Look closer to see (and better!)

Over the last several months, we've been developing a unique product.  While I've seen them once before, these are more compact, slick-looking and have a few new design features.

These floating magnifiers are all acrylic except for the glass lens.  They are self-righting and shed water drops on top and bubbles from the bottom.  The dept of field is about 5"

This one is upside down.

Each is about 7" diameter and 4" high.

The staff at Sitka Sound Science Center in Alaska just ordered 8 of them.  I can get them ready to go relatively quick if other interests exist.

Carmel Valley Fountain

Here in Carmel Valley, we don't take our (usually) mild Mediterranean climate for granted.  Outside time is very important.  A local family has asked for an outdoor water feature and C&A are honored to oblige.

The concept is a relaxing 8' tower of terraced rockwork with a series of cascading falls ending in a main pool below.  Planter pockets will add green accents throughout and a hidden pump in the main pool will supply the regulated recirculated flow.

As always, it starts with a concept sketch, below:

Then the foam foundation is started.  It is very 'sculpt-able' at this point so the clients can make suggestions and add or remove aspects as it evolves.  After the textured and colored fiber fiberglass is added, the foam will be carved out of the back making it a structural, naturalistic hollow shell.  Water can even be run over the foam to make sure the flow and paths are as desired.

 

 Last pic from the shop.  After fiber glassing and coloring.

 Of course, it arrived in the rain..!

 Base in place.

 

Top half not in place yet - it was the heaviest!

Finally assembled and plumbed.

 

Installation in place and water flowing.  Still to evolve, but looking great! 

Concept sketch for reference (we had to tone down the water to cut down on splatter..):

AMF Celebrations

15 Year Anniversary and Satoyama, Jomon Village Opened!

On July 25th, 2015 Aquamarine Fukushima had a lot to celebrate.  It was the 15th anniversary since opening in 2000, and an opportunity to reflect and congratulate Director Abe and his amazing Staff on a full recovery since the tsunami disaster 4.5 years ago.  Additionally, not only have they recovered, but they continue to expand their educational and environmental exhibits.  The celebrations also marked the opening of the new Satoyama, Jomon Village exhibit.  A garden display, with a large river otter exhibit which theme is the coexistence of humans and nature during the Jomon Period in Japan thousands of years ago.

Satoyama

There were about 80 guests in attendance and a dozen delegates, of which I was one, from around the World.  Speakers included the Vice Governor of Fukushima, the Mayor, a member to the State Department, and a few of the delegates present from Kuwait.  The State of Kuwait donated US$5M (and some oil) to AMF after the disaster.  Mr. Abe worked in Kuwait in the 60's as a fisheries biologist and those ties are strong.  The guys from Kuwait are wonderful and fun folks.

During the 3 day celebration there were tea ceremony, drumming, dancing, samurai, falconry, and karate demonstrations.

Congratulations to Mr. Abe and entire AMF team.  It is an honor to participate and contribute to such an amazing, innovative and resilient institution.

My family got to join the trip so here are some pictures just for fun:

Front seats at the dolphin show at Shinagawa Aquarium, Tokyo.

Taiki in the children's Egg Exhibit wing, AMF

Taiki catching (then eating) fish at the AMF Kingfisher Aquarium annex in the Abukuma Mountains.

I had a day before Mikuyo and Taiki joined me in Tokyo prior to the celebrations in Fukushima so I went up in the 2 year old new Tokyo Skytree tower.  The highest observation deck is 450 meters (1,480 feet) high.  Quite a view!

Japan exhibit news

I've been collaborating with Aquamarine Fukushima aquarium in Northern Japan for over 14 years.  It started when my friend and mentor Executive Director Yoshitaka Abe invited me to lead a team of biologists in 2001 for three months with the goal to develop concepts for "Kids Aquarium" venues.  He was inspired by the Splashzone exhibit 2000 at the Monterey Bay Aquarium of which I was intimately involved.

After meeting with the Governor with our completed document above, it resulted in US$10M funding.  This was sadly shelved upon 9/11.  Since then Mr. Abe has been able to phase in Kids exhibits starting in 2003 and I've had the honor to be involved with each.

The latest is the Satoyama Jomon Village section.  The theme is that of humans coexisting with nature as they did thousands of years ago in Japan during the Jomon Period.  It is under construction now and C&A was invited to join the team and participate with the final installation idea phase this May 2015 so off to Japan I went again.  I did some early concept work with Mr. Abe about a year ago, but it's almost done now - opening July 2015.

Above, the Satoyama zone is ringed with a tunnel for viewing

The river getting it's liner

C&A will return in July for the opening celebration.  Stand by for pics of the finished product and the party!  Abe always throws a good one...!

North... to Alaska!

After weeks of planning, conference calls and preparation, C&A headed to Sitka, AK in April, 2015. The task at hand was to help with the culmination of the first Stream Keeper program with the good folks at the Sitka Sound Science Center.

http://www.sitkascience.org/

A small group of interested kids were taught about stream ecology and "what makes a healthy stream" in both the classroom and the field.  C&A's roll came at the end of several weeks of teaching when it was time to build an actual living stream model on the Center gounds.  After three fun, busy days of a combination of designing, field work and building, we had a stream that the kids were rightfully very proud of - because THEY designed and built it themselves (with a little help..)  It was done and looked great by the time I flew home (with some sore muscles..).  Summer visitors will enjoy viewing the stream and will it be periodically interpreted by the Stream Keepers themselves.

It was a very rewarding and valuable project for both the kids and us grownups.  Thanks to the great staff at SCCC for the opportunity for C&A to be part of it.

Welcome. Let's create something special.

Hi Everyone,
My name is Andy and I've been building living exhibits for over 25 years.
This is my blog to keep my projects up-to-date.
Please stay tuned. More to come!

andycasecv@gmail.com

Case & Associates
316 Mid Valley Center #113
Carmel, CA 93923
831-521-8077