In-Progress Learning Portfolio Week 14 ARCH 20

In-Progress Learning Portfolio ARCH 20 Spring 2016 Ariella Elia

Table of Contents…

Dog House 1 & 2 – Pages 5 – 9

Interior Spatial Studies – Pages 10 – 15

Intersect & Follow Me – Pages 17 - 20

Piazza del Campidoglio – Pages 21 - 23

Malevich Inspired Construction – Pages 24 – 28

Tables of Contents Cont…

Wall Studies – Pages 29 – 34

Geometry of Space Studies – Pages 36 - 42

Paper Airplane Flotilla – Pages 43 – 48

Lattice Pavilion – Pages 49 - 55

Pavilion with Folded Canopy – Pages 56 - 59

Table of Contents…

Sandbox Tool and Storyboard – Pages 60 – 63

Home Part One: Documenting Existing Conditions – Pages 64 - 69

Home Part Two: Space Planning Studies and Proposal – Pages 70 – 78

Strengths: Remembering to use simple tools such as “push/pull”, “move” etc. to make accurate measurements. Using the Dummie book and video tutorials to create detailed windows and gabled roof with eaves. Using “components” to add entourage and doors.

Weaknesses: Not grouping things properly and then everything gets deleted!

Most measurements are not accurate.

Two-Point Perspective

Strengths: Creating detailed windows and roofs are too much fun! I think I went a little too window-happy on this mansion.

Weaknesses: Becoming a bit over zealous by trying to create columns with a balcony (which was initially supposed to be an awning). This wasn’t executed properly, but it displays my effort.

Vignette

Right View Opportunities: Practice using the measuring tools to make my designs more accurate.

Threats: Getting caught up in the little details as time flies by.

Strengths: Creating basic forms such as cubes and turning them into rooms with accurate measurements. Duplicating the rooms rather than creating each from scratch. Creating window cut outs have become easier as well. Creating floor patterns was fun! I used the offset tool to create more intricate floor patterns. Lastly, I used the animation tool to create scenes!

Weaknesses: My stubbornness. I really liked the idea of hexagon windows, however once the shadow tool was turned on, there wasn’t much light coming into the room. I tried to make it work by painting the colors in light/bright tones with an accented wall. Still didn’t seem to have the effect I was striving for, but I just proceeded with the rooms.

Opportunities: Adding interior furnishings and exterior landscape for a more interesting presentation. However, my computer’s processor has been extremely slow lately, therefore disabling me to add such entourage.

Threats: Computer’s processor is extremely slow. It is frustrating trying to add shadows and entourage into my creations because everything glitches and sometimes computer shuts down automatically.

Vignette Peach room with fun floor design. I tried to add the couch and more furnishings, however processor was too slow.

Yellow room with a traditional style hardwood floor. I semi-regret the size of the windows because there’s not enough light coming into the rooms. Not being able to see the colors in the models is disheartening because all of the colors are complementary and joyous.

Rapid Visualization: In class I learned about shadow and shade. Drawing cubes and applying shadow and shade logically as if the sun was actually hitting the object.

This helped me understand how the shadow tool actually works in Sketchup.

Strengths: Creating this mosque-inspired building was quite simple. I turned the middle building into a group, then the two outer buildings into components so they will share the exact same characteristics.

Vignette Weaknesses: After creating this building, I’ve realized that it’s not as complex as I could’ve made it. My mind gets stuck on one idea and then fails to think outside the box.

Top View Opportunities: Research all sorts of buildings and take notes on certain details to help me become more creative.

Side View Threats: Using the same methods in designing buildings; not venturing outside the comfort zone.

Step-by-step Animation

Two Point Perspective Strengths: I am developing projects much faster and creating hypotheses if instructions are unclear.

Weaknesses: I didn’t notice many weaknesses during this project. If instructions were unclear, I didn’t let that set me back and would persevere until project was complete.

Top View Opportunities: Paying more attention in class because I didn’t see which circle we deleted. From this picture, you can tell that the circle that connects with the star is huge!

Threats: Not using my time efficiently. I felt that since this project came with a set of instructions, that it would be easier and faster. That was not the case! This project still took a lot of time.

Top View Strengths: The Malevich project was by far the most challenging project thus far!

I felt that the abstract lithograph helped me to be more creative. I’ve pushed myself to look at the lithograph to see what I can add to balance out the initial design, so I created an abstract fountain. Also, I think I have fallen in love with layers and grouping objects. Layers certainly helped me “dissect” any problems that I encountered when trying to connect the pieces.

