Geodesic Temple

A sculpture by Disorient at Burning Man 2011.

THE CONTENT OF THIS PAGE IS FOR GEODESIC TEMPLE COLLABORATORS ONLY. IT IS NOT READY TO BE RELEASED PUBLICLY.

ABSTRACT

Geodesic Temple is a 64 foot tall structure--composed of human sized, illuminated octahedrons--that rises above the playa and provides a beacon for community. From a distance the Temple seems complex, but the viewer encounters a fundamental shift upon discovering the simplicity of the components. This challenge to expectation inspires, opens the mind, embodies the Burning Man spirit and acts as a Rite of Passage.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Geodesic Temple is a critical addition to the landscape of Burning Man. Disorient intends to create an opportunity for the community to come together and contribute to the assembly of the final piece.

Geodesic Temple is composed of wooden 2x4 struts assembled into octahedrons. This shape is used as building blocks to create a self-supporting structure; therefore, the resulting architecture does not have a frame onto which other elements such as facades are added. All octahedrons are identical in size and shape and independently illuminated. The relatively simple assembly does not require specialized labor for the most part and the components will arrive precut.

Every stage of this project--including this proposal--brings minds and bodies together. The experience Disorient has gathered assembling its own geodesic domes, its long history of large-scale inflatable structures puts Disorient, in its 11th year of building a community, in an expert position, understanding that precision is crucial at every stage of the building process.

Geodesic Temple serves as a beacon and orient alongside the Burning Man. It rises and seemingly floats above the playa surface, illuminated at night and culminates on the final day as the Geodesic Temple burns down.

Geodesic Temple can withstand the harsh environment. It will be painted for protection against the elements and will be able to be “skinned” completely or individually. Plywood faces would provide shade and help increase flammability, but the final design will focus on safety, taking into calculation elements such as wind and rain. The structure will not be able to be climbed on, partially on account of the complexity of the final design, but also because of the expected size.

Geodesic Temple is designed to be environmentally friendly. The octahedron is an efficient shape that minimizes the amount of materials used in the project. The inherent strength of triangles will take less material to build than using conventional orthogonal building blocks. In addition, the carbon footprint will be minimized as well since the octahedrons will be assembled on site.

Geodesic Temple is an expression of the Disorient philosophy that individual cells working together create the ever-changing landscape of life. Disorient is based on a biological model. It is an art-centered, inspirational and a nourishing collective that feeds on positive energy. It is open source and creates systems that can be taken apart by others and from which new systems can be developed.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Geodesic Temple (GeoTem06) is a meta-modular, self-supporting, burnable structure made of octahedrons, a regular polyhedron with 8 identical equilateral triangular faces which is also a geodesic volume and a platonic solid. The octahedron is used as building block to create a self-supporting structure meaning that the resulting architecture does not have a frame onto which other elements such as facades are added. In that sense, it is about transparence and truth. All octahedrons have similar sizes and are made of 2x4 struts. The choice of using the octahedron as the basic module of Geodesic Temple was dictated by the physical qualities of the octahedron.

Modular

Modularity is one of the core principles of Disorient as expressed in the Disorient Model ( http://wiki.disorient.info/index.php?title=Disorient_Model ). The radically modular Geodesic Temple is no exception. Geodesic Temple is a meta-modular (modules made of modules) structure based on a single module, a octahedron. It is exclusively composed of 144 octahedrons, all similar. Each octahedron is made of 24 identical 2x4 wood struts.

Economy

Triangles are stronger than squares as that they are inherently triangulated. Geodesic Temple is economical because of the inherent strength of triangles, it takes less material to build a modular structure using octahedrons than it would using classic orthogonal building blocks. Octahedrons will be assembled on site to reduce the carbon footprint of the project.

Connectors

A cell of architects and engineers are researching and designing the best solution for the connector that links 2x4 struts together into octahedrons. Our current solution if to do compound angles cut on each 2x4 reinforced with 24" galvanized steel ties. Advantages of this solution is strength and relatively little metal but it is very time consuming.

Skin

Sides of octahedrons can be partially or completely skinned individually. Skinning the structure with plywood or fabric would provide additional shade and help with the burn but will have to be taken into account when calculating the wind resistance.

Reuse (whatever is not burned)

As an art collective, Disorient has created artworks recycling material from previous installations for the past 11 years and developed a decentralized approach supported by a vast vocabulary of "modules" ( http://wiki.disorient.info/index.php?title=Disorient_Model#Disorient_Module ). The octahedrons used for Geodesic Temple will become part of Disorient's visual vocabulary and will be reused and reconfigured for future installations either as a version of Geodesic Temple or as other structures. You can see examples of several structure configurations based on the same octahedron at http://geodesictemple.com . In addition to the octahedrons, any remaining tool, materials, and supplies after disassembly will be stored and reused by the art collective for future projects. We plan to obtain, to the fullest extent possible, supplies from Build It Green! NYC (BIG!NYC), Materials for the Arts and other sources of salvaged and surplus building materials. We have dedicated a team to locate recycled materials.

