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The following illustrates the engineering details of how each part of the Starlingship will be set up, and what I will need.


This will focus mainly on the smallest-scale version of this project: a popup attraction towed on a bike trailer.


I'm including screenshots and URLs for potential online sources of the required materials.


This is just for reference. There is no guarantee that these will be the best places to get these resources, or that these specific items will even be available by the time I have the opportunity to build the Starlingship.



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Next page: Financial feasibility


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Trailer


If the exhibit is going to be a portable popup installation, I'll want a bike trailer.


The bike trailer can be about 64" x 27" and can hold the disassembled canopy, shelving, apartment cubes, folded tables and chairs, and merchandise for the gift shop.


Here is one possible option: (<$1500)


https://www.bikesatwork.com/ store/product/ 64awd-bicycle-trailer


Screenshot from bikesatwork dot com, showing the 64 AWD trailer, a large flat silver-colored trailer with two sets of wheels.


There is also a less expensive version that can carry only 300 pounds instead of 600.


https://www.bikesatwork.com/ store/product/ 64aw-bicycle-trailer


And I don't expect that my setup will weigh more than 300 pounds...


or that I would even be comfortable towing more than 300...


But, I think it will be worth investing in the one with the higher capacity, in case I do someday end up finding that I'm able to tow larger weights.


Owning a high-capacity bike trailer could be useful for many applications besides the Starlingship.


However, I will still plan for my display to add up to no more than 300 pounds.


Feasibility of using a bike trailer


The bike trailer may not even be necessary-- if I can partner with someone who has a car large enough to transport all the parts of the Starlingship disassembled.


But any time I need to transport things by myself, to a place within biking distance, it would be very helpful.


I'm a cyclist who can comfortably commute five miles to and from work every day all year. According to BikesAtWork.com, towing 300 pounds on level ground could be realistic for me.


Hill climbing is another story. Until I find out from experience how much I can tow uphill, I'll stick to venues at the same altitude--or enlist the help of a friend with a car whenever I go to festivals taking place up the mountain. (Also, a bike with electric boost could help.)


Info from https://www.bikesatwork.com/ blog/ how-much-weight-can-a-bicycle-carry


Screenshot from bikesatwork dot com, with this text: Theoretically, a human being can haul a load of almost unlimited size given unlimited time and equipment. Practically, however, equipment, geography, and time puts limits on what is possible. Our experience has been that most people can comfortably pull 300 lbs with a mountain bike and cargo trailer. How quickly a person can move that weight will depend on physical condition. Someone in reasonable physical condition can generally pull a 300 lb load at 10 mph on level ground if there's no wind. A person exerting the same effort could pull a load of 600 lb. at about 8 mph. Climbing a hill with a load takes more effort. Pulling a 300 lb load up a 2% grade at 10 mph requires about 3 times as much effort as on level ground, while a 600 lb load up such a hill requires 4.5 times as much. Riders compensate for this by shifting to a lower gear and going uphill more slowly. This reduces the effort required but increases the time it takes.


But I have to say that a bicycle towing a foldable space station onto the grounds of an art festival would be an eye-catching sight.


Portable Exhibit


If the exhibit is to be a pop-up attraction at temporary venues, there are several options.


At indoor events I could bring the furnishings inside to set up in the space provided.


At outdoor events I could set it up inside a foldable canopy bought or made for the purpose.


This one is compact and under 40 pounds:


https://smile.amazon.com/ ABCCANOPY-Instant-Shelter-Outdoor-Portable/ dp/B07LBNYQB6/


Screenshot from amazon dot com, showing the ABCCANOPY Instant Shelter Outdoor Portable Canopy, item ID number B07LBNYQB6. Image shows a man carrying the folded canopy on his back, indicating how small it can fold up.


In any case, the setup should be light, and easy to disassemble and transport (either by car or by bicycle trailer).


I am considering a setup involving shelves made from PVC tubing, as I'll describe below.


