbrellas where the umbrella opens and closes in a circular motion. This mechanism may be suitable for a bridge's road bed opener for the following reasons:
- Compact design
- Smooth operation
- Ability to handle a range of loads
FUNCTION
Combining this umbrella effect with a few other mechanisms allowed this tool to evolve and be apart of something bigger than it's normal task.
OPENED
CLOSED
PROGRESSION
FORM
Over this Progression Display we can see how the form of the bridge was changed to accommodate this function but still be able to structural hold up this bridge.
Finished Form & Function
The umbrella movement was analyzed and incorporated as a function to lift and lower a moveable component of a road bed for a bridge.
