Greenhouse and Cabinet of Future Fossils by Jenny E. Sabin

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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination.

Greenhouse and Cabinet of Future Fossils by Jenny E. Sabin

November 3rd, 2011 by Sumit Singhal

Article source: Jenny E. Sabin

A greenhouse for the 21st century stands in the American Philosophical Society’s (APS) garden. An outgrowth of the Museum’s current exhibition, it was conceived by artist and architectural designer Jenny Sabin. Her ecologically savvy structure re-envisions greenhouse architecture using digital design tools. It is also a striking work of art.

Interior view looking West (Image Courtesy Brent Wahl)

Architects: Jenny E. Sabin
Project: Greenhouse and Cabinet of Future Fossils
Consulting Engineer: Tristan Simmonds
Fabricator: Mikael Avery, Draft Works LLC
Design and Production Team: Mikael Avery, James Fleet Hower, Jason Jackson, AnoosheyRahim, Kathryn Rufe, Meagan Whetstone
Software used: Rhino 3D and Rhinoscript, 3D Studio Max, Bentley Generative Components

view looking West (Image Courtesy Brent Wahl)

Dimensions

Overall = 52′(l) x 14′(w) x 12′(h)
Cabinet structure = 20′(l) x 2′(w) x 4.5′(h)

Materials

CNC cut recyclable high density polyethylene (HDPE) sheets
Recycled plastic ‘lumber’ board
CNC cut polycarbonate
Laser-Cut acrylic sheets
Stainless Steel hardware
Live vines: “mooneye” – small black-eyed Susan Blossom, White and Lavender Clematis,
Scarlett Runner Beans
Nylon cables

Interior view (Image Courtesy Brent Wahl)

Made of recycled and recyclable materials, the 52′-long structure has no glass and requires no heat. It is supported by curving, structural ribs that hold 110 translucent, jewel-toned cold frames (mini-greenhouses) filled with edible and ornamental plants. The 2′ x 1′ x 1′ cold frames are removable and portable, intended for winter gardening in small urban spaces.

Planted cold frames (Image Courtesy Brent Wahl)

The “Cabinet of Future Fossils” inside the Greenhouse displays digitally produced ceramic art objects that are inspired by forms in nature. But they are not quite recognizable. Like scientists perplexed by the fossil bones of animals who lived a long time ago, Sabin wryly imagines a future era when people might be equally puzzled by these curious “fossil” remnants of the computer age.

Cold frames, detail (Image Courtesy Jenny E. Sabin)

Jenny Sabin, Assistant Professor in the College of Architecture, Art & Planning at Cornell University, received a 2010 Pew Fellowship for her work at the forefront of an architectural practice that applies insights and theories from nature and science to the design of material structures.

Overall view (Image Courtesy Meagan Whetstone)

3D prints and Cast Ceramic Forms (Image Courtesy Jenny E. Sabin)

Planted cold frames (Image Courtesy Meagan Whetstone)

Planted cold frames (Image Courtesy Kate Rufe)

Planted cold frame (Image Courtesy Brent Wahl)

view from Signer's Park looking SW (Image Courtesy Brent Wahl)

Interior view looking (Image Courtesy Brent Wahl)

Park looking (Image Courtesy Brent Wahl)

: view looking West (Image Courtesy Brent Wahl)

: Interior view (Image Courtesy Brent Wahl)

: Planted cold frames (Image Courtesy Brent Wahl)

: Cold frames, detail (Image Courtesy Jenny E. Sabin)

: Cross rib assembly (Image Courtesy Jenny E. Sabin)

: Overall view (Image Courtesy Meagan Whetstone)

: Planted cold frames (Image Courtesy Meagan Whetstone)

: Material systems, detail (Image Courtesy Meagan Whetstone)

: 3D prints and Cast Ceramic Forms (Image Courtesy Jenny E. Sabin)

: Planted cold frames (Image Courtesy Kate Rufe)

: Vine canopy (Image Courtesy Brent Wahl)

: Planted cold frame (Image Courtesy Brent Wahl)

: Interior view looking West (Image Courtesy Brent Wahl)

: view from Signer’s Park looking SW (Image Courtesy Brent Wahl)

: Interior view looking (Image Courtesy Brent Wahl)

: Park looking (Image Courtesy Brent Wahl)

: Material Systems

: Plan

: Rendering

: Rendering

Contact Jenny E. Sabin

Categories: 3dS Max, Garden, Generative Components, Rhino

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