- 40" furniture-grade PVC pipes, 10-pack (4 packs, total 40) (weight: about 40 pounds)


https://smile.amazon.com/ Schedule-Furniture-Plumbing-Projects-Available/ dp/B0876P42SK


- 5-way Connectors, 8-pack (6 packs, total 48) (weight: about 6 pounds


https://www.amazon.com/ FORMUFIT-F0345WC-WH-8-5-Way-Fitting-Furniture/ dp/B00MNIYZ1W


Screenshot from amazon dot com, showing shopping cart containing the Formufit 40-inch x 3/4-inch PVC pipes and the matching 5-way connectors


Building the Shelves


Set aside 10 of the 40" tubes.


Cut each one into two 20" halves.


Set aside 20 more of the 40" tubes.


Cut each one into a 30" piece and a 10" piece.


Cut one of the remaining 40" tubes into twenty small 2" pieces.


Total cut pieces: Twenty each of 30," 20," 10" and 2."


Drawing of 31 of the 40-inch pipes: ten of them cut in 20-inch halves, twenty of them cut each into a 30-inch piece and a 10-inch piece, and the remaining one cut into twenty 2-inch pieces


For EACH ONE of the 5 stories of the apartment building, use the following:


Four 30" pieces


Four 20" pieces


Four 10" pieces


Four 2" pieces


8 connectors


Drawing of the aforementioned pieces arranged in the order they will be assembled


Plus:


At least 4, possibly as many as 12 binder clips


A 3" x 100" strip of plastic hardware cloth or chicken wire


Two pieces of sturdy green canvas, about 30 x 45" (to leave room for hemming)


Two pieces of clear vinyl: one 85" x 18" and the other 65" x 28"


Four 28"x1"x1/2" strips of foam, and glue as needed


https://smile.amazon.com/ AmazonBasics-Binder-Clips-Large-4-Pack/ dp/B074Y17Q4C


https://smile.amazon.com/ NATGAI-Neoprene-Adhesive-Multiple-Dimensions/ dp/B07VZBVC95/


screenshot of the above-mentioned binder clips and foam sheeting on Amazon


https://smile.amazon.com/ Tenax-Hardware-Net-15-Feet-Black/ dp/B000HMA6W8


https://www.fabricwholesaledirect.com/ products/ waterproof-outdoor-canvas-fabric?variant=40748569420


https://www.amazon.com/ Clear-Marine-Vinyl-Double-Polished/ dp/B08N6YHJVG


screenshot of the above-mentioned hardware net on Amazon and canvas on Fabric Wholesale


screenshot of the above-mentioned marine vinyl on Amazon


First, make two 30 x 20" rectangles.


Fold over the green canvas and make two tubular sleeves, each about 22" by 28." Slide the rectangles in, leaving the ends exposed. (Detach and reattach the ends if needed.)


Measure 10 inches in the center. On either side of this, adhere a "curb" of foam, the same length as the canvas sleeve, about 1/2" thick and 1" wide. (This will help hold the apartments in place.)


Drawing of the aforementioned pieces being assembled as described


Place the apartment cubes in a row, between the foam curbs.


Join the two rectangles with 10" pipe pieces, making the floor and ceiling of the shelf.


Add four short feet, made from the 2" pieces.


(These will be able to fit into the connectors of the shelf below.)


Drawing of the aforementioned pieces being assembled as described


Wrap the strip of fencing around the base, to form the guardrail of the walkway. Leave gap in fence on one end (by the elevator).


Wrap the whole section in vinyl: first lengthwise with the 85" x 18" piece, and then widthwise with the 65" x 28" piece. Roll up the excess and clip with binder clips.


Drawing of the aforementioned pieces being assembled as described


Once I've done this for all 5 shelves, I'll have modular stories of apartments (already safe behind transparent protection) which can be easily separated, transported and reassembled.


(Between each two stories of apartments will be a double width of PVC shelving... this is good because it provides plenty of space for the signs describing the apartments.)


