Updated design with bamboo, and pass the typhoon

After testing the structure, we realised that it was too flexible in comparison to the "cabin" that is made of steel and alumnium. We cannot have a structure that is rigid on top of a flexible structure - I mean it's possible, but the point where they connect is likely to break eventually. Especially in warm weather.

So we had to choose to go either totally rigid and heavy or remain flexible and light.

Initially, we design it for rigid and heavy, with the impression that would be the Maritime Department's preference.

The 3 drawings below represent that direction:

  1. What have planned originally
  2. The platform, re-inforced with steel "crown" (red) a lot of steel tubes and legs welded to the columns (orange)
  3. The triangulation of all the columns with steel flats (purple)
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But after we presented this updated above design with 3 types of steel profiles, abundant triangulation, the Authorized Surveyor recommended that we do not go the "hard route" - but rather, go the "flexible route" - and use bamboo - which was similar to our original design...

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The bamboo structure is quite simple and I will make a very detailed design of it soon. Either way, I can see there is a lot of work to do with these design changes:

  1. Preparing for towing in Sai Kung on the platform
  2. Prefabricating some parts (below deck triangle)
  3. Wall "Skin" now that we are using the polycarbonate, not for the walls, but for the roof
  4. Planning for the logistics

The best aspect of it, is that thanks to the contacts of the Hong Kong Art Centre and the Authorized surveyor, it's looking like we are going to be able to secure a small tow boat with a crane and a bamboo contractor team, giving more certainty to the project.

Now, for the uncertainty: the weather! it's typhoon season. We work at sea... So we need to let that next typhoon to be tugged to the exhibition site. From the current forecast, it's looking like Sep 10 and 11 could be rough with winds blowing at 85 km/h - that's a promise of rough seas.

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It had us re-think our schedule completely as well.

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DayDateNameDescription

Tue

September 7, 2021
Preparing for craning back to land

All the equipment we don't use will be craned back to the land. We need to prepare for lifting.

Wed

September 8, 2021
Moving back to land. Moving the unused materials back to Tsuen Wan. Cleaning the racks. 11:00 is t

Lifting equipment, at high tide. Driving back to Tsuen Wan. organizing the materials in the racks in Tsuen Wan

Thu

September 9, 2021
Compression belts, bollards on deck, towing rope,

Preparing the platform for towing

Fri

September 10, 2021
Prefabrication of construction modules. Roof skirt. Lower deck skirt. Triangles.

Typhoon 2 - likely. Lighting, electronics

Sat

September 11, 2021
Prefabrication of construction modules. Triangles

Typhoon 3 - likely. Lighting, electronics

Sun

September 12, 2021
Prefabrication of construction modules. Lighting and biology equipments

Typhoon 2 - likely. Biology equipment production

Mon

September 13, 2021
Towing from Sai Kung to North Point, installing sinkers

Probably safer to tow that day

Tue

September 14, 2021
Bamboo works day 1

Vertical Columns, Diagonal triangulation. Repairs of towing.

Wed

September 15, 2021

Thu

September 16, 2021
Bamboo works day 2

Bamboo roof structure

Fri

September 17, 2021
Roofing

Polycarbonate roof

Sat

September 18, 2021
Walls

Roof edge with corrugated steel sheets. Below deck edge with corrugated steel sheets.

Sun

September 19, 2021
Final touches of paint

Artwork operational with lights, safety features etc

Monday

September 20, 2021
Dry, ready to visit

Opening

Thinking further the logistics of this new design: we are actually using almost only the polycarbonate sheets. most of the aluminium, corrugated steel sheets and steel tubes are no longer used. So we should bring them back to MakerBay Tsuen Wan, for future projects! And we should do that BEFORE the typhoon comes.