A Universe
This is our Beam Camp Project Development Process! It contains the Sketching of our Ideas, Prototyping of Materials and Research of Techniques. It also contains Activities for you to do at home prior to Camp!
follow these links for
Research / Prototyping
COB
Gourd Symbolism
Wattle and Daub
Plaster
Foundation
Other Building Techniques
Window Instruments
Casting Instrument Parts
follow these links for
Activities
Soil Shake Test
Relief / Prompt!
Wattle
Daub
Update - Due to COVID-19, A Universe was rescheduled for Summer 2021. For Covid-related cautionary information pertaining to Beam Camp, please see the Beam Center site for updates on Guidelines for Camps provided by the American Camp Association and the CDC.
leave us a message!
Comments / Questions / Upload
Info on the Designer -
Ye Qin Zhu
Project Designer - Ye Qin Zhu
“When we step into the gourd, we are reminded to step into ourselves, to inhabit ourselves respectfully and purposefully.
![]()
![]()
“According to Taoists the universe is bottle gourd shaped, resembling the number 8 (the mobius strip; infinity).“
![]()
![]()
“When we step into the gourd, we are reminded to step into ourselves, to inhabit ourselves respectfully and purposefully.
Our bodies are sites for perceiving the universe, and the perceiver - each of us - is A Universe.”
“A Universe” is a giant bottle gourd made of Earth - cob and lime plaster. Cob
is one of the oldest and toughest building materials, some of its structures date back millennia
and are still standing today.”
“When it rains, water streams into channels carved on its outside walls and down to the windows, where there are instruments that fill up, tip, spill, hit notes, and make music.”
“You can enter at either
of the two ends; inside, there are large feet, hands, and heads lining the walls, resembling a
body turned outside in.”
“According to Taoists the universe is bottle gourd shaped, resembling the number 8 (the mobius strip; infinity).“
