2019 | Arc 301 | Instructor: Elaine Chow | University at Buffalo

Project Team: Zhi Li

Contribution: Design development, model making, digital drawings.

The project explores the principles of buoyancy by translating natural forms for inspiration, such as water striders and water lettuce, into a man-made structure. The design features a series of interconnected pods linked by short bridges, promoting circulation and connectivity among different programs. A rope system within the pods serves as a stabilizing force, maintaining tension in the floorboards while creating semi-private thresholds that modulate visibility and access to the surrounding lake. The approach not only enhances the structural stability and buoyancy but also creates a dynamic relationship between users and the aquatic environment. My contributions included drawings, design development, assembly, model construction, and pattern making.