Drawing of the aforementioned pieces assembled as described


Use remaining pipes and connectors to build the "magic portal" to place at the doorway.


Not counting the cubes themselves, this could add up to a weight of about 50 pounds.


This leaves 250 pounds in the 300-pound capacity of the bike trailer. (300 - 50 = 250)


The canopy adds about 40 pounds.


This leaves 210 pounds. (250 - 40 = 210)


Apartment Cubes


The apartments will be 10" cubes. Artists can be encouraged to use commercially available cube drawers as a base.


https://www.amazon.com/ Whitmor-Collapsible-Cubes-Set-x10/ dp/B01CDOMN6O


screenshot of the above-mentioned fabric cubes on Amazon


If each cube weighs 5 pounds, they total 75 pounds, leaving 135 pounds. (210 - 75 = 135)


The cubes will be placed 3 to a shelf, down the middle, edged by 5" wide walkways.


Miniature elevators will be on the end of each shelf.


Close-up of a few shelves of the apartments. They are open like dollhouses, with a walkway and guardrail alongside them, and a cylindrical elevator hanging on a cord at the end of the shelf. Most are strange and alien, such as an aquarium-like room containing a four-limbed aquatic creature, a room with mouse-like creatures playing a board game while their cat sits in the foreground, and a room with a two-headed vendor behind a counter overlooking the walkway. One cube is divided into two floors and populated with extra-tiny insect-like people. One has curtains partially hiding a tentacled creature that sits at a table inside. In one, a large bug-like resident relaxes in a hammock.


Furniture


The chairs and tables for guests can each be something like this, covered with velvet.


https://smile.amazon.com/ TravelChair-Canyon-Multi-Use-Camping-Aluminum/ dp/B000A76XQ8


screenshot of the above-mentioned camping stool on Amazon


6 of these (3 used as chairs and 3 used as tables) would be enough.


This would weigh under 15 pounds in total. (135-15 =120)


I can make bags to go over the tables and chairs as decorative furniture covers.


They would be drawstring bags of green velvet, with the cinch several inches from the mouth of the bag.


The bags would be cinched around the smallest point on the legs, leaving a skirt that goes down to the floor.


This would make the furniture look like odd-shaped grassy hills, rising up from the matching carpeted ground of the exhibit.


drawing of fuzzy-covered chair and table on fuzzy-carpeted floor, with a stack of books and a mountain-shaped planter on top of the table


The floor-covering can be a green rug. They will be close in color, so the tables and chairs appear to blend into the floor.


https://smile.amazon.com/ House-Home-More-Outdoor-Turf/ dp/B004YX0WMK/ (14 lbs)


screenshot of the above-mentioned green turf rug on Amazon


https://www.fabricwholesaledirect.com/ products/ micro-velvet-fabric?variant=897649683 (5 yards, < 5 lb)


screenshot of the above-mentioned green velvet on Fabric Wholesale


Total weight added by carpet and fabric: about 20 pounds (120 - 20 = 100)


Plants


On the tables, on the top of the Apartment Building, and on the top of the Gift Shop shelf, there can be decorative potted plants.


They'll be potted in lightweight mountain-shaped planters with several small planting spaces, built out of clay or concrete and/or lava rocks adhered together.


https://smile.amazon.com/ Midwest-Hearth-Lava-Rock-10-lb/ dp/B084C2DDYY


screenshot of the above-mentioned lava rocks on Amazon


For a version of the exhibit that has cable cars and mountain climbing:


Make a hole in the center of each planter and put a length of PVC pipe inside it.


Put soil and small plants in each planting space.


Slide a long dowel (decorated with tiny steps) into the PVC pipe in the center. Connect the top of the dowel to the cable car from the apartment.


Cable cars (and elevators) can just be little decorated boxes, connected to paracord that loops around bobbins or spools affixed to the end points.


