Soft Walks

Had a really interesting meeting the other day with a team member from the Transdisciplinary MFA program here at Parsons. They are doing some interesting work, and are framing it around the notion of the Infrastructure of Sanctuary, which really sparked my thought processes. After our discussion we saw great deal of overlaps in our work and research, there may be some co-aligning of research here at certain junctures.

Check out some of there work here »

Thanks Tami and Steven for facilitating the cross studio collaborations!

Aesthetics

More and more I am thinking about aesthetics, after my last in class presentation, where I examined methodological aspects of my project, I began to realize that there is a need to make things beautiful. My reaffirmation for this has been speaking with some people over at Hack Manhattan – that pushed my thinking further that there needs to be aesthetics. This also presented a realization that there are different types of spaces, so far I have identified three, public-public, city owned land, or streets, public-private, a place someone would have to be a member in order to visit and finally private a house, home or other personal space.

In my presentation Friday, to the Internet of Things(IOT) Meet Up, I discussed these areas and their relation to the aesthetic nature of adaptive agricultural systems. I have broken these areas in to four approaches to examine, Automation, Awareness, Integration, Interface. I think that using these four areas I will be able to evaluate the different prototypes I create, and categorize them as to what they examine. This talk opened up a lot of great questions, comments and feedback. Thanks to everyone who was there.

You can check out my presentation from IOT – here »

You can check out my methodology presentation – here »

Methodological

The methodological module provided the opportunity to examine successful projects, in
order to understand the methodologies they implemented. During this time period a
variety of precedent projects were researched. Three projects were highlighted as key precedents to the body of research being conducted. The rationale for their role as a precedent was articulated and then each project was examined by a framework, in order to best understand its approach and results. Download the methodological presentation here (presentation-wk9).

Each precedent was outlined by its Approach, Medium, Planning and Result. The three projects analyzed were Fritz Haeg’s Edible Estates, Britta Riley’s Window Farms, and Ken Rinaldo and Amy Youngs’, Farm Fountain. These projects showcased themselves as the most relevant to UNAS, and their successes, warranted further analysis (figure5.a). In the end, this task facilitated a keen understanding of the competition’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as avenues for adoption and an outline of what makes successful projects in Urban Agriculture.

The exercise highlighted the need for community involvement, through the methodology of both Edible Estates and Window Farms, and their success being related directly to fostering communities of people. Farm Fountains inability to foster a community highlighted a disconnect and a potential area of growth for them. Overall the methods for success were noted and are key to set the methodology for which this work must observe. At the same time this analysis facilitated the projects analysis into the Evaluative Module.

the Technical Module

After researching the conceptual and social aspects of local food production, and getting a good idea about who and what I am talking about, I decided to tackle the technical aspects of what I am building. In the end I have come to the realization that I am building a system to create an efficient networked aquaponics garden to foster sustainable communities. By creating a network of small gardens, urban producers/gardeners/farmers will be able to spread their gardens out and receive vital update dynamically via the control and tracking system.  

Take a look at my presentation for an update to my thinking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Control System

Coming soon is my workings with the control system for a solenoid flow control. There have been some hurdles in regards to finding a way for arduino to reset itself. Thankfully, digging through endless forums has provided so results, thanks to Joe Saavadra.

The images below show the circuit created for controlling two 12VDC solenoid valves for my water cycling system.

The Test Circuit – a combination of darlington Transistors (TIP120’s) and N4004 Diodes

Half the circuit off the breadboard.The valves and tubing. Going to test these out with my sump pump and water soon. Hopefully there is no electrocutions.

 

Filtration Prototype

 

 

 

Part One: Build a Tank

Anyone interested in building a tank, let me know and I will give you a detailed parts list/diagrams. You’ll need a few very important, potentially hard to find parts.


Part Two: Filtration Parts

Now its time to filter the water

 

 

Here are the purposed flow for the system and tank – you’ve probably already seen these, but take a look if not.

(figure6.b) & (figure6.d)

Thinking Conceptually

In order to examine the true concept behind this project I found the inspiration to examine history as a method to understanding where technology, agriculture, and social progress have met. The examination has lead to new questions but I believe has solidified how I will approach the rest of the project. Take a look at my latest presentation examining the historical contexts of my concept and how it relates. View the presentation here »

Planning A System

Thinking through all the things I needed to make my indoor 70 Gallon system I began to map out the needs for a stand, that could support the weight, but also how I could utilize the space, and maximize water flow and cleanliness. I figure that with two solenoids I can control the pump between the tank and the grow bed. The images below showcase The specs I put together for the stand before I start building.

If you’re interested in recreating this I can provide a google sketch up. Building progress to follow.

Interviews

Had the opportunity to sit down and chat with a few people about my project but more importantly about the idea of Aquaponics and its relation is society. I spoke with Michelle Callabro, fellow MFADt Student, and Derek Haviland, Communications & Outreach Director at CAFCA.

Michelle has been working on documenting urban agriculture, in Harlem with her cousin. Her examinations of the users provided me the opportunities to discover what she has found. Her short videos are coming out soon, and I hope to link to them. Michelles connections with the community and her documentary research provided me with the ability to see what has failed in the past working in communities and how I can better position myself within the areas I am trying to help. Quotes to follow.

I had an interesting discussion with Derek about Aquaponics. Derek was in charge of investigating the use of aquaponics systems in urban, low-income communities in Connecticut. He discussed the benefits, to a community, the potential job creation and increased access to fresh vegetables. Derek also provided great insight into the limitations of setting up a system as such, telling me that he believes the government(state and federal) will need to get involved to get something like this started. I will follow up with him again as he is proving to have great insights.