Hitting the heights of education
I love this story http://bit.ly/GOGnl1 about an architecture student who put his design to the most extreme test possible. Andrew McCarthy was taking a master thesis on architecture in extreme climates (love this subject, I wrote a book about it) and as part of his work designed a tent. He didn’t just design it, he also made it (even though) he had never sewed before). And he didn’t just make it, he took it to the top of Aconcagua in the Andes, the highest mountain in the western hemisphere.
In a place notorious for its high winds, he suffered winds that were worse than the average – and his tent survived.
There is a great tradition of architects developing temporary shelters.Most famously, Charlotte Perriand, who worked with le Corbusier, developed a portable hut that she and several friends carried up a mountain. McCarthy may have a great future ahead of him.
It is a terrific story. Here’s another version: http://www.ns.umich.edu/new/releases/20290-dust-tornadoes-icy-mountain-winds-cant-stop-u-m-student-and-his-tent
The student also has a cool blog (abletoinhabit.com) that shows him wind testing the tent.
Hi Ruth – Your book Extreme Architecture has been an inspiration to my work and is currently sitting on my studio desk. At the moment I am completing my thesis, refining the drawings, and preparing a book that will document the process of the project.
If you have a moment it would be fantastic to talk with you about the work and hear some of your thoughts.
-Andrew McCarthy
macand@umich.edu