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:
- What have planned originally
- The platform, re-inforced with steel "crown" (red) a lot of steel tubes and legs welded to the columns (orange)
- The triangulation of all the columns with steel flats (purple)
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...
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:
- Preparing for towing in Sai Kung on the platform
- Prefabricating some parts (below deck triangle)
- Wall "Skin" now that we are using the polycarbonate, not for the walls, but for the roof
- 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.
It had us re-think our schedule completely as well.
| Day | Date | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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.