a. buchanan

Cumulus Oculi BONOBOSre.FINE Burning Man Bench Larger-Than-Life

Theta Agnes Series 1 Deciduous

This portfolio is a sampling of my work as an undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The projects within demonstrate my experience in parametric design and fabrication, installation design, space planning, and furniture design.

[Holism]

cumulus oculi

abigail buchanan, sharece ramos, jack kennedy, anuj patel, caitlyn whisenant, heather williams, daniel salgado, sangni qu, alexis garcia, carlie blake, justin mcnair, blakeni walls, john jeppsson, jonathon anderson

designers

Cumulus Oculi is an air purification system that filters and recycles polluted air. Self-assembling itself over a city, this filtration system raises awareness of individuals’ role as not only a polluter but also a contributor to our threating air quality. Dense clusters of Oculi are seen over larger cities where the pollution is denser than normal and actively filters the air. As dirty air is filtered through the Cumulus Oculi, the Oculi illuminates, indicating that polluted air is being filtered and recycled back into the city. Cumulus Oculi serves as a live-stream visual of the changes in atmospheric pollution, enticing individuals around the world to do their part in minimizing the production and emission of pollution.

Installed within the Center for Visual Artists in downtown Greensboro, NC is a sampling of the proposed Cumulus Oculi: a built environment personified through light. Dormant in its solitary state, this environment is awakened by the user who navigates through the space. The sensors located within specific oculi detect users movement through space, triggering a sensor that illuminates a corresponding oculi. The environment’s unpredicted response causes users to analyze how their interactions effect the environment.

pollution density illustrated

surface triangulation

oculi surface division

laser cut triangles

grasshopper script subdivision

assembling surfaces

staples used to join tabs

suspending oculi’s from ceiling

installing fabric in each oculiopening exhibit

CO2 fossil fuels

CO2 d

efor

esta

tion

M

etha

ne

Nitrous Oxide Halocarbons

Today, climate change is an undeniable concern as we humans are continually increasing our emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The main source of climate change once come from the eruption of volcanoes releasing immense amounts of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, however people are now the greatest source of sulfur dioxide and climate change. We feel that until people make a conscious decision to lessen their role as a pollutant, global warming will only continue to get worse. One example can be found in life expectancy, which has already dropped to as low as 45 years in densely polluted areas due to lung, throat and thyroid cancers (Blacksmith Institute, 2011).

“Though living things emit carbon dioxide when they breathe, carbon dioxide is widely considered to be a pollutant when associated with cars, planes, power plants, and other human activities that involve the burning of fossil fuels such as gasoline and natural gas. In the past 150 years, such activities have pumped enough carbon dioxide into the atmosphere to raise its levels higher than they have been for hundreds of thousands of years.”

Air Pollution, National Geographic

Governments are hoping to implore people and companies to reduce their global impact by beginning to place higher taxes on gasoline and carbon dioxide emissions in an e�ort to cut back on the outpouring of greenhouse gases. While many individuals and companies have taken steps towards reducing their carbon footprint, a greater e�ort needs to manifest in order to prevent the devastating social and economical losses associated with global warming. Research shows that millions of premature deaths could be prevented through simple measures such as utilizing cars that emit less pollution (Vaughan, 2009). While removing sources of pollution is an excellent start towards eliminating this global threat, the dangers of pollution that have already been released into the atmosphere will continue to linger until the air is puri�ed. The threat of pollution could cease in our lifetime if the resources and commitment were readily present (Blacksmith Institute, 2011).

Cumulus OculiCurrent Global Status

WAGENINGEN_ NETHERLANDS _ fair smog city

Typ. Pollution Breakdown

Cumulus Oculi is an air puri�cation system that �lters and recycles polluted air. Self-assembling itself over a city, this �ltration system raises awareness of individuals’ role as not only a polluter but also a contributor to our threating air quality. Dense clusters of Oculi are seen over larger cities where the pollution is denser than normal and actively �lters the air. As dirty air is �ltered through the Cumulus Oculi, the Oculi illuminates, indicating that polluted air is being �ltered and recycled back into the city and encourages society to pollute less.

