Bicycles & Architecture

We realised our first recumbent. You might see us roaming the streets of Colombo. We have already cruised down Independence Square and the Galle Face Green.

It is a fantastic learning experience, making it. We experimented and learnt much about bicycles, mechanics, design and even architecture. We have noted improvements to the first recumbent.

We named her, 'Sweet Potatoes'. There is a story behind it. We managed to build it while the majority of Archi - Faculty students were boycotting lectures, which make the effort sweeter.

It is fast. Can be faster. Easy to ride once you get used to it. Safe as long as some maniac doesn't run you over. An absolute pleasure to ride in reclining position. That is the beauty of the baby.

So where does Architecture come into this?

The overall design, although driven by mechanics, needed a lot of attention to anthropometrics and ergonomics. It deals with four dimensions; 3D physical and the 'time' dimension. The design is a kinetic machine and involves humans. More importantly it is about fun, pleasure and joy. That is our connection between Bicycles and Architecture.