RISD at EARTH

The De-SE students present their material research and processes to Carlos Murillo, Director of EARTH University for his feedback. He explained the goals of EARTH to: 1) Clean Energy
2) Clean Water, 3) Clean Country, 4) Information Technology and 5) Enterprise Innovation and how our work may find appropriate uses at the University and in the local community.

Material Abstraction_Process

The students are quickly developing processes for working with the materials ranging from fiber extraction to composites to using mycelium bind the materials together. All are leading to some interesting results. Next week we will be traveling to Costa Rica to visit EARTH University to learn more about its sustainable agriculture and rural entrepreneurship projects. While we are there we will also present our studio's work - the material processes, samples and concepts - to the students and faulty at EARTH University for feedback. We hope to lead a discussion on the potentials of working with these agricultural bi-products and how these materials could be implemented into projects for EARTH and its local community.

Design, meet Science.

On a visit to the RISD Nature Lab the studio took samples of the agricultural bi-products under the microscope. After a quick refresher on 10th grade biology, the studio examined the inherent structures and characteristics of the plants we are working with on a microscopic level. Though we have been working with the materials for a few weeks, making samples and testing their properties, once we got a closer look there were a few exciting surprises. The rice hull, the hard protecting covering of the grains of rice which look smooth to the naked eye, have a fine cross hatch pattern and texture. It also has a high content of silica that contributes to its shiny appearance. The sugar cane bagasse, a fiberous mulch left over after the sugar cane is crushed to extract the juice, under the microscope revealed that there is still plenty of sugar residue and looks as though it is crystalized. The sugar cane wastes, the tops of the sugar cane which are cut off from the stalk and discarded from production, when cut in section reveal its layered structure of an exterior epidermis, interior layer of fibers and a soft woody center of phellem. These discoveries are leading the studio in questioning how we are working with these materials and how much more there is still to learn.

Sugar Cane Waste_Section

Sugar Cane Bagasse

Rice Straw Hull

Process _ Material Samples

Visit to the Peabody Museum!

The De-SE studio traveled to the Peabody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology (PMAE) at Harvard University to understand the traditional uses of agricultural bi-products in the craft culture of Central and Latin America. We studied a collection of baskets, mats and artifacts made from similar natural materials and fibers to those we are working with in the studio such as banana leaves, straw, jute, and bark. The artifacts exhibited construction techniques of weaving, knotting, coiling, and bending which resulted in a high level of craft in these often utilitarian objects.

Material Abstraction

The last of the agricultural bi-products arrived at RISD this week!! Throughout the semester we will be working with sugar cane wastes, bagasse, rice straw and rice hull. The De-SE students are now working to develop panel samples by reconstituting and compositing these materials. Our hope is that through these samples we will discover processes and methods to transform these agricultural bi-products from “wastes” to “industrial materials”.

Revised Studio Schedule

As we discussed in class last week we will have a slight revision to the syllabus to accommodate the Senior Show on Thursday, March 10. See you in studio Tuesday morning.

Tuesday, March 8
AM: Meet in Studio, Material Transformation
PM: 3pm – 5pm : Visit the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology

We will take the 1:30pm Commuter Rail to Boston leaving the Studio at 1:10pm to walk to the station together. You will need to pay cash ($7.75 for your ticket).
http://www.peabody.harvard.edu/

Thursday, March 10
AM: Systems Research Presentations
PM: Meet in Studio, Review Material Transformations

Systems Research: Due 03/08, Presentations 3/10

Each student will research and present a particular system of Costa Rica and compare it to the whole of Latin America. The goal of this research is to gain a better understanding of Costa Rica and the scale of issues from political structure to  cell phone access.  Each system will be studied independently but it is important that we understand how they all effect each other. 

You will present this information on 2) 11 x17 sheets of paper.  This material will be compiled into a booklet that will be shared amongst the studio.

Day 4: Introduction to EARTH University

Thanks to Charlie Cannon for a thoughtful presentation on the history of the RISD/EARTH relationship.  We are excited to be a part of an exciting and innovative effort and look forward to continuing this collaboration!

“EARTH University is an international institution created out of a deep conviction that the environmental and social challenges confronting the planet can be resolved through education that promotes science, technology and entrepreneurship while focusing on essential human values, leadership and a commitment to social and environmental service.”   

Learn more about EARTH University. 

Day 3: In-Class Sketch Exercise

Inspired by their research of an existing social entrepreneurial precedent, students were asked to quickly sketch a product or service idea that came to mind.  This could be a way to improve the product, a variation or a new product or service all together.