ALEX JANG 2018
s t r u
c
t u
r e
©Copyright 2018 by ALEX JANG
Design and typesetting by Alex Jang InDesignCC, IllustratorCC, PhotoshopCC
Printed and bound by IMAGINK San Francisco CA 2018
TEXT FACE Marr Sans and Publico issued by Schwartzo Inc.
PAPER Eggshell 80lbs text made by Neenah
This book was re-designed as a part of project for Academy of Art University 79 New Montgomery Street San Francisco CA, School of Graphic Design
GR601 Type Systems, Spring 2018 Instructor David Hake
contents
7
struc ture in f urniture
8
linea
10
a-chair
12
light light desk
14
tack end table
16
concrete table
18
poise
21
str uc t ure in architec t ure
22
parque kindergarten
24
lego house
26
multi-sport pavilion ufv
28
qatar national library
30
caixa ontinyent cultural center
32
daishan primary school
35
struc ture in body
36
close contact
40
the portraits of a dancer
44
ecce homo
50
studio index
54
bibliog raphy
structure | ‘strək(t)SHər | noun the arrangement of and relations between the parts or elements of something complex. • a building or other object constructed from several parts. • the quality of being organized.
verb [with object] construct or arrange according to a plan; give a pattern or organization to.
origin late Middle English (denoting the process of building): from Old French, or from Latin structura, from struere ‘to build’. The verb is rarely found before the 20th century.
structure i furniture
8
9 linea
date: 2017
Linea is a collection of minimalist and
All pieces are purposely designed to
type: rack
conceptual storage system inspired by
be used as both sculptural and indus-
size: 290 x 255 x 400 mm
the line and based on a rigid welded
tria lly pu rposef u l f u nc tiona l forms.
material: carbon steel wire
structure. This everyday object trans-
The pieces are made of powder-coated
designed by: Alvaro Hernandez, Spain
mits the attention paid to details and
steel members, welded together to
producer: Tre Product, Poland
extreme functionality letting the user
create a series of calculated and rigid
to be creative allowing surfaces to be
forms. The interpretation of Linea is
manifested from books, magazines and
ultimately left up to the user and their
little objects.
life style.
furniture
10 a-chair
date: 2016 type: chair size: 800 x 560 x 460 mm material: beechwood designed by: Thomas Feichtner, Austria producer: Schmidinger Mรถbelbau, Austria
11
The A- Cha ir is a n objec t of st r ik ing consistenc y: a line of squa red-of f wood ma kes its way a rou nd the sit ter, w ith a f lu id t ra nsit ion f rom leg to a r m a nd back rest. The clea r formal language here reduces sitting to the essence. In dialog w ith this a re the interlock ing wood connec t ions: they t u r n a st r uc t u ra l necessit y into a u nique aesthet ic feat u re a nd at the sa me t ime represent a tou r de force of t rad it iona l carpentry. Precisely this tension between functionality and ornamentation makes Feichtner’s A-Chair a formally singular creat ion. The A- Cha ir was made in cooperat ion w ith the Bildraum Bodensee and the Werkraum Bregenzerwald. It was f irst shown in April 2016 as part of the exhibition “Thomas Feichtner /Design Unplugged” in the Bildraum Bodensee.
furniture
12 light light desk
date: 2015
material: aluminum plywood panel, linoleum, led panel
type: desk
designed by: Torafu Architect, Japan
size: 688 x 533 x 1078 mm
producer: WOGG, Switzerland / Ishinomaki Studio, Japan
13
Torafu Architects’ Light Light Desk is a compact and function-
Headed by Koichi Suzung and Shinya Kamuro and based
ally minimal solution to reduced space living. The seamless
in Tok yo, Japa n, Light Light Desk was desig ned out of
transition between overhead lighting element and folding
collaboration with Swiss manufacturing company WOGG.
table surface is quite ingenious. Made from a light aluminum
The combining of forces was instigated by Pierre Keller of
f ra mework, w ith a n integ rated LED light pa nel, this piece
Swiss design school ECAL and Patrick Reymond, cofounder
sees a f lat-packed table, fold out into f u nc t iona l a table,
of Atelier OĂŻ, but asking the two to spend f ive days at each
with integrated lighting that allows for ease of storage and
others workshops. The resulting product showcases a beau-
transportation. Pushing the envelope of the expected, this
tiful celebration of Japanese design and Swiss engineering.
piece works to bring value to an otherwise cumbersome and
Undeniably a quite perfect match.
bulking furniture piece.
furniture
14 tack end table date: 2017 type: table size: 410 x 410 x 410 mm material: Hand-blackened steel designed by: Red Hook, Brooklyn producer: Uhuru studio, Brooklyn
15 What exactly is so interesting about minimalist shapes? Why should it be desirable to go back to simple geometric forms and archaic materials when we have the broadest variety of skills, technologies and matter at hand?
