toolkit on a tangent

an architectural field-research toolkit from

tangentstudios

coordinated and designed by eleanor shipman

about the toolkit

this toolkit is for...

creating a dialogue with the wider

creative fi eld

sharing and refl ecting on our practice

giving those looking to work with us an idea of how they could get involved

+ tangentstudios

+ students+ local people+ participants+ collaborators

+ architects + artists+ creatives+ builders

tangentstudios ltd tangentfi eldpractice fi eld research

tangent

up to £1m budget buildings

+ collaboration with partners

+ educational: teaching and mentoring

smale-scale developments

wide range of clients

community projects

working with suppliers + builders

+ skill sharing and sharing our practice

+ engaging people in design + build

physical buildings

buildings, events + workshops

+ innovative, sustainable, design

residential + community projects

live build projects with participants

permanent, formal architecture

temporary, informal architecture

hands on, practical participation+ local, regional,

national, international+ networking

+ resourcefulness

connected to university and academia

+ vernacular design

+ appropriate technology

+ tangentfi eld

our practice

project checklist

+ what are the values embedding in the project? + do the users and commissions share those values?

+ can we engage the community / end users in the design process and project realisation?

+ what resources can we get for free?+ can we source materials locally to the site? how local?

+ what are the design opportunities in terms of social and environmental sustainability?

+ what are the potential project legacies?i.e. formal (insurance liabilities), informal...

+ what are the opportunities for learning, refl ecting and skill sharing?

+ how long does the project need?+ how much time can we give?

+ what documentation and recording methods can we use?

+ how can we defi ne our method statement and risk assessment?

our values

+ what are the site opportunities and challenges?

sustainable architecture

community engagement

cooperative + collaborative working

skill sharing

people-focused design

our core values are embedded in both strands of our pratice - tangentstudios and tangentfi eld.

tangent top tips

we think it’s important to share learning and best practice, so here are some top tips from our live fi eld-research:

be open: share resources and be part of sharing networks

embrace the challenges of cooperative and collaborative working

involve end users in the design process and realisation

clarify your values, the project values, agenda and brief

prepare well!

use hand tools wherever possible

use reclaimed materials to minimise cost and maximise experimentation

fi nd a language that makes communication easy and inclusive e.g. hand drawings, open mic...

stimulate consensus, friendly competition and wide thinking

provide safe, broad and strategic frameworks that encourage fl uidity and improvisation

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open opportunities for peer to peer learning,connect people and seed other projects

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look at resources around each project: people, skills, materials and leftfi eld opportunities

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play safely!13

key materials + equipment

our essentials for any live fi eld research project, from small-scale buildings, to events, workshops and performances:

pallets

hand tools: saw, hammer, crow bar, impact driver...

battery powered tools

reclaimed timber

hay bales

pens, scissors, glue

post-its

good quality fi xings

canvas

cable drums

bamboo

other key materials:

+ earth: rammed render+ gabions+ rope+ loose bricks+ pedal power

to be used and reused!

other key elements:

+ covered areas+ portable kitchen+ work benches+ long tables+ computer / tech area+ patience!

site best practice

when on site we follow some basic best practice to keep everyone safe and happy!

keep the site / workshop area tidy at all times and watch out for any hazards

keep up your energy levels by drinking plenty of water, eating enough and taking breaks

ensure tools are kept in the tool area when not in use

if you see someone who needs help, give them a hand - and ask for help when you need it

use common sense and pay attention to detail - i.e. don’t strip timber which has nails in it!

leave no trace

what you will need:

+ steel capped / hard boots+ workman’s gloves+ overalls / practical old clothes+ water bottle+ suncream+ waterproofs+ dry change of clothes+ long hair tied back

+ overalls / practical old clothes

documenting the project

project outline:

risk assessment completed:

notes:

learning / outcomes:

debrief / next steps:

photos uploaded on fl ickr:

project uploaded onto website:

photo permissions:

date:

social media project lead:

title:

project timeline

+ leave no trace

+ prepare brief + idea

generation with participants

+ design, planning and preparation+ resource

identifi cation

+ collaborator recruitment

+ resource collection: Reuse Network, site and recycled materials

+ site recce

+ building, making,

experimentation, playfulness!

+ post-project refl ection and review

+ learn, share and develop

+ transportation of materials

+ removal of materials

+ meet with client

+ prepare appointment document

+ site preparation

+ health and safety briefi ng

and tools induction

+ project debrief and celebration on site!

+ project handover to client

+ client debrief meeting

+ social media, fi lm and photographic documentation

+ shared meals and collaboration

imagination

resourcefulness

playful adventures

celebration

refl ection

what to expect from a typical fi eld-research project:

let’s work together!

Student placement/volunteer

Creative collaborator

Skilled specialist

Workshop participant/ volunteer

Live build team leader

Live build team member

or discuss your project needs with us - we work with:

join us in one or more of these live project roles:

Theatre and performance companies

Community groups / centres

Festival organisers

Arts organisations

Not-for-profi t & charities

Individual commissioners

Schools / educational organisations

+ email: sally@tangentfi eld.co.uk+ twitter: @tangentfi eld1+ website: www.tangentfi eld.co.uk

get in touch to fi nd out more!

about us

Director Sally Daniels

Co-founder Marcus Toop

Project ArchitectLawrence Duck

Coordinated and designed by Eleanor Shipman of SGSU, 2016www.somethinggoodsomethinguseful.com

+ email: sally@tangentfield.co.uk+ twitter: @tangentfield1+ website: www.tangentfield.co.uk

tangentfield is an open architectural field-research practice.

We work with individuals and community groups; specialists and novices, making temporary or permanent constructions. We often use performance as part of our method and reclaimed or found materials as our resource.

We experiment with ‘process’ and celebrate ‘product’. Each event or project we do provides a platform for people to come together and share ideas, enjoy teamwork and challenge the limits of pre-conception and expectation…

tangentfield is a strand of tangentstudios ltd - a special architecture practice operating from Centrespace; an applied arts worker’s co-operative located in the heart of Bristol.

We will help take your project from initial concept right through to completion; creatively, resourcefully and responsibly.

We collaborate with a regular team of well respected local builders, carpenters, engineers and trades delivering good quality, affordable buildings of all shapes and sizes.