rainy days

Chelsea project update

In the last few weeks we seem to have been stuck with this project.
What with searching for funding or sponsorship and then receiving an email from the Corporation of London telling us we now need permission from Westminster Abbey and the Bishop of London because they also own a portion of the Postman's Park it's really diverted me from the design work. Sasha has been ploughing ahead with practical work and I'm feeling as though I'm playing catch up at this stage. We have a second proposal to hand in before the project can be signed off. It's a constant juggling act between each process I'm feeling a little stretched by trying to keep everything moving at the same time.

Yesterday one wet day trying to carry out tests
This is the pathway the installation is going to be positioned using the trees as hinge points.






The tree on the far left is also going to be included within the design so we are able to open the space up towards the side of the church. 
We want to use invisible twine to create a framework between the six trees for the fabric to be attached. Playing on the ides of elevation, invisibility, suspension. 

Eventhough, it was a dreadful day it did give us the chance to test the waterproof fabric samples. these were left for about 40-50 mins to see how effective this was. 






Some of these samples were partially waterproofed. Others we found out that once the fabric came into contact with another surface it started to absorb water. Various sections had been painted but we realised this was heavier and had to be completely painted. In a short time we had gathered quite a bit of information. Of course it's always a different story once everything is scaled up.




 These are the three fabrics we have selected to explore two are fire retardant and one is a sailing fabric so has been waterproofed. 
They each have a quality that would suit the project and fulfil the elements we are striving to achieve in the final design. 

In the meantime I'm going to begin making some 3d models. Sasha has already begun when I receive images I'll post them up........ 
It's the only way I can move forward as drawings are not helping at the moment. I need something more physical to start figuring out the possibilities for form and structure.