3 Articles

Carlos Slim

http://www.forbes.com/free_forbes/2007/0326/134.html

"Slim, 67, amassed his pile in a nation where per capita income is less than $6,800 a year and half the population lives in poverty. His wealth comes to 6.3% of Mexico's annual economic output; if Gates had a similar chunk in the U.S., he'd be worth $784 billion. It's enough to give any populist heartburn."

Ratan Tata

(Ratan Tata’s Global Quest
2006-10-04 16:40:45 Source : Moneycontrol.com)

'Ratan Tata has expressive hands. As he speaks, they move constantly —sometimes in a broad, expansive sweep, a grand gesture that conveys the strategic leap the entire Tata Group has taken overseas.'

Zhang Yin

(China's 'Queen of Trash' finds riches in waste paper, By David Barboza
Published: January 15, 2007)

"My goal is to make Nine Dragons, in three to five years, the leader in containerboards," Zhang said emphatically during a short interview in her Hong Kong office. "My desire has always been to be the leader in an industry."

http://hosted.filefront.com/eyasseen/

Final - The Ramps

The ramps play a clever role in conveying the Scientists' quotes. However, they have been arranged so that Darwin is reminded of Hawking's beliefs and that Darwin is reminded of Hawking's beliefs. I think this is an important factor for both scientist. As people of their intelligence are striving to understand a wider view of the world.

Hawking's Ramp:

This ramp is completely functional, paying respect to Darwin. Connecting from the beam to the meeting space. Looking from the extended elevation, the ramp also resembles bracing ('H' section beam), supporting the cantilever above.


Darwin's Ramp:

This ramp contrasts to Darwin's space. The split levels encourage a play on feelings which is also encouraged by the varying textures along the floors, ceilings and walls. The ramp is made to encourage Darwin to forget terrestrial matters and continue his work on more important things, hence encouraging his quote.

Final - The Meeting Space - On the Wall

The meeting space combines elements from both scientists. It is an extension from the weight of the wall whilst hovering from the beams above. This is emphasized by the step down from the sequenced pergola (similar to Hawking's space) to the dark landing (Darwin). The meeting space is a transition between the contrasting labs.

Final - Charles Darwin - Behind the Wall

Darwin's Space: The dark passage, leading behind the wall, into an anchor for the cantilever outside. The passage is long, with a dim light at the entrance of the space. The darkness emphasizes the solidness around the passage and lab, implying the functionality of a heavy weight, supporting the overhang. With this the positioning of the space is made completely functional and needed in making Hawking's space possible.
The space itself, also calved out of a larger mass, is split into three different areas, by varying height of floors and ceilings. This clearly identifies the positions Darwin would undertake his daily tasks. There is no waste of time. The only light available is from a window outside. Tunnel like this window also emphasizes how deep in the space is.
This space is simple, yet efficient, connecting directly to Darwin's quote.

Final - Stephen Hawking - In Front of the Wall

Stephen Hawking's Space:
At the end of the cantilever Hawking's lab floats in free spirit (Inspired by Precedent 2). It is distanced from the remaining structure by long beams that assist the cantilever effect. The lab itself: a sequence of arches, inviting a play of light (Inspired by Precedent 1); encouraging those terrestrial matters to fade from mind.

Merged Quotes

"To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit." - Hawking

“A man who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life” - Darwin

The human spirit does not bother with a watch, yet does not exist if an hour is wasted.