Reduc ing an objec t to it s purest for m of te n re veal s the ex te r nal a s much a s the piece it self and , in relief, connec t s u s to our s ur rounding e nv ironme nt .
Which mea ns that we not only express ou r taste by choosing a specif ic t y pe of inter ior, we a lso shine a new light on ourselves, our behavior and the cultural environment we live in. Tack End Tables are part of a whole series of objects made out of hand-blackened steel and created with Donald Judd’s art and Tadao Ando’s architecture in mind. But even as one piece, this tiny table, makes such a prominent entrance when placed in a living room, that the concepts underlying Uhuru’s design suddenly become more than obvious. The way this—in no way simple—geometric shape ref lects the light, changes its impression seen from different angles, from ever y perspective taken and at the same time makes any ornament around it seem more than tacky, is very much due to the consistent and forceful reduction of lines and use of material.
furniture
16
concrete table
date: 2012
material: formed concrete / aluminum
type: table
designed by: Os & Oos, Netherlands
size: ø 550 x 400 mm
producer: Os & Oos, Netherlands
17 The combination of contrasting materi-
Here weight is placed all to one side,
ality, the opposing weighted-ness of the
visually seeming to balance as if on
forms, and how they beautifully come
one leg. The table surface has been
together, is to be loud ly applauded.
made as light as possible to aid the
The base, made f rom well-f inished,
concept to help create a stable con-
formed concrete, is the stable for this
struction and f inished w ith a extra
piece. Combined then with the seem-
hard anodized f inish.
ingly f loating bent metal prof ile of the completing element of the table, sees the magic come to life.
furniture
18 poise
date: 2017 type: chair size: 610 x 840 mm material: polished blackened concrete, infused obsidian, blackened steel designed by: Brandon Mike, Texas producer: Brandon Mike, Texas
19 The Poise is a minimalist approach to the rocking lounge chair. Inspired by the pursuit of simplicity and the attainment of balance through both physical and visual means, it rests in a perpetual state of composed equilibrium.
Using a circular geometry and additional structural reinforcing, the designer was able to attain a constant state of equilibrium when the chair is at rest. This is a result of careful calculations and a harmonization of science and design, which in itself is an elegant process. Another complex layer of this furniture lies in its composite materials of obsidian and concrete. That alone is a bold composure that visually strengthens the object, which only relies on slim brackets for perfect stability.
Through weight, stabilit y is achieved, providing a relaxing and controlled motion while offering instinctive adjustability in resting angle.
furniture
photo credits linea
Tre product
10
8
a-chair
Bildraum Bodensee
12
light light desk
Torafu Architect
14
tack end table
Uhuru studio
16
concrete table
Os & Oos
18
poise
Brandon Mike
structure i architectur
22 parque kindergarten
date: 2008 – 2010 type: kindergarten built area: 1,400 sq.m location: Cascais, Portugal client: Parque project by: Promontorio Studio
23
Located in the beautiful town of Cascais, part of the Portu-
Breaking away from the conventional educational & civic
guese Riviera, is the modern and forward-thinking Parque
building identity, Parque Kindergarten offers a quality more
Kindergarten. The remarkable pre-school aims to create
akin to residential dwellings. White color is predominantly
bespoke environment for the students to prosper in the best
found throughout the school, resulting in a blank canvas
educational practices possible. What is the proposed solu-
for the proposed undertak ings. The variance in scale and
tion? As much f lexibility as possible, and so the school offers
height between volumes translates the differing nature of
a myriad of eclectic spaces for different activities. All inside
each activity well, from the liberty of the patios, the colorful
a minimalist form in striking bond brickwork.
art room, to the canteen, among others. The Euclidean honeycomb was the basis for the program, as polygons were arranged echoing an organic pattern in design. Amplitude was key, thus resulting in surprising spaces throughout.
architecture
24 lego house
date: 2014 – 2017 type: gallery built area: 12,000 sq.m location: Billund, Denmark client: Lego project by: Bark Ingels Group(BIG)
LEGO House was designed by Danish architecture f irm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), also k now as BIG. Located in the tow n where LEGO was invented, Billund, Denmark, LEGO House is a gallery and experience center for fans to explore the world of LEGO. Featuring room after room of play areas and various exhibits, LEGO house encourages creativity and amusement.