However, the cable cars and poles can be reserved for when the exhibit is in a more permanent installation. For the small traveling installation, just a couple of small planters for decoration will suffice.


Make sure they total less than 20 pounds. (100 - 20 = 80)


drawing of fuzzy-covered chair and table on fuzzy-carpeted floor, with a stack of books and a mountain-shaped planter on top of the table. This image shows a pole rising from the top of the planter, with a tiny spiral staircase around it.


Gift Shop Shelving


The gift shop can be a table or set of shelving, also built from PVC.


I can keep its weight to about 15 lbs.


This leaves 65 pounds in the 300-lb capacity. (80 - 15 = 65)


image of a small version of the gift shop shelving, covered in books and merchandise


Stopwatch and Starlight


The Stopwatch Time Machine clock and the Starlight creature will each weigh under 15 pounds, and will total under $500 to make.


Both will be made of modular parts that can disassemble for easy transportation and then easily be assembled on site.


The clock will be approximately the same size as Starlight.


Compared to Starlight, there is more leeway regarding its design.


The only requirements:


It must be eye-catching and interesting, and tall enough for guests to see it near eye level.


There must be two dials on it, labeled VISITOR TIME and STARBASE TIME, which will look as if they could be turned to different settings.


The settings will include REGULAR, FAST, SLOW, and PAUSE.


There must be room on the front of the clock, to put the sign explaining what it's for.


The decorative part of the clock can have all sorts of fancy decorations.


I'm imagining parts from a wooden clock kit, like this.


(It doesn't have to work. Could buy or scavenge an old broken one.)


https://smile.amazon.com/ ROKR-Mechanical-Building-Supplies-Best-Birthday/ dp/B07HSZ9LYJ


screenshot of a wooden mechanical clock kit on Amazon


As with Starlight, the bottom of the clock should fit inside a bin during transit, which can then be turned upside down to form a pedestal when setting it up.


This base can be draped with satin or velvet for decoration.


Sketches of the clock statue disassembled and reassembled. In storage the wooden clock fits inside the cylindrical can that forms the pedestal part, which in turn fits inside the rectangular bin that forms the base. When setting them up, all are overturned and stacked.


Starlight will consist of: two 11" fabric shelving bins, four 36" dowels,


https://smile.amazon.com/ gp/product/ B0776MFRKZ


https://smile.amazon.com/ Wooden-Dowel-Rods-Unfinished-Craftparts/ dp/B00XQI2UW4


Screenshot of fabric cubes and dowels on Amazon


sixteen 2.8" wide square metal tins, a yard of clear vinyl,


https://smile.amazon.com/ Clear-Marine-Vinyl-Double-Polished/ dp/B08N1KLDHF


https://smile.amazon.com/ Silver-Square-Stainless-Labels-Container/ dp/B07BZ3VMLG


 screenshot of square tins and marine vinyl on Amazon


a large oval plastic tray, a 13-to-16" wide square plastic bin,


https://smile.amazon.com/ dp/ B009NVCQJU


https://smile.amazon.com/ Plastic-Storage-Modular- Stackable-Latching/dp/B071CWD2T5


screenshot of oval tray and rectangular bin on Amazon


a 16-section square tackle box, a folded towel, and assorted used clothing, fabric and paper (for labeling and decorating).


Sketches of the Starlight statue disassembled and reassembled. The four dowels join the top and bottom fabric cubes into a tall box, with vinyl wrapped around the dowels to make its walls clear. Inside the bottom cube, the 16 square tins sit on top of a folded towel to form compartments. Then the tall box is set on top of an upturned bin, and the tray with tape and small paper pieces is set on top of that. Clothes & wig are used to make it look like a creature.


Together, Starlight and the Stopwatch Time Machine may add another 30 lbs. (65- 30 = 35)


This leaves about 35 pounds for merchandise to sell, on a 300-lb capacity trailer.


These are all high estimates, and it is likely the weight will end up much lower than planned.



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