Topics in Contemporary Architecture & Urbanism: To Scale: Tools of Precision, Objects of Measurement

Among the many devices carried on Apollo 11 was the humble "N600-ES" slide rule. This analog calculator may seem out of place in an era of rockets and space exploration, but its significance points to a deeper history. Since the 1600s, handheld slide rules have been essential for engineers, scientists, and craftspeople in solving complex equations, charting stars, and recording the color of the sky, revealing the connection between human ingenuity and the tools we use. This design seminar mocks, mimics, and annotates the hidden regime of architecture through a series of objects, drawings, and videos, culminating in a 1:1 final project.