Despite the colorful surprises held w ithin, LEGO House features a sophisticated and minimalist exterior. The house features 21 overlapping blocks centered around a plaza. Adorned all in white bricks, the faรงade is clean but not over simplif ied. To me, it is very emotive, capturing the allure of stacking LEGO bricks together.
The connection between architecture and LEGO has long been enjoyed by design enthusiasts. Whether modeling famous buildings or personal creations, many have used these toys as a means for design expression.
architecture
26 multi-sport pavilion ufv
date: 2012 – 2016 type: sports center built area: 9,000 sq.m location: Pozuelo, Spain client: Francisco de Vitoria University project by: Alberto Campo Baeza
27
Representation in architecture is an aspect that ’s often overlooked, yet in this digital age we always perceive it as the initial portrayal of an architectural project through either photographs or renders. Perhaps due to the over-saturated amount of online images, we have stopped analyzing pictures—objects that can conjure a building’s beauty.
The Multi-sport Pavilion in Francisco de Vitoria Universit y (UFV), Madrid, was completed under the minimal design of A lberto Campo Baeza. Using translucency as a device for natural light, the Spanish architect also maximised the height limit to the building for a lightness that lifts the entire space. The visual effect is captured perfectly through the lens of photographer Javier Callejas. Not only is the space given more depth and spaciousness, but the simple interior also highlights supporting structures holding up the spanning roof. With an interplay of translucent and transparent glass, Baeza carefully manipulates spatial moments to create visual links with the campus.
architecture
28
qatar national library
date: 2012 – 2017 type: national library built area: 31,000 sq.m location: Doha, Qatar client: Qatar foundation project by: OMA
29 Qatar National Library contains Doha’s National Library, Public Library and University Library, and preserves the Heritage Collection, which consists of valuable texts and manuscripts related to the Arab-Islamic civilization.
The edges of the building are lifted from the ground creating three aisles which accommodate the book collection and, at the same time, enclose a central triangular space. The bookshelves are meant to be part of the building both in terms of materiality—they are made of the same white marble as the f loors—and of infrastructure—they incorporate artif icial lighting, ventilation, and the book return system.
A column-free bridge connects the library’s main aisles, allowing for a variety of routes throughout the building. The bridge is also a meeting space: it hosts media and study rooms, reading tables, exhibition displays, a circular conference table, and a large multipurpose auditorium, enclosed by a retractable curtain designed by Amsterdam studio InsideOutside, who were also responsible for the landscaping.
The library is part of the Education City, a new academic campus which hosts satellite campuses from leading universities and institutions from around the world.
architecture
30
date: 2007 – 2010 type: social project built area: 1855.83 sq.m location: Valencia, Espaùa client: Caixa Ontinyent project by: re_e Studio
caixa ontinyent cultural center
31 Located in the emblematic center of the Spanish town of Ontinyent, Caixa Ontinyent Cultural Center is the result of extraordinary work by architecture f irm Ramรณn Esteve Estudio. By placing the Cultural Center in a historic location, revitalizing one of the last noble homes on the Main Street, there is a respect of the local heritage and a new found energ y to one of the main accesses points to the old town.
The architects were also tasked with designing a building that hosts the cultural activity of Caixa Ontinyent, representing the entrepreneurial spirit of the entity. The building features as its key space a large hall of high altitude that serves as reception area, entrance to the assembly hall, and space for exhibitions and performances. From this hall, the different parts of the building can be viewed.
Inside the building you will notice well position and beautiful large central skylights that are a reinterpretation of the Hollows of the historic faรงade. These allow the whole interior to be extraordinarily luminous with all its white elements, in contrast with the vast marble f looring.
architecture
32 daishan primary school
date: completed in 2015 type: school built area: 4280 sq.m location: Nanjing, China client: Nanjing University project by: Atelier Zhouling
33 Located on a slope of Nanjing Daisha social housing area, the design of Daishan Primary School is characterized by a large elevation inside the site, making the environment very singular.