The �ashes of light serve as an indication of pollution density present in a city. Where there are more lights, there is a greater degree of pollution that is being �ltered back to clean air. While Cumulus Oculi has an immediate social impact as it brings awareness to every individual’s role as a polluter, it additionally produces global awareness. Air pollution data can be calculated, reviewed and compared among countries. Cumulus Oculi serves as a live-stream visual of the changes in atmospheric pollution, enticing individuals around the world to do their part in minimizing the production and emission of pollution.

According to the EPA, if people continue to emit greenhouse gases at the current rate, the world’s temperature could increase by 4 to 12°F by 2100. Furthermore, National Geographic states that ocean life is at higher risk as icebergs melt and coral reefs disappear if the world’s temperature increases by two degrees. If the increase reaches 3 degrees there would be heat wave with possible fatalities. Metropolitan areas could wash away at a rise in 4 degrees. At 5 degrees, civilizations would collapse, and even just 6 degrees in increase could result in mass extinction. Although we are on the track to these devastating spikes in temperatures, the EPA also suggests that preventative methods put into place could reduce the rise in temperatures by over 50%. Installing Cumulus Oculi over cities around the world is one proposal which looks to treat and prevent the treat of pollution at a global scale.

Solution

DUBAI_ UAE _ high smog city

0-50

301-500

201-300

151-200

101-150

51-100

Levels of health concern from good to hazardous.

Air Quality Index

0-50

151-200

101-150

51-100

Levels of concern after the installment of Cumulus Oculi.

Estimated Air Quality Index

CHICAGO, IL _ USA _ medium smog city

The highest levels of air pollution in the world are a result of the automobile pollution produced in Dubai.

The Netherlands have the highest number of livestock in all of Europe. As a result, their soil contains a high level of pollution caused by the surplus of manure.

A major manufacturing city, Chicago’s pollution greatly comes from the industrial waste. Additionally, waterborne wastes have been presented as a threat within Lake Michigan.

bonobos re.fine

abigail buchanan

designer

BONOBOS re.FINE placed third in Pave’s 2012 Student Design Competition in the Store Design Category. BONOBOS re.FINE becomes an installation that exhibits and communicates the uniqueness of the Bonobos line by recalling an industrial setting where artifacts are refined and produced. The fixtures within the space express the idea of refinement, as raw elements come together in one purified form. Industrial roller table components are used throughout the space to refer to the idea of refinement and to provide movement, continual progression, and dynamic user experience and adaptability.

perimeter shelving units

conveyor tables

conveyor hangers

module stacking units

bonobos graphic seal

axon

all elements combined

store front

rendering of spacerendering of back wall

3

These 5’ module conveyor sections are aligned together to form a moving linear progression that reinforces the concept of refinement. Furthermore, each module emulates a “refined wardrobe” as clothes and accessories are paired together to create an easy shopping experience for men who want a bold look, but are just unsure what colored shirt would pair well with those fuchsia pair of Chino’s.

PRODUCT CONVEYORS

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1

2

3

Line conveyors are used for hanging clothing and accessories.

Graphic seals on the back of the perimeter fixtures are implemented to further brand Bonobos’ signature men’s collection.

Roller conveyors contribute to the industrial feel while accentuating the motion and movement of the refining process.

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1

2 2

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Line conveyors are used for hanging clothing and accessories.

Graphic seals on the back of the perimeter fixtures are implemented to further brand Bonobos’ signature men’s collection.

Roller conveyors contribute to the industrial feel while accentuating the motion and movement of the refining process.

9

1

1

2 2

33

Line conveyors are used for hanging clothing and accessories.

Graphic seals on the back of the perimeter fixtures are implemented to further brand Bonobos’ signature men’s collection.

Roller conveyors contribute to the industrial feel while accentuating the motion and movement of the refining process.

9

1

2

Module stacking blocks are assembled from rustic wood planks and polished with a slick, clean resin top for product display. With a surface area of 2’ x 2’ these blocks can be repeated in a variety of arrangements and heights.

5

1

2

Module stacking blocks are assembled from rustic wood planks and polished with a slick, clean resin top for product display. With a surface area of 2’ x 2’ these blocks can be repeated in a variety of arrangements and heights.

5

1

2

Module stacking blocks are assembled from rustic wood planks and polished with a slick, clean resin top for product display. With a surface area of 2’ x 2’ these blocks can be repeated in a variety of arrangements and heights.