Geodesic Temple should not be climbed on. It provides shade and possibly beats to the community.

FABRICATION

From the experience we have gained assembling our own geodesic domes and our expertise with large-scale inflatable structures we understand that precision is crucial at every stage of the building process when putting together large geodesic structures as any mistake will amplify down the line if not corrected immediately.

Following this example of wood compound angle connection both ends of each 2x4 strut are cut at an angle so they fit tightly together when the octahedron is assembled. Having the 2x4 struts cut before they are delivered to the Playa (need quotes from wood providers) would help us reach a satisfying level of accuracy and reduce on-Playa production time.

On Playa we will have cells (cells are teams in Disorient jargon http://wiki.disorient.info/index.php?title=Disorient_Model ) dedicated to specific parts of the assembly process. The highly repetitive aspect of this construction permits members of each cell to become experts at the specific tasks that they perform which translates into a more accurate fabrication and a safer structure.

The different steps of on-Playa assembly are performed in parallel by several cells.
- Octahedron Assembly Cell creates octahedrons by connecting 2x4s together. Connect the ends of the struts that are precut at an angle to fit tightly together. Repeat the process until the octahedron is complete. A jig is used for this step to assure that all octahedrons are created equal. Galvanized strapping is used for reinforcement where needed. Some members of this cell are responsible for quality control. Octahedrons that will not comply to the design will either be corrected or, if beyond correction, used in related projects which require a lower level of accuracy such as Disorient camp frontage or Disorient mutant vehicle transformation.
- Octahedron Connecting Cell creates "C" modules by connecting octahedrons together on the ground. Two types of C modules are created: "regular" C uses 3 octahedrons, "long" C uses 5 octahedrons. Long C modules are used only at the base of the structure. The 16 octahedrons on which the structure rests are part of 8 long C modules. Both types of C modules can be assembled on their flat side on the ground by a crew of 6-8 using 6' ladders.
- GeoTem Assembly Cell. Specializes in connecting C modules together. After creating 4 GeoTem04 by connecting two long C modules together with one C module this cell will connect the top octahedrons of the existing structure together with C modules. This task will be repeated many times until the entire structure is complete.

Geodesic Temple is one of the most ambitious projects attempted by Disorient in its 11 years of existence, yet we have never been in a better position to successfully transform this idea into reality. One of the strengths of Disorient is its community and the tight connections that bind its members. Its base of veteran burners has welcomed newcomers for the past decade, many of which are now part of the core group of DOers (Disorienters). Disorient is always open and welcoming to newbies. 230 DOers camped at Disorient in 2010 and about 1,500 more since its inception. Geodesic Temple is a new direction for Disorient. We are confident that we can build this piece thanks to our dedicated workforce of literally 100s of on-Playa DOers.

LIGHTING

Leo Villareal, the founder of Disorient, designs the lighting solution for Geodesic Temple and supervises its implementation.

The current solution uses sequenced LED fixtures (ColorBlast type) installed inside and outside the structure. Color: Pornj (pink and orange), Disorient's color.

Other options being considered (solutions 1, 2 and 3 are included in the budget):
1. Elements of New Leo Sign (2010) mounted on the struts. Color: Orange.
2. Sequenced LED modules mounted on each outside octahedron connector.
3. Strobe light inside each octahedron.
4. The Temple transforms as you view it from different angles. It transforms and disorients the eye to warp into what shape best suites the viewers perspective. What if we were to be able to control and manipulate that perspective. What if we are at times able to create different forced perspectives. One moment it's a pyramid, the next it's a series of stacked octahedron's, look again and it's a pair of giant circles.

While the color blasts and strobe lights are quite punchy and give us a huge big look they are a wash. For big effect and punch they are absolutely needed however to allow for singling out the shapes and controlling them we need something with more finesse: RGB LED tape. If we pick key elements of the structure and outline them with the LED tape we will be able to change and merge the colors of various connecting points to create the illusion of different geometric shapes (and change their color as we see fit).

It's a big task and involves a lot of control but we already have most of that as well as a very good source for the LED tape in camp. The 12v RGB LED tape can be used in conjunction with the controllers we used on the pixel wall at the Art Car Wash. Each board is 32 channels of single color or... 10 seperate controls for RGB (with a couple leftover channels). By stringing them all together using DMX we will be able to map the different segments to the console. Form the console we can pull up what we need/want when we need/want it. In this manner we will be able to pick out individual elements and adjust their color as we see fit. Another option is single color tape. Pink is easy to find but orange may be a bit of a problem. This would be less colorful would significantly reduce the number of control channels needed.

