03 TECHNO-PHYSICALITY
OPTION STUDIO fall ‘23

Diagrammatic animation of public spheres and how they morph


Team:

Autumn Hanks  (Socio-Political Scale)

Jordan Ezzell (Labor x Corporate Scale)

Shakori Carpenter  (Commodified Human Body Scale)

Professor:

Catty Dan Zhang A studio that initially centered on the mechanics of mass slaughterhouses and their technological laborers went off the rails, forming the Cult of the Cow. Upon starting, each group member began by questioning the condition of the commodified human body and its relevancy as a mechanism of labor. This relationship was examined over three specific scales: the human body, the dynamics of the laborer and corporate bodies, and the socio-political implications of human labor vs. mechanized automation. Diagrams and Houdini animations were used to illustrate abstract ways of understanding how all of these concepts function individually and collectively, ultimately dissecting today’s labor conditions.

The political and social implications behind factories diagram - Autumn
Labor scale diagram - Jordan
Body to labor to profit diagram
Human and the Machine (skewed perspectives) diagram - Autumn
Human-Machine interactive grid animation - Jordan
Cloud body animation

After establishing these fundamental qualities, the project was sited. Helms Meat Processing, LLC, a custom slaughterhouse located in Maynardville, TN, was selected as the location in which the architectural intervention was to take place. Rumors of prejudice plagued the studio as each team determined how they would go about scoping it out. Our team, composed of minorities, felt apprehensive when traveling to the location due to these allegations. Once we completed the visit, we were able to collect factual information about the site as well as conceived notions regarding the community’s perception of comfort. The mending of the intimacy involved in custom slaughtering combined with the private ideologies of a small conservative neighborhood gave way to the idea of producing a speculative work of architecture whose facilities harm its inhabitants yet are crucial to the upholding of community.


Site plan - Jordan
Individual + surroundings diagram
Site demographics - Autumn


Preliminary sketches of the fabric, rod and human attachment mechanisms
Considering many concepts discussed at the start of the project were physically intangible, we felt it was necessary to ground the work in reality without compromising the three scales. This resulted in a 60'-rod system composed of a grid. Connected to each rod was a mass of fabric sheath. Each rod contained a set of double pulley systems connecting a rope to each individual on the site. This meant that the individuals, when in motion (i.e., picking up), would manipulate the kinetic flux of tension, causing an addition or reduction of the draped fabric in various locations. The ends of the draped fabric were able to be maneuvered by the elements due to them being left untethered.
Site Section A - Jordan
Site Section B - Jordan

Snippets of “inside vs. outside” character studies - Autumn

Model of node with fabric
Model of node without fabric
Site topography model
Close up of cow on site topography model
Close up of site topography model



While establishing the facilities’ mechanics, the group produced a general narrative: The site is inhabited by cow worshippers. Everyone who was there was either born into the society or came by choice, setting aside an aspect of their hubris for the greatness of their God, The Cow. Humans resided on metal platforms 15’ above the ground, while cattle had freedom below. Suits had to be worn for two reasons: 1) establishing a hierarchy of labor and 2) adding protection from the elements and methane fumes produced by the cattle. Those outside the compound thought it was odd but weren’t bothered as the cult supplied many cow products to the community. To them, the cow was meant to be consumed, while the cult saw the Cow as sacred.

Occupational suit sketches
Physical rendition of “standard suit”

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