Peer Talk 02 _ Andrew tenBrink _ Staging Ground

Thesis Preparation_Methodology


Some methodology statements from last years' thesis students:
_Paola' methodology for her 'Crossing boundaries: the aesthetics of fragments':

PROCEEDING FROM SMALL TO BIG AND VICE-VERSA. 

THE AESTHETIC OF FRAGMENTS

Both as method and goal I would like to achieve flexibility and resilience by developing strategy. The idea of starting from the small scale implies the development of a single fragment of the system, a little fragment which can be easily (and cheaply) replicated to extend the system itself. The starting point of my research will be the definition of fragments. What is a landscape fragment? Clement, in his work “the third landscape” provides a generic definition of fragments, maybe classifiable as description. According to Elizabeth Grosz, “the space of the in-between is that which is not a space, a space without boundaries in its own, which takes on and receives itself, its form, from the outside, which is not its outside (this would imply that it has a form), but whose form is the outside of the identity, not just of an another (for that would reduce the in – between to the role of object, not of space) but of others, whose relations of positiv- ity define, by default, the space that is constituted as an in between” (Grosz, 2001). That quote highlights of the main characteristics of the spaces the proposal will address, the condition of residual, forgotten, don designed, not considered, left space. As Grosz mentions, these areas don’t have a given form or function, but they are the result of a big scale planning which cannot zoom enough to control completely the territory. The first phase of the investigation will be about mapping physical and administrative boundaries. These maps are going to be reversed: the idea is to consider as a positive and preeminent what is usually considered as negative, background of the map. Later, single pieces of the mosaic will be analyzed using micro scale section as main tool. This operation will highlight the spatial potentiality in terms of fragment surface expansion in section, and weakness of the boundaries, which can be crossed by fluid elements. The small scale will allow the control of the project both from the functional and the perceptive point of view. The strategy will address a functional agenda, but also generate public livable spaces. The designed fragment has to be weak enough (Branzi, 2004) to be adaptable to various urban conditions, future conditions, private desires, local needs. It will have to hybridize nature and culture, referring again to Latour. The weakness of the common strategy will enforce the aesthetic of fragments, a system in which a multitude of independent, individual elements may generate a “continuous variety”. These units can that spread in the city generating a diffuse system – pattern – mosaic of spaces at the human scale that can work also at the urban – regional scale if considered as a unified system. Playing with these metaphorical Lego bricks, will it be possible fill the third landscape and reconnect fragmentation without eliminating the infrastructures itself?

_Here is Forbes' methodology for her thesis 'Meat Matters':


This thesis seeks to engage the livestock sector across multiple scales, from the local to the global. To accomplish this objective, the project is divided in two phases. The first phase involves a systematic and telescopic approach to research, with a special emphasis on geo-spatial mapping, timeline creation, and a thorough exploration of existing operational typologies. The second phase employs research findings to develop typological strategies and tactical design maneuvers at the site-scale to gradually effect and reshape local, regional, and global livestock systems.


_Here is Christina's methodology for her thesis 'With or Without Water':

This design work takes inspiration from both intimate site experiences and detached mappings as an aerial observer. From fieldwork conducted on the site, this work seeks an understanding of vernacular adaptive responses to the problems of resource scarcity and environmental change. As a cartographic exercise, this work seeks to reveal and articulate regional conditions, patterns and flows that relate to these problems, but may not be otherwise evident at the local scale. Local and vernacular strategies will be examined and edited, then re-presented as an aggregated field of instances, with the designer as choreographer of these instances into larger regional networks.Though this work speculates as to potential outcomes of the field interventions, the design promotes resilience, spontaneity, and unexpected outcomes—thus encouraging an endless variety of viable emergent patterns.

_We had Andrew in class today talking about his thesis. Few points he made at the end of the class I found quite useful:

*producing final drawings

95% of the time focus on that, starting with thesis prep, this will pay of in multiple ways

*story board with or without your advisor

make sure your narrative make sense

*have a clear idea of what you will be producing and what you want it to look like

*keep your files organized, and create assignments for yourself

*get used to talking about your thesis topic

*have therapy/focus groups with your peers

*start a blog early, even if it is work in progress, it will pay off later

*have someone take notes for you or record your reviews

*plan on burning out at the need, but don't do it too early