Build Day

Loading the van

Today was the day. After two long weeks of planning and fabricating, we we're finally going to site to build Tube Cubed.
The morning was the earliest start we had had. At studio for 7:15am, the day began by finishing off putting the inserts into the tubes and PVA-ing the insides of the tubes as well as touching up on some of the varnish. We then set about dismantling it and cleaning up. The tubes were once again arranged in their rows to make it easier to construct once we reached Dunham Massey. The van arrived soon after 8:00am so we loaded up and were soon on our way, travelling in convoy of three cars, a van and a group of people on the buses.

It might be a bit on the small side . . .

Once we reached Dunham Massey, we were slightly more awake and as I was travelling with Siobhan and Fran, I arrived before the van so we headed over to site with the model. The van came soon enough so we set about unloading every thing and after three trips in the quad-bike-trailer-vehicle, everything was onsite ready to be built.

First thing first was getting the bases level and in the right place. This involved using the spirit level and one of the frame pieces while we shifted them around and put rubber squares underneath them to stop it from sitting in standing water when it inevitably tipped it down.

The team looking somewhat confused

While this was going on, we had a team bolting the frames together ready to be put in as soon as we were happy with where the pavilion was going to stand. 

The official way of testing structural stability

The frames went in quickly and to secure them, we wedged pieces of rubber between the frame and the base. Before we went any further, we had to make sure it was structurally sound. This involved team members hanging and swinging off it and generally making like monkeys!

Needless to say, it passed.

After that it was Tube Time. As we had practised, we started with row A and were working our way up but some of the tubes had got mixed up in transit so it turned into a bit of a free for all. I escaped around the back to make sure that they were all level with each other and the bases.

It's Tube Time!

I see you!

It didn't take long to get them all in, although we still had a couple of problem holes to sort out. These took the longest to do and to make a long story shorter, we took turns to try and get the holes in the frame wide enough to get the tubes into for most of the day. Our techniques included filing, sanding, chiselling and even drilling and none of them seemed to be having much effect whatsoever. 

Whilst this was happening, or rather, not happening, we were having problems around the back. It looked messy and we were told that it may even pose a health and safety risk due to the nails that hadn't been put in properly. We needed to sort it and sort it is what we did. 

First things first and that was to get the pins nailed in all the way. This called for some serious quality control and any nails that hadn't gone in straight or couldn't go in any further but needed to were pulled out and put in again.

Once this was done, we then got onto tidying up their appearance by sanding down the surface and applying a new coat of varnish.

We secured the tubes in place by placing pieces of rubber between the tubes and the framework. This was to stop them moving or being taken out. 

The frames were still being filed and sanded when we began discussing how we were going to brace it because, despite wedging rubber into the nooks and crannies, it still had a bit of a wobble going on. It was talked about on the previous night and metal rods were considered although we didn't have much of an idea of how to attach them.
A group was sent to B&Q with strict instructions of what to get. They returned with metal rods, nuts and other bits and pieces that were needed, including some new files which were received with open arms to those who were still filing holes. These new files got the job done and there was plenty of celebrating when the last of the tubes went in. 
The guys who were working on the bracing got one rod in before we had to leave and the difference it made was noticeable straight away.

Soon it was time for team photos and to go home due to lack of light but the plan is to come back on Tuesday to finish off the bracing and securing the tubes in place.

The finished article

Some of the original design team

There was obviously something more interesting than
the camera!

A slightly late up-date

Today is day three of the project, which means the blog is well overdue an update!
So, Wednesday, we meet early once again and the first thing we did was a little re-shuffle of the group. Jennifer, project leader appointed leaders for the individual teams and a communications secretary (Me!). This meant that while she was running around like a headless chicken between the different teams working out exactly what was going on, she could leave the leaders to sort out the teams and report back to her. My job is to run around after her recording everything from minutes to meetings to reports to the blog.

Our 'benevolent dictator' talking structures

Probably one of the biggest achievements of the day was sourcing the tubes. We had our tube team on the phones all day and, despite several wrong answers, we managed to source all of the tubes we needed. We were also left with a decision to make: what size tubes to have. The original design was 150 mm but we couldn't get hold of any so we had to chose between 100 mm and 200 mm. In the end, we opted for 100 mm tubes which means we have to go and pick up 218 cardboard tubes. Fun times!
It was then left to the tube team to find a van to travel to various placed within a two hour radius to pick them up. This is to happen on Monday after a route is planned and our tubes are 110% confirmed. 

The tube team weren't the only ones to be busy. Publicity also had some amazing progress along with a genius of an idea that was the brain-child of James (team leader of publicity). We have come up with a sponsorship scheme where we will offer packages of Gold, Silver and Bronze to local architects and companies. Each package has different perks, with Gold being the most advantageous with regards to advertising their services. A brochure was produced for this last night and will be sent out today. 

It was all busy in the publicity office

We were also able to organise a meeting with Tom Jefferies, head of Manchester School of Architecture, to try and reduce the costs of using CAM in the workshop as we felt that what we wanted to do was seriously disproportionate to the cost. We are hoping to send him a spreadsheet of all the costings so that he can help us further.

Today, we are hoping to plan road trips, contact architects and get this design finalised with the new tube sizes. It's all good on the home front!

Tube Cubed Part 2

The winners were chosen and yesterday was the beginning of Dunham Massey Winter Pavilions Part 2.

The day began with the super groups being chosen followed by each group member being assigned to specific teams appropriate to their abilities and skills.

Busy bees in the studio

The admin team: in charge of keeping everything organised and, as the name suggests, taking record of every single thing that happens within the group and any developments with the pavilion – hence this blog.

The materials team was organised into two groups:

The tube team: this team’s priority is sourcing the tubes with make up the body of the pavilion. As this is the key part of the design the group was created to focus on this aspect. This team will also look into how the tubes are going to be coated and waterproofed.

The miscellaneous materials team: Their job is to source the other materials needed for the pavilion. This includes the plywood for the frames, screws, metal plates etc.

The fundraising team: money and sponsorship is the key element of this team. They are responsible for contacting suppliers and companies to help with the construction. This could vary from negotiating prices of materials to getting advice and contacts.

The structure team: this small band of group members is responsible for making the pavilion design work. As we gather materials, we may hit snags, which result in the design having to be altered. This is what our structure team is here for. As of yet, no snags have been hit.

A hive of activity

Yesterday, once everyone had been sorted into their teams, our studio space was buzzing with activity. We made great progress with sourcing the tubes – fundraising was working closely with tube team and contacted about forty suppliers, with thirteen or fourteen confirmations of free tubes. This is great news as the tubes were going to be one of the most expensive parts of the pavilion. Today, the tube team is trying to organise vans to pick them up, along with getting confirmation from the companies about picking up the tubes and planning a route.

The misc. materials team was busy finding where we can get supplies. Today, a couple of them have gone to see if they can source them.

The admin team was sorting out the group’s social networking. Yesterday our Facebook page and Twitter account was launched and today’s sees the blog’s first entry. It was key to get as many people to see the page so we invited friends, family, roommates and course-mates to like it and have a look to see what we are up to. This, along with Twitter and the blog, is going to be updated on a regular basis to keep people informed of what we are getting up to.