PROJECT_ DR(IF)T

Narrative
Snow fences can be found near highways and buildings throughout Montana and the Northwest. Their primary purpose is to deposit blowing snow particles on the downwind side of the fence forcing snow drifts to occur in a predictable place away from high-use areas. The fences are primarily used to prevent drifting along roadways, but are also used in avalanche control and even used by farmers and ranchers to deposit snow in basins for ready water supply in the spring.

In addition to performing a function, the snow fences often become dramatic objects when placed in the open landscapes of the west. Both the linear fence and resultant drifting fall nothing short of an artistic piece in the surrounding ranchland.

Among these are the wood snow fences near I-90 in Livingston Montana. These inspire a project that offers the studio an involvement in both functional and artistic areas, while incorporating the parametric nature of wind and snow drift accumulation.

Project
Students are asked to replace, modify, or add to an existing snow fence in the landscape along I-90 east of Livingston.

Students are asked to:
1. Create a new fence that will maintain or improve upon the existing functionality and maintenance issues.
2. Design a project that can be digitally fabricated off-site in order to facilitate construction in an extreme climate such as this.
3. Design the fence parametrically in order to respond to wind / snow conditions, and allow the fence to be adaptable to various site locations.
4. Make the fence an artistic installation within the landscape, paying special attention to the snow drifts that can be created. The resultant product can be thought of as “Landscape Fabrication,” and use this as the artistic inspiration for the fence.