Photo by Aidan McGloin
Cal Poly held its annual Design Village competition over Earth Day weekend, April 20-22. The event, hosted by the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, invites teams of students from across disciplines to create temporary shelters based on a central theme.
For more than 40 years, the competition has been one of the college's largest and most anticipated events. Design Village 2018 was no different: Twenty-six teams, composed of Cal Poly first-year architecture and architectural engineering students, competed.
Inspired by the theme, Balance, the teams created shelters made from such diverse materials as cardboard drums, rope, aluminum, plastic and wood. Students gained valuable Learn by Doing experience in developing their submissions, from concept and design to transport and construction. According to first-year architecture major and Bracco Studio team member Erica David, "Paying attention to details and fully working out every aspect of the project during the design phase" were key lessons.
Students reconstructing the geodesic dome in Poly Canyon.
Ease of assembly and weight of the structures were critical factors, as competition rules necessitate that entries be transported to the site by human conveyance only. The rules also require that structures be built in 12 hours or less, use off-the-grid power and house the team for the weekend.
Entries were judged on their craftsmanship, sustainability, design excellence, suitability to the theme and public response. The Bracco Studio team received the Best Overall Award in the Cal Poly competition for its white corrugated plastic design called "Iceberg." The striking creation was intended to "juxtapose the fluidity of the landscape," says Erica, who considers living in the structure that she and her teammates designed and built as the best part of the event. "It was a fantastic culmination of all of our hard work."
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