In this context, Zhouling Design Studio made the building’s form resemble a cube along with the slope, making the building appear lower, which helps create an intimate visual experience for the children and reduces the pressure of volume.
The architects also carefully considered the public space, so an 8-meter-wide north-south corridor runs through the building as an inner street-style pathway within the building. Inside, the teaching area is in the west and serving space in the east, and due to the highway in the east and north sides, the windows were minimized to create a quiet environment. However, to enhance the lighting, the architects inserted a variet y of large and small court yard bet ween rooms, constituting interactive small communities for teachers and students together.
Not only is this visually striking architectural design, but it’s beautifully considered and practical for those who will experience this school on a daily basis.
architecture
photo credits 22
parque kindergarten
Fernando Guerra
24
lego house
Kim Høltermand
26
multi-sport pavilion ufv
Javier Callejas
28
qatar national library
Iran Baan
30
caixa ontinyent cultural center
Xavier MollĂ
32
daishan primary school
HOU Bowen
structure i
36
close contact
project by: Norm Architects, Kinfolk & Sørensen Leather location: Copenhagen photography: Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen date: 2017
37 The correlation between microcosm and macrocosm might be one of the few scientif ic explorations which didn’t loose its mystical spirit even after being well understood by humans. It is still more than exciting that the geometric shapes which build our star system are the same ones that constitute most of the models on a particle level. This is true for many aspects outside the human body as well as inside of it.
But what’s it got to do with minimalism? Well, if the co-founder of Norm Architects and the creative director of Kinfolk team up with Sørensen Leather microcosm and macrocosm easily become the core issue of any creative concept. At Kinfolk Galler y in Copenhagen an exhibition displayed the beaut y of sk in against sk in, spheres against spheres and textures against textures.
It’s amazing to browse through the artworks of the exhibition as well as the images of the space itself. They conf irm that a true thing of beaut y is one that lasts and is appreciable in different ways.
body
38
39
The images highlight the contra st s and connec tion s bet wee n geometr ic and anthropomor phic shapes , the lat te r refe r r ing to the Greek word s anthropos and mor phe meaning human for m . Ele me nt s f undame ntal to our des ig n process .
—Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen
body
40 the portraits of a dancer
project by: Root x Paul Jung location: New York photography: Paul Jung date: 2017
41 Paul Jung is one of those exquisite artists and he published
This shoot adds a new tone to the photographer’s signature
a new collaboration with studio ROOT. ROOT is a photog-
minimalist approach. It adds a glance behind the scenes.
raphy studio in New York and thus an environment Jung is
While the portraits of dancers Samuel Lee Roberts in motion
naturally familiar with.
introduce the intensely emotional and sculptural aspect so deeply embedded into Jung’s work, he also chose to include silhouettes and minimalist details of body and support so crucial to his work.
body
42
43
A lot of times I think it ’s about reduc ing the ele me nt s to foc u s on the impor tant conte nt . In that way it ’s like sc ulpting, re mo v ing the ele me nt s laye r b y laye r, until we have really the esse ntial core.
—Paul Jung
body
44
ecce homo
project by: Evelyn Bencicova location: Slovakia photography: Evelyn Bencicova date: 2014
45 The somber hued photographs in Berlin-based artist Evelyn Bencicova’s series Ecce Homo feature faceless nudes arranged in immaculate compositions that range from purely sculptural to darkly dramatic.
The Latin phrase Ecce Homo translates to “behold the man” and is a common artistic motif most often associated w ith representations of the Passion of Christ. Religious references are found throughout this series, one example being the scene built upon tiled stairs which brings to mind Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam, and another composition which suggests the multi-armed Hindu goddess of time and death, Kali.
body
46 The way Bencicova hides the faces of her models from the camera’s eye can be seen as a reference to the indiscriminate nature of death, as the increasing destruction of the private self found in modern culture, and the dehumanization of women within the political struggle over the control of their bodies.
