Brief: Choose a specific location on campus that is in need of a new bike rack, and design one based off of specific elements pulled from its surrounding environment. (Dr. Sébastien Proulx)

Location: The Ohio State University

Date: January 11 - 25, 2022 (2 weeks)

Constraints: The model must be constructed without computerized technology (no 3D printing, no laser cutting, etc.) at a 1/16th scale

Project Type: Individual

Choosing the Location:

I chose an array of bike racks outside of an Ohio State dormitory, Taylor Tower. The current bike racks are basic and simple (which isn't always a bad thing), and there was a lot of potential elements to pull from in the surrounding environment.

Initial Thumbnails:

I based my first ideas off of Taylor Tower's windows, ornate lighting, and nearby roundabout. Each set of thumbnails is based on a specific environmental element and focuses on a specific principle of design. 

Refined Thumbnails:

After discussion with Dr. Proulx and my peers, I chose to pursue the ones based on the roundabout to create contrast with the rectilinear building. I also began experimenting with scale, and how I would scale my design down to a model. 

Further Exploration:

I took to the iteration stage and developed several concepts for my roundabout-inspired bike rack. I drew these in perspective to be able to better visualize their final form.

Concept Development:

I chose my favorite iterations and added orthographic drawings and measurements for better visualization. 

Prototypes:

I developed the rotating circular design into an initial prototype, and after a class critique decided to close the circle and instead change it to a 3D sphere to add dimensionality to the final bike rack. 

Life Size Visualization:

I drafted a to-scale drawing of my bike rack design, deciding that the sphere needed to be bigger than I had originally intended. Cat for scale. 

Model Fabrication:

I constructed my final model using chipboard, wooden balls, putty, paint, and superglue. I cut the chipboard using a dremel and a bandsaw. 

Final Model:

Constructed at 1/16th scale, the 2.25 inch bike racks are intended to stand 3 feet tall. The chipboard has been spray-painted silver and the wooden balls have been painted red.