Introduction
An existing urban landscape must be temporarily and/or permanently augmented in order to accommodate large public events. The hosts must have the flexibility to respond to this influx and return to its ‘normal’ baseline condition after the event.

If these events are recurring, this condition becomes a temporary but repetitive effect on the urban landscape which irreversibly transforms this condition each time. The reverberate shifts in the baseline condition of the urban landscape are not predetermined nor prescribed thereby creating a series of complex effects in the form of voids, gaps and fissures within its fabric. Irrespective of the scales of these effects, the spaces can be understood as positive latencies instead of negative or lacking.

Description
This studios focus is two fold: it requires the contemplation of the notion of recreational/active space and the non-discrete nature of the boundaries between architecture, landscape, and urbanscape. The architecture, landscape/open space and urbanscape responses to the effects of an annual influx in public occupation of the site inadvertently relate through multiscalar adjustments.

The structure is one that is open to change and perturbations based on each subsequent rebuilding of it. In other words, it is an issue of repetition and difference. Over each iteration deviation occurs however in a manner that each subsequent reconstruction is not entropic, i.e., is not a degradation of the original.

By exploring indeterminacy, transformation and mutability, the studio engages notions of duration and change as a design strategy for architecture and urbanism. In 1893 in an effort to draw attention to their spring handicap meet, the University of Pennsylvania track committee decided to pursue the idea of a relay as an additional event. Despite the lack of permanent facilities, the popularity of the event increased and by 1896 attendance had quadrupled and it had also developed beyond gathering for series of races; it built up a carnival like atmosphere. In 1910, the meet adopted and was known as the 'Penn Relay carnival'. Each year, the University of Pennsylvania hosts what is now the largest and longest running track and field relay meet in the world. The event attracts over 10,000 athletes from high schools, colleges, clubs, the armed services, preparatory schools, junior high schools, middle schools, parochial schools, and elementary schools all over the world ranging from ages 8- 80.

Charge “The goal of the Penn Relay Carnival is a simple one: to provide the best competition for the greatest number of participants of all levels, ages and abilities.” -Dave Johnson, Frank Dolson Director of Penn Relays

The studio will begin with parallel studies of the site and the carnival and/or ephemeral events, structures and the technology they require simultaneously.

The point of departure is located between the inherent permanence of architecture and mutability of the events we design for, not only formally but as the users experience is choreographed through space. The project contends with the constant movement of a large numbers of people and the paradox of intimacy and congestion/density and the energy generated from so many people collapsing in the same space.

The studies will be specific, open ended and speculative with the ability to incite risk and chance. The studio will proceed with the belief that architectural design is a critical and revelatory act…

Studio Project
The studio project will propose and design a Penn Relay carnival structure on a site located adjacent to the Franklin field on the University of Pennsylvania campus. The structure will be a device that mediates between the activities at the ground (tennis courts), through the passage (existing path and within the structure (Franklin Field).