INTERACTIVITY

Some octahedrons are left free-standing and can be rolled around by participants. There is no climbing on the main structure.

BURN

We understand that the 2x4 struts as shown on GeoTem06 are too far apart for the fire to start and propagate well and we can think of two solutions to remedy this problem.
1. Add combustible material such as hemp bags 3/4 filled with hay inside the octahedrons located in the lower part of the structure (show on sketch combustible material placement throughout the structure).
2. Reduce the length of the basic 2x4 strut from 8 feet to 6 or 4 feet. The design concept would remain the same but the resulting structure would have more octahedrons, more levels and more wood in general to reach the same dimensions (make sketch showing structure made with octahedrons using 4' and 6' 2x4s).
We welcome advice from Burning Man experts.

LNT

The LNT plan is a critical component of any playa-bound project. Ocean, who participates in Disorient as well as DPW, has participated in DPW Playa Restoration since 2007 and will contribute to the management of the Geodesic Temple LNT plan from setup to burndown. In 2009 and 2010, disorient theme camp received a Green rating on the moop map, supported by the efforts of disengage lead FriarTuck, Tejawe, Ocean, and others. We have succeeded in leaving no trace for a camp of 230 and will do so for the Geodesic Temple construction and camp as well.

1) Setup:

The setup phase is the most high risk phase for moop. Each aspect of the setup phase is addressed below.

Arrival/Camping: Pre-event, many artists camp at the site of their sculptures to facilitate work in a timely fashion leading up to the event. While this is not always the case, we consider this a possibility and planning assumption. This requires camp infrastructure, which includes: workshop, small kitchen, shade, and camping area.

Workshop: The playa in the workshop area will be covered in drop-cloths/tarps to prevent as much as possible the dropping of metals (screws) and wood chips.

Kitchen: The staff kitchen will be supported under a carport and will also include drop cloths/tarps to prevent kitchen moop. While the early arrival crew may also have the support of an RV with ammenities and generator, the planning assumption is that a staff kitchen will exist and will also require an evap pond/holding tank, which will be evaped or pumped via a contractual arrangement.

Shade: A central shade will be constructed during the construction phase, over the workshop and in the communal area. The common shade areas will have drop-cloths or carpets to prevent moop from reaching the playa.

2) Event:

During the event, we expect that many will visit the Geodesic Temple and that any events occuring at the Geodesic Temple may result in moop by partYcipants. The Geodesic Temple will have daily moop sweeps, spiraling out from the temple in a combined line sweep/free range technique. The goal is to moop anything left behind between sundown to sunset. The Geodesic Temple Moop crew consists of at minimum 13 participants per shift. The participatory and interactive aspect of this activity is that visitors to the Geodesic Temple during this time will be encourage to participate in the daily Scavenger Hunt for quality and other moop.

3) Post-burn:

During the night of the Geodesic Temple burn, we expect that the burn participants may leave behind moop of all kinds. In order to assure that the perimeter surrounding the burn site is mooped, double the weekly number of moopers (26) will be coordinated to line sweep and free range fashion.

ROLES (preliminary list)

Director: The Eye of Disorient
Light art: Leo Villareal
Design: Clarice Bodganov
Producers: Ky, Dimitri, Tejawe
Architects: Devyn Osborne, Aura
Structural: Lowroad, Denis
Math: Seven
IT: Dimitri
Build Co-Leads: Victoria Wagner, Amber Alliger
Octahedron Assembly Lead: Jay Mingle
Octahedron Assembly Cell 1: 4 people (Archer)
Octahedron Assembly Cell 2: 4 people (Simas)
Octahedron Assembly Cell 3: 4 people
Octahedron Connection Lead: Joe Che
Octahedron Connection Cell 1: 4 people
Octahedron Connection Cell 2: 4 people
Octahedron Connection Cell 3: 4 people
GeoTem Assembly Lead: Matt Patane
GeoTem Assembly Cell: 4 people
Light Cell Co-Leads: Mads, Jason Blip
Light Cell: 10 people
Electrical: Muvment
Shop Master: Britelite
Kitchen Cell: 10 people
Burn Cell: 10 people (need help with this as we've never burned a piece this size)
PR: TBA
Photo/video/blog documentation: 4 people (Jan, Magellan, ...)
Time Lapse photography: Ori Leibovitz
LNT Lead: Ocean
LNT Cell: 40 people

Contact the(dot)eye(at)dizorient(dot)com if you wish to be added to this list.

