2021-2022 / Barkman Concrete Design Competition – Year End Exhibition

Construction Materials:

Barkman Concrete Design Competition

Instructor: John Harper

EVLU 4002

The use of construction materials seems unlimited today. Everything can be ordered or shipped if the budget allows it. Thousands of possibilities are offered on the market, and the assortment of materials and construction solutions is gigantic. This course will show the variety of natural and artificial building materials and their historical and contemporary applications. Research into natural stone, concrete, brick, asphalt, wood, and plants will help you to focus on key materials used in construction today.

We will also discuss basic regulatory issues and techniques common to landscape architecture. Fieldtrips will support lectures in a demonstrative way themed “walk, inspect and understand.” I hope that the course will provide you with an impetus to a passion for site design and construction detailing.

Materials and construction details correspond to a design idea. Your original design ideas influence the selection of construction materials, while material selection can boost the design. You should learn to value details and materials so that you can create convincing and coherent design results. We will look at what is possible and focus on what makes sense in relation to specific design purposes. In addition to design function and visual impact, we will also discuss issues of maintenance and sustainability. Our study of design proposals and their realization as built projects will help students reflect on and illustrate their own design and building ideas.

1st Place

BOLD Simplicity

Danielle Dubois + Holly Friesen

The basic but bold shape of the triangle is used as a pattern to direct movement through space or focus attention to an area of interest. The triangle can be used to make simple or complex patterns, and classic to contemporary atmospheres, depending on the desired outcome.

2nd Place

The Onion

Jia Garcia + Myles O’Toole + Victor Sarzynski

The proposed design was inspired with the idea of optical illusions. It was also inspired to create a soft curvature quality, much like a pillow, and not a simple orthogonal geometry. Adding a curved element to flat strips constitutes a more inviting, less cold, and softer feel. While the illusion aspect bestows a confusing and deceptive sense. To achieve this, the product would be produced through a wet cast production which would help create the smooth, curved lines needed in the design. Moulds would be used to help shape the flowable concrete into the curved strips needed. The proposed design consists of four concrete strips that were created, and mirrored, which resulted in a pattern showing a curved illusion. The strips are to be arranged to create products such as pavers, walls, and benches.

3rd Place

INFLUX

Jen Bergen + Conrad Jabo + Brandon Nacionales

The Wave pattern was inspired by the movement of the earth’s element, water. It brings fluidity to the strong and hard use of concrete by softening the edges and creating continuous movement. Creating a simple wave design contributes to the entirety of the display and function by working to create a large pattern when placed together. The pattern can be manipulated and rotated to create new patterns and suit a desired look for the intended space.