47
body
photo credits 36
close contact
Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen
40
the portraits of dancer
Paul Jung
44
ecce homo
Evelyn Bencicova
50 * tag by project name
concrete table qatar national library linea lego house close contact
ecce homo a-chair caixa ontinyent cultural center tack end table the portraits of a dancer poise
multi-sport pavilion ufv parque kindergarten
daishan primary school light light desk
51 studio index linea
tack end table
Tre produc t
Uhur u studio, Brookly n
Łagodna 6/10
185 Van Dyke St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
02-654 Warszawa, Poland
a-chair
concrete table
Schmidinge r Möbelbau
Os & O os Studio
Stangenach 146, 6867
Strijp T, building Zwaanstraat 1
Schwarzenberg, Austria
5651 CA Eindhoven, Netherlands
light light desk
poise
Ishinomak i Studios
Brandon Mike
〒986-2135 Miyagi-ken, Ishinomaki-shi,
Austin, Texas
Watanoha, Sakaeda, 渡波栄田164-3
furniture studio index
52 parque k indergar ten
qatar national librar y
P romontor io Studio
OM A
R. Fábrica de Material de Guerra 10,
Heer Bokelweg 149 3032 AD,
1950-022 Lisbon, Portugal
Rotterdam, Netherlands
lego house
caixa ontinyent cultural center
Bark Ingel s Group(BIG)
re _ e Studio
Kløverbladsgade 56, 2500 Valby,
Plaça Pere Borrego I Galindo 7.
Copenhagen, Denmark
46003 Valencia, Spain
multi-spor t pav ilion uf v
daishan primar y school
Albe r to Campo Baeza
Atelie r Zhouling
Almirante 4, 5º B 28004
Nanjing, China
Madrid, Spain
architecture
53 close contac t Nor m architec t s Snaregade 14 1205 Copenhagen, Denmark
the por traits of a dancer Root Studio 443 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011
ecce homo Evely n Be nc ico va Bratislava, Slovakia
e
body studio index
54 bibliography Marshall, Bronwyn. “Linea” Minimalissimo. 7 October 2015. Web. 24 April. 2018. https://minimalissimo.com/linea/ San Luis, Jorge. “A-Chair” Minimalissimo. 22 April 2016. Web. 24 April. 2018. https://minimalissimo.com/a-chair/ Marshall, Bronwyn. “Light Light Desk” Minimalissimo. 10 October 2017. Web. 24 April. 2018. https://minimalissimo.com/light-light-desk/ Ahrens, Jana. “Tack End Tables” Minimalissimo. 4 December 2017. Web. 24 April. 2018. https://minimalissimo.com/tack-end-tables/ Marshall, Bronwyn. “Concrete Colouring Table” Minimalissimo. 8 November 2017. Web. 24 April. 2018. https://minimalissimo.com/concrete-colouring-table/ Vo, Nhat. “Poise Chair” Minimalissimo. 2 December 2017. Web. 24 April. 2018. https://minimalissimo.com/poise-chair/ Andrade, Mateus. “Parque Kindergarten” Minimalissimo. 14 February 2018. Web. 28 April. 2018. https://minimalissimo.com/parque-kindergarten/ Japka, Jillian. “LEGO House” Minimalissimo. 30 November 2017. Web. 28 April. 2018. https://minimalissimo.com/lego-house/ Vo, Nhat. “Multi-sport Pavilion UFV” Minimalissimo. 26 August 2017. Web. 28 April. 2018. https://minimalissimo.com/multi-sport-pavilion-ufv/ Bann, Iwan. “Qatar National Library” OMA. 2017. Web. 28 April. 2018. http://oma.eu/projects/qatar-national-library
55 San Luis, Jorge. “Caixa Ontinyent Cultural Centre” Minimalissimo. 14 October 2016. Web. 28 April. 2018. https://minimalissimo.com/caixa-ontinyent-culural-centre/ San Luis, Jorge. “Daishan Primary School” Minimalissimo. 13 March 2017. Web. 28 April. 2018. https://minimalissimo.com/daishan-primary-school/ Ahrens, Jana. “Close Contact” Minimalissimo. 20 November 2017. Web. 4 May. 2018. https://minimalissimo.com/close-contact/ Ahrens, Jana. “Root x Paul Jung” Minimalissimo. 20 February 2017. Web. 4 May. 2018. https://minimalissimo.com/root-x-paul-jung/ Fernandez, Cassady. “The eye of the beholder: Ecce Homo by Evelyn Bencicova” Knstrct. 16 June 2014. Web. 4 May. 2018. http://www.knstrct.com/art-blog/2014/6/13/evelyn-bencicovas-ecce-homo-collection
bibliog raphy
All good art is abstract in its structure. —Paul Strand
