Form & Function
Expression of Truth & Beauty

The purpose of this project is to explore the relationship between form and function. The goal behind this project was to demonstrate that beauty combines the visual aesthetic with the expression of function and requirement. Students were required to transform an existing bridge into a structure that allows water traffic to pass through a 30' x 40' opening.

Span Prototypes

Movement Analogies

This project also helped me exercise the method of idea formation since we were required to analyze the movements of common objects in our homes. This then led us to create conceptual combinations that would transform our bridge and help us achieve the required clearance.

Combination Table

Preliminary Designs & Transformation Process

I decided to use the ice cream scooper as the movement inspiration. At the start of the design process, I thought it would be interesting to tilt the object at an angle similar to that of the cables. This resulted in more difficulty in creating the desired swing movement, but it brought a more obvious transformation to the look of the bridge. This further proves that the bridge's form will be affected when attempting to achieve a desired function (motion).

"Form follows function... it's the Law".

-Louis Sullivan