5

This modular back wall serves as the purchase transaction station and is where all the key elements in the space unite together as one. After trying merchandise on in the dressing rooms located directly behind the wall partition, customers can conclude their BONOBOS re.FINE experience by purchasing their selections at the counter. Lighting is incorporated within the structural framework of the wall which illuminates the opaque resin panels, and reveals to customers what’s “behind the scenes” of the BONOBOS re.FINE pop up store.

PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION

THE BRAINS

SEASONAL HIGHLIGHTS

PRODUCT CONVEYORS

PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION

11

Burning Man Team Bench

abigail buchanan, jillian northrup, jefferey mcgrew

designers

While interning at the design build firm, Because We Can, in Oakland, California, I was asked to create a flat packed bench prototype to be used at Burning Man by the Serpent Twins Crew. Inspired by the 1920s and Amelia Earhart, this wing backed bench was created from one piece of plywood flat packed and assembled with no additional pieces of hardware or glue.

initial slotting sketches

routing bits

initial wing sketches

cnc engraving

block model

backprototype

legs slotted into back

underneath bench seat

photo credit: jillian northrup

photo credit: jillian northrup

steps

grass

grass diagram

slide

osb flooringrendering in space

slide

steps

Larger-than-life

abigail buchanan, sharece ramos, dajana nedic, daniel salgado, weston willard, jeff linn, carlos smith, christine lumans, anna will, ashley dale, claudia aguilera, jonathon anderson

designers

Larger Than Life is a permanent exhibit within the Greensboro’s Children’s Museum. Larger Than Life offers visitors of the Greensboro Children’s Museum an interactive experience, as children play and learn to navigate through a larger-than-life landscape. Children follow their natural sense of curiosity to discover their individual pathways, venturing through sky-high blades of musical grass, scaling mounds of stepped terrain, and sliding through an exaggerated exhibition of our natural world.

process diagrams

[holism]

abigail buchanan

designer

[Holism] was presented and published at the UNL National Conference on Beginning Design Students. This project focuses on designing tectonic space while producing minimal waste. [Holism] is a study that realizes and exploits the idea that any surface can be divided by its simplest geometry, triangle. The triangles are joined to one another by a live hinge that allows the form to be compressed and expanded from a flat packed square into habitable space. Additionally, the pattern and live hinge allow for a modularity that can be added to, taken away from, or manipulated into other forms.

[ ]

rendering of full scale

packing diagram

physical model

elevations/sections

model unrolledpaper folding diagram

theta

abigail buchanan, sharece ramos, caitlyn whisenant, anuj patel, alexis garcia, blakeni walls, sangni qu, jonathon anderson

designer

Theta is a vital tool for long-term health and hospital stays; through the use of augmented reality and projection technology, Theta aids your mind to reach a state of relaxation benefitting people of any age. With fully customizable environments, patients can choose any location and match any soundscape to them. It is even possible to upload places visited in the past for the ones who love to reminisce. Three individual sensors scan the room, one along each of the axes (x, y, and z) forming a three-dimensional model of the space that is stored within the Theta system and used to create the boundaries for the augmented projections. Users control the projections with an application that was developed for smart devices.

laser scan on x, y and z axis

room scan along 3 axis’

under the sea

augmented projection

get your head in the cloudsemerged within the forest

theta app

wall panels and sensors

agnes series 1

abigail buchanan

designer

Agnes Series 1 is a chair that celebrates the idea of pairs coming together. This side chair provides the consumer with a hassle free assembly experience as it ships in pieces that can be assembled with no additional tools. The molded plywood frame slots together by the use of French cleats forming the front two legs of the chair. A cloth seat and back structured around aluminum poles are then slotted into tracks within the molded plywood and secured with a pin.

side view

assembly diagram

exploded diagram

front view

renderingsprocess drawings

24 1/2”

28 3

/8”

14 7

/8”

31 7/8”24 1/2”

28 3

/8”

14 7

/8”

31 7/8”24 1/2”

28 3

/8”

14 7

/8”

31 7/8”

Deciduous

abigail buchanan

designers

Inspired by regional topography and the changes in elevation, I chose to explore how a material could be striped away at different levels to reveal and accentuate its natural form. This coffee table utilizes one piece of 4’x8’ baltic birch plywood that is used for all parts of the table. In different parts of the table, I focused on revealing and highlighting the different plys of the baltic birch.

legs

hexagon table top

frame

process frames

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