Andrew Frankum
Unitec
This week SAANZ talks to Andrew Frankum - insane model making junkie - from UNITEC about the nuances (good and bad) faced thus far in his undertaking of a Masters thesis in Architecture. We talk to him about what the real ‘essence’ of his explorations are about and what he hopes to take away from this year now that most of it is gone!
SAANZ: What is your Thesis about?
ANDREW: My thesis is about investigating the potential of digital tools in directing how we might design for a sensitive and natural environment - the translation of cyber into physical - and how this relationship might be exploited so as to leave the smallest footprint on our lands.
The way we currently build as an industry prioritizes the built over the land upon which the built sits. We wipe whole slopes clean to make way for flat concrete slabs and footings. I’m calling for a more awareness and more consideration of that ground. Architecture must respond to the ecosystems and environments that support it a lot more intimately, respectfully, and sensitively.
Photo: Digitally mapping and charting existing rock formations
SAANZ : What made you pursue this topic?
ANDREW: The polar nature of designing purely on the computer versus designing purely with my hand and eye fascinates me! Although the project I am undertaking right now is along the same train of thought, the project I initially wanted to do was just mess around with various hand tools and digital tools and see what they did. Turns out you have to do more than just mess around to become an architect.
I suppose a huge part of your thesis is about finding how you can actually start to apply your interests practically in the field and make something out of it. Took me a while.
SAANZ: What sort of tools are you exploring?
ANDREW: CNC routers, Drones, photogrammetry to generate 3D models and gather tonnes of data for a given site (Hole in the Rock in this case). Sounds expensive, I know, but the project requires engagement and physical use. My aim at the end of the day is to learn and explore them.
What I think is really cool though is that these digital tools are not as automated as one might think them to be. In reality, there is a lot of time spent understanding how they work, testing, failing, testing again – basically learning all the nuances of these specialized gadgets. Once you start translating what you have put into the computer into physical models, an in-exhaustive process of becoming aware of how each variable changed effects the end product starts..alongside millions of hand touch ups!
Photo: Drone survey excursion ( ft. good weather )
SAANZ: That sounds insane…What has been your approach to maintaining sanity?
ANDREW: Chocolate! And keeping company. I try to connect with as many people I can within the industry who can teach me anything about my project - drone surveyors, trusts, engineers, geologists are all part of that list as their insight is invaluable. It helps me get away from my own little bubble and my own way of thinking in order to try alternative methods of engagement and learning. I am trying to treat this project as an opportunity to learn as opposed to pressure to design. But the chocolate works better.
SAANZ: Last question, how do you feel about having to pursue ONE topic for the whole year?
ANDREW: **Sighs heavily** Sometimes the progress is really slow. I swear I’ve made a whole lot of to-do lists that I haven’t really done. But I truly think doing a thesis is a great opportunity to get out and really push your limits. It’s a whole year with no obligations to clients or tutors, an opportunity to work on whatever you want and work on it intensively! It’s great when you think about it in theory… but there is undoubtedly a lot of paranoia and agitation that comes with undertaking a thesis about the validity of your work. You learn a lot despite it – just have to do those to-do lists.
SAANZ: Have you started designing?
ANDREW: Maybe.. Maybe not.
