Ainslie Murray + panovscott

FINALIST

Untitled.

The design is a process, an object results.

Our traditional mode of architectural practice could be typified as making small projects, with exigent budgets, for largely novice clients. In these situations we invariably find ourselves working closely with those who build our projects and whilst we are quite diligent in determining the particular nature of our architecture prior to the construction process, we find invaluable a process that enables us to engage with those who make and their hard won wisdoms.

For this competition we were interested in examining how we could simplify our a priori instructions for the particular tapestry structure. In how the elegance of this starting condition might enable complexity resulting in a richness that we could not envisage with our limited skills & resources. In how we might step back a little and facilitate the improvisational involvement of all of the wonderful weavers across our country.

We feel the results would enable an object which is not a laconic and easily defined whole but instead a generous and many voiced conversation.

The design, with a vertical loom establish 75 warp threads at 12 threads to the inch. Each thread is to be wool. Alternate each thread with three diameters, 20ply, 6ply, 12ply in the rondo pattern (abaca) starting with the 20ply to the left facing the finished surface. Each thread is to have a different colour which will mimic the visible light spectrum starting with violet to the left. The weft is to comprise 225 threads at 12 threads to the inch. All threads are to be 12ply and white in colour. In establishing the weft the weaver is to improvise such that the warp is revealed periodically in an elongated vertical manner.