Project Information
Name of the project: Bessie: Animal as a building block
Architects: The Bittertang Farm
Year (project): 2014
Physical Model: 2018
Exhibition: Harvard GSD Inscriptions: Architecture Before Speech 2018
In contrast to the constant search and creation of the perfect fit in regards to form and material, Bessie, starts with a highly articulated and materially rich artifact and restructures it to create a new form of architecture that requires technology and novel fabrication techniques to reorganize her. Each cow is an iteration of the next, one slightly different than the next, this agglomeration of similar yet distinct building blocks takes advantage of all parts of the cow, from hoof to ear to create a new primitive hut. Texas is a huge cattle state so we will utilize 12 cows as well as 8 goats. These are our primitives. After slaughter all parts will be rescued. The skins stretched, tanned and inflated. Organs drained, cured and filled with various fillings including air, water, sand, concrete. The bones will provide structure where needed through the modification of the bones into building components using digital programs and fabrication techniques.
The bones of a cow typically carry 1000lbs. Their lightness and strength would make them an ideal architectural component, however the problem is that bones are short and within an animal rely on various liquid’s, ligaments and sinew to connect together multiple bones. As substitution for those connective components we are proposing the use of digital methods to scan the bones, cut them and create new joints between. Not unlike how doctors repair bones or some are even 3d printing and growing new bones. These techniques will be brought into create long columns capable of supporting the weight of the pavilion.
The hides will be cured and their natural shape determines the final form of each inflatable. Two hides will be sewn together the interior coated with a plastic coating to insure air-tightness. Each inflatable will then be inflated to create giant engorged cows. Some will be single inflatables strapped to their neighbors while others will end up being sewn together creating stronger structural elements.
The cow’s udder is one of the cow’s greatest features, it provides milk to nourish its offspring as well as to quench human’s thirst for dairy. The enormously large udder that has been breed by humans to turn cows into super producers can be used in the project as ornamentation or as the source of nourishing liquids for those visiting the installation. Other organs such as stomach and intestines can be inflated and/or stuffed with materials to become ornaments or pillows. Some can even become bagpipes. These given features that come from the cow will be utilized to enhance the project. All parts of the cow will be used. At the opening a copious amount of meat will be grilled for the guests and beef jerky will be given out as pavilion take aways.