TIMELINE

February
Stress tests
Compound angles tests in Brooklyn
Fri 18: Wood delivery at Dock.
Sat 19: Test compound angles.
Sun 20: Test compound angles.
Octahedron connection tests in Brooklyn
Sat 26: Test connections.
Sun 27: Test connections.

March
Location: NYC
Build physical models
Octahedron assembly tests
Octahedron assembly tests

June
Location: NYC
GeoTem04 fabrication
Wed 1: order material for GeoTem04
Sat 4: 2x4s delivered and cut at Dock.
Sun 5: 2x4s cut at Dock.
Mon 6: Deliver 2x4s and tools to Governors Island.
Tue 7: Start assembly of octahedrons.
Wed 8: Assemble all C modules.
Thu 9: Assemble GeoTem04.

July
Order material for GeoTem06

August
Location: BRC, NV
GeoTem06 fabrication
Wed 10: Wood delivered on Playa; octahedron assembly jig fabricated.
Thu 11: Start assembly of octahedrons.
Fri 12: Start assembly of C modules.
Sat 13: Start assembly of Geotem.
Wed 16: Complete assembly of 4 GeoTem04.
Sat 19: Complete assembly of level 4 of GeoTem06.
Mon 22: Complete assembly of octahedrons.
Tue 23: Complete assembly of C modules.
Wed 24: Complete assembly of GeoTem06.
Thu 25: Start lights installation.
Sat 27: Complete lights installation.

September
Thu 1: Remove lights and start prepping for burn.
Fri 2: Burn.

BUDGET

Design and Preliminary Studies

3D Visualization: provided by Disorient
Stress tests
- Virtual:
- Physical:

Octahedron Test, NYC

- 60 2x4 struts @ $3: $180
- Dock delivery:
- Work space rent *15 days @$30: $450

GeoTem04a Test, NYC

See City of Dreams Pavilion proposal

GeoTem06, Burning Man 2011

Wood
- 3000 2x4 struts @ $2: $6,000
- Cut both ends of 3000 2x4 struts according to specs @ $3: $9,000
- 3/4" CDX plywood * 50 @ $40: $2,000
- Playa delivery: $600
Hardware
- Screws, nails, saw blades: $1,250
- Simpson Strong Tie LSTA24 * 1800 @ $1.10: $1,980
Lighting
- 50 Color Blast 12s (generics with built in power & DMX): $2500 - 16 AF1000 Dataflash strobes: $1000 - Cabling (DMX, Edison 12/3, & Socapex): $500 - 70 Chroma Q Color Block DM4: $2000 Tools
- Nail guns and compressors *3 @$600: $1,800 - Ryoby screw guns + battery * 10 @ $60 + charger"8" *2 @ $80: $720
- Leveling equipment:
- 25KW generator rental @ $3,500 shared with Disorient camp 50/50: $1,750
- Fuel for generator: $700
Shipping
- NYC-BRC: $600
Cranes: provided by BM's heavy machinery dept.
Kitchen (not including food): $1000
Burn
- Decomposed Granite
LNT

Preliminary Sketches

GeoTem07

Height: 61' Length: 116' Width: 82'. 24 struts x ?? octahedrons = ?? 2x4x8' struts.

GeoTem06 (Burning Man)

Iteration of GeoTem04 and GeoTem05


Height: 64' Length: 82' Width: 82'. 24 struts x 144 octahedrons = 2736 2x4x8' struts.

GeoTem05

Iteration of GeoTem04

Height: 52' Length: 57' Width: 57'. 24 struts x 55 octahedrons = 1320 2x4x8' struts.

GeoTem04a (City of Dreams Pavilion)

Height: 32' Length: 33' Width: 33'. 24 struts per octahedrons x 21 octahedrons = 480 2x4x8' struts.

GeoTem04 (Figment Sculpture Garden)

Height: 32' Length: 33' Width: 33'. 24 struts per octahedrons x 13 octahedrons = 312 2x4x8' struts.

GeoTem03

Height: 36 feet. 24 struts x 57 octahedrons = 1368 2x4x8' struts.

GeoTem 01, 02

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Height: 91 feet. All icosahedrons are the same size.

3D files

GeoTem03, 04, 05, 06: Media:GeoTemOcta01.skp‎
GeoTem01, 02: Media:GeoTemIco.skp‎

Notes

- Interactivity: some elements are left free-standing on the ground so they can be moved/rolled by anyone to reconfigure the piece.
- Skin: sides can be (partially) skinned individually. Skinning the structure would help with shade, burn and lighting but would create more resistance to wind which is a problem on the playa. Maybe only lower parts of the structure are skinned?
- Camp frontage and Dex transformation uses same polyhedron as Geodesic Temple.

References:
From Victoria's inspirations and JoeChe on FB