The Mechanical Garden

A Design Proposed by Simon Kim and Mariana Ibañez of the Ibañez Kim Studio

Presentation by Clarisa Gonzalez, Erisa Gjinaj, Noshin Haque, and Dashiell Lumas

Background of DesignersMariana Ibañez Argentinean architect and designer Associate Professor of Architecture

at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Buenos Aires

Master of Architecture from the Architectural Association in London

Work focused on responsive environments

Led the design for the London Aquatic Centre for 2012 Olympic Games

Simon Kim, AIA Registered Architect Assistant Professor at the

University of Pennsylvania’s School of Design

Graduated from the Design Research Laboratory at the Architectural Association

Researches architecture with electronics, environments, and urban space

Works with cybernetics and machines

Director of Immersive Kinematics Research Group

The Project Proposal Ibañez and Kim sought to transform

the MoMA Ps1 courtyard into a setting for social activities, by building structures that are based on the geometry of the original courtyard walls.

The “Mechanical Garden” utilizes unique geometric designs to allow visitors to relax in a well-shaded environment that will allow them to stop and enjoy their surroundings.

“From the entrance to the courtyard, visitors can choose from a forking path and find their moments of refreshment, play, and pause.”

The Components of the Mechanical Garden

The Mechanical Garden stays true to its name: it is sectioned off into various man-made rooms including a café/bar, stage, play area, dance floor, “wet area”, and lobby, that still manage to surprise and fascinate visitors like a garden full of a variety of plants would.

A Project That is Sure to Capture Interest

With Kim and Ibañez’s creation, the PS1 courtyard can be used for a variety of activities and is not restricted to a few uses.

Normally, the sharp corners that recur in the design of the courtyard may seem unsettling but Ibañez and Kim have arranged the shapes to allow for a relaxing environment which encourages visitors to just sit down and enjoy the shade.

Kim and Ibañez have filled up the whole space of the PS1 courtyard with their design, effectively using all the space provided.

The construction of the Mechanical Garden is feasible, in that it assembles a series of characters into shaded archways and pathways. Its structure allows for relaxation by reinforcing the pre-existing layout of the courtyard, and contouring to the geometry of the walls. This is made possible by the use of similar elements to construct each Character; they differ in traits and orientation, creating a pleasing environment.

Is construction of the Mechanical Garden feasible?

Social, Environmental, and Cultural Issues

The Ibañez Kim Studio addresses social, environmental, and cultural

issues through the expression “refreshment, play, and pause.” By creating an internal structure, its function serves to provide a social atmosphere. Visitors may choose

from a forking pathway at the entrance, to their area of pleasure. The construction becomes a place of

both community and comfort, reaffirming societies need to

interact. Hence, its purpose is to provide “new narrative, social

engagement, and active environments” through the use of a sustainable mechanical garden.

Success of the Project & Fulfillment of YAP Term Proposal

The YAP Term Proposal is as follows: to provide an innovative, creative design for a temporary installation that provides shade, seating, and water.

The Mechanical Garden, upon observation, seems to fall well within the guidelines required of it. There is a moderate amount of seating, capable of attending to many weary feet. The structure itself is angled in a way that provides plenty of shade, and the benches are strategically positioned to benefit those who sit with it. As for water, there is a special “wet area” for those visitors that just wish to play around in water, especially on hot days.

Future Designs

The Ibañez Kim Studio is working together with Carbon Dance Theatre for a project called Science per Forms. We can only hope to guess that the Dance Theatre will dance to the theme of science.

Simon Kim is part of the Immersive Kinematics Group at PennDesign and he believes that “architecture is design untethered to any kind of physical restrictions” and thus is working with his group on a building that could “pulse or move.”

Sources

http://www.suckerpunchdaily.com/2012/03/02/interview-with-simon-kim/

http://momaps1.org/yap/ http://www.archdaily.com/211401/2012

-moma-ps1-yap-runner-up-the-mechanical-garden-ibanez-kim-studio/

http://www.ikstudio.com/ps1