2022-2023
Speculative Design

The Bartlett School of Architecture
Tutors: Prof. Laura Allen, Prof. Mark Smout, Tom Budd

The Philosophical Table
Energy Storage Technology in Instrumental Landscape

Inspired by the 'Philosophical table', a range of energy storage technologies and experiments are combined on this experiment table, demonstrating as landscape devices. The model can be seen on an instrument scale as well as a landscape scale.

Employing the technique of 'commonplace', which George Adam used for designing the philosophical table, to reorganise elements. Combining elements extraced from the Penguin Island Book with other instruments and hand-drawn elements.

George III's Philosophical Table

The philosophical table is an experiment apparatus made for King George III by George Adams for the purpose of moral education. The table integrating a range of didactic instrumentsinto the modular system to demonstrate scientific principles. Image source


Commonplace

George Adams used a technique called 'commonplace', a widespread method for organising information in the early-modern period, to compile and organise images and knowledge for the philosophical table. Adams cut, pasted, and drew around existing printed material to compose his invention. Image source


Figures, Landscape and Experiment

In the engravings in Theoremata mathematica scientiae staticae, puttos demonstrate experiments related to geometry and physics rules in a relating landscape setting. Image source





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