Earth Profiles
Research Assistant: Michael Mandac
Earth is a heterogeneous material system composed of gravel, sand, silt and clay in differing combinations. While ramming earth into formwork establishes a predictable form to this heterogeneous material system, even the cleanest formwork yields a wall surface marked with texture, inconsistent horizon lines, corners prone to damage. This is particularly the case with the earth mix does not include cement for stabilisation.
This project explores constructional precision when raw (cement-free) earth mass meets digitally-fabricated frame. Rammed earth models remnants constructed during the Haystack Residency were 3d scanned and converted into a digital mesh, registering all of the earthen craggy idiosyncracies. A series of frames derived from transverse and longitudinal section cuts taken regularly along the length of the remnants were then offset and lasercut. Slotted together, the frame topography conforms to the earth masses while also hinting at material possibilities of earth/frame constructional assemblies.
The geometries of the frames drew from collage painting studies; black figural gestures act as geometric counterpoints to the gridded map underlays.