In celebration of the Fast Ferry connecting Rochester, NY to Toronto, Canada.
Design Approach
Make an architectural model of the 4 corners based on the site plan provided, in 125:1 scale.
Based on the model, consider what should be the appropriate volume for the sculpture suitable to make the required impact on the space.
Notice the symmetry of the four corners and the need to tie the four corners together.
Take into account the history and culture of the area.
Consider the "gateway" concept.
Consider various ideas such as nautical, regional and national attractions such as the Garth Fagan dance troup, the Chrysler building, Kodak, the Adirondacks, the Finger Lakes, wineries, golfing, sailboats, etc.
Consider costs and choose possible materials such as concrete, sheet metal, pipes and cables, etc.
Focus on tying all the four corners together in the design.
A thought is that of Matisse's 4 blue dancers.
Consider a simple, yet strong design that would accomplish tying the corners together. Consider the St. Louis arch as it was when incomplete. The two halves pointing toward each other gracefully, with the middle seeming to exist, but not yet there.
Note that metal rods and cables can be tied together most efficiently and with maximum strength using a system of triangles such as Buckminster Fuller's work, or a related design by a less well know theorist, Kenneth Snellson and his "tensegrity" models.
Consider making the incomplete arches out of metal trusses. This approach would be feasible.
Make sketches of the incomplete arches.
Proceed to adding the incomplete arches to the architectural model.
Realize that the 4 incomplete towers "don't work" - the design is still lacking.
Experiment with taking the top half of the 2 arches, inverting them, and having them span the 4 towers. This seems to improve the overall design appeal.
Replace the inverted arch with cables in order to minimize the overhead structure and yet keep the concept of an arch or gateway. The cable
system may be acceptable since it is similar to an overhead stoplight.
Add the cable system to the model for the final design.
