Ricky Swallow:

GEOGRAPHICALLY, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A STRANGER TO SNOW, AND ICE AS A SUBSTANCE, AND NOW I'M INVITED, AS A TOURIST, WITHIN THIS SUBSTANCE TURNED MEDIUM, ON A COLLABORATIVE BLIND DATE WITH AN ARCHITECT TO CREATE SOMETHING CONCEPTUALLY, AESHETICALLY AND STRUCTUALLY SOUND. SOMETHING TO STAND BY AND IN ... SOMETHING USEFUL... SOMETHING EXCITING.

MVRDV:

-----Original Message----

From: Winy Maas

Sent: 25 April 2003 14:27

To: Ricky Swallow

Cc:

Subject: first considerations

hi ricky,

can we use the ice-show sculpture in a functional way? can it become a prototypical test case for creating ice cities on top of existing mountains? cities that accommodate perfect ski resorts, even in heating climates?

it will allow for a series of questions.

how much ice do we need to insulate interior program?

can we use the ice sculpture for a functional program like a public bath,a sauna and a toilet? can ice solve the issues of human urine and faecies? can it create a generous transition from steam to water to ice?

can this 'climatic' transition allow for vegetation, say natural life? can it thus act as a 'life-generator' again? a ice-greenhouse?

are added materials needed for such a suggestion?

can added colours allow for better climates? can added plastic allow for the hygiene? do we need to freeze rocks or wood to stabilize it? do we need other types of insulation to create these niches? etcetera.

in order to solve this we would like to invite technicians like the existing hotel builders, ove arup and tom matton for these issues

many regards

winy

From: "Ricky Swallow"

Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2003 15:11:10 +0000

To: winy

Subject: snow show/ricky swallow

dear winy, my initial ideas for the structure are scattered and at times contradictory, i've started a journal of sketches, but the following is a list of some interests/influences and concearns:

enis/brown-cast sement tiles translated into ice casting the archicecture of empty swimming pools-skate board bowls stadium, teared seating like stairs dropping to surface of activity(interior)

glass/ice prism pavement light wells surrounding structure

subway tunnels

an interior of stairwells

schindler house, concreteslab construction, cut vertical light slits a photograph of lajolla womens club in construction, front wall tilting in position....this idea as permanent state of structure

casting organic interlocking interior wal pannels

digging deepinto earth, allowing outside structure to be minimal/priviliging the interior

the exterior is going to be so weather affected, maybe these changes can be used conceptually, eg angels darting exterior walls-snowbays for collecting

extra shape

robert smithsons partially covered woodshed

can we cast slabs of colored ice

sedimentary, ice layered, cut/stacked.....a constructed melt parked cars gathering snow beside structure-extra 30% material

bar

wall, cast carved units-freeway/construction barrier

an archicectural/archiological fabrication

striped walls,snow/ice/snow ice-striped light

an interior experience for one

using freeway/carpark structure as strucual/design for support

an interior with options

melbourne university heritage listed underground carpark/baroque-used in a sequence of mad max...

contour cot drops-drained river bed...concentric circle plates cut and layered, as sunken monument structure

.....winy like i said it's scattered, i will forward somme sketches which are just way-out indicators of the beggining of a process in a following email

thanks/out/ricky

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From: "Ricky Swallow"

Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2003 20:06:40 +0000

To: Winy Maas

Subject: Re: first considerations

winy i like the functional idea, and also the context of the case study structure from what i know of it's probably more fashionable incarnation here in LA

it would be cool if the structure had a social purpose

i guess the questions also lead to functioning influencing form, and what is feasable in terms of engineering

what do you propose as the next stage and what are the options for meeting, ny next weekend is very soon, and i'm not sure how availiable you are if i make the trip there

thanks/out/ricky