Weakness: Becoming frustrated with the awkward geometry!

Opportunities: The most frustrating part of this project was the disoriented geometry. Lines wouldn’t be plush to the surface and therefore I had to figure out ways to get lines to adhere to the correct surfaces. I would get a bit stressed out because of this, but I have to remind myself to breathe, move onto something else, and then come back to the problem.

Threats: Similar to my weaknesses. Yet altogether, I feel very proud of what I’ve created and finally pushing myself a bit to create more objects from the lithograph.

Strengths: Using rapid visualization before creating the walls on Sketchup was a good way to start. The rapid visualization helped me be more creative in designing the different types of walls. However, Sketchup made it more fun when adding color and texture.

Weakness: Creating nice window openings was a bit of a challenge on the curved walls, but I tried my best with different techniques.

Opportunities: Putting more thought into the rapid visualization.

Threats: Becoming complacent. I honestly felt that we digressed, especially going from the Malevich lithograph, but I still tried to put my best effort into the project.

I really enjoyed making glass walls. This one in particular reminds me of a glass case that you’d see at the zoo. Concrete walls and the glass for zoo guests to peer through.

Bird’s eye view of plan. I love all of the different shadows that are being cast by the different shaped walls.

Here are a few examples of my rapid visualization. After uploading these, I realize that you cannot see what is written on the paper. Above the drawings, I also wrote down as to which texture, color, and material I would like to apply to the walls.

Strengths: After missing a few classes, I was worried about falling behind and not being able to create an intricate design. However, I believe this building says otherwise. My main focus was creating spiral staircases and having a building that would showcase the stairs in a contemporary style. It was challenging and tedious, but I just had to remind myself to breathe and drink coffee.

Weakness: Although the final product of this contemporary building of spiral staircases looks pretty cool, the design itself does not make sense. My intentions for this design was to create a vertical maze; reminding me of a jungle gym but one that everyone (children and adults) could enjoy. However, some staircases were not connecting to the floor. I was certainly trying to connect the staircases, but it just wouldn’t work. This is something that I’d like to learn how to do so I can feel that it’s truly completed.

Opportunities: I feel that if I had managed my time better, this would be a really cool design! This design does not feel finished because my creative person inside of me is squirming around and saying, “there’s still so much to do!”. I would’ve liked to create more intricate staircases with guard rails and perhaps add more entourage to the scene.

Threats: With this particular project, I consider lack of time management to be my main threat. There is a lot of potential for this design and I could’ve done so much more with it! However, I am still pleased with how it turned out. Mindful note: I should use my agenda more often.

Top View I absolutely love the shadows that are being cast! The actual building from the bird’s eye view looks funky, but those shadows are so cool!

Vignette

This vignette shows how massive this structure really is! You can also see the winding staircases leading up (but no where to go) and could most definitely be a safety hazard. The design intention was there, but unfortunately not executed.

However, I do feel passionate about this particular design, so I think I will continue to work on it during any “down-time� I might have in the future.

From Top Left to Bottom Right: Process of making paper plane. Continue to next page‌

From Top Left to Bottom Right: Process of creating flotilla of planes complete.

Strengths: Creating this flotilla of planes were quite simple than what I had imagined. After duplicating the planes, I decided it would be best to put them all into separate “layers� so I can keep everything organized. Also, using the sandbox tool was fun and refreshing to learn something new.

Weakness: Looking back, I should’ve made the land more expansive so when taking the screen shots, you won’t see the two different spaces. I tried to scale the land to a larger size, however the trees would not move with the land. Let’s be real: it took a long time to place those trees and I did not want to move them all over again.

Opportunities: I could’ve taken more time to add a camp site and people watching the planes fly above them. I think that would’ve been a cool little story line!

Threats: I think I should’ve been more mindful of the scale of the land. I think if the land was more expansive, I could’ve gotten better screen shots and perhaps look more realistic.

Strengths: The lattice pavilion project was easier to create than expected. When this project was first presented to the class, it seemed very daunting. However, after learning that making these lattices were just a matter of duplicating and rotating, I was able to create a peaceful park with confidence.

Here is a parallel perspective, left view, of my lattice park. The materials, colors, and foliage used in the design creates a peaceful and welcoming park. Materials: natural stone; Colors: lattices painted in two different browns giving it more dimension; Foliage: just a few trees around the park provides shadow and they are strategically placed near the corners to give more intimate spaces. I also used two different plants that give color and variation.

I especially love lavender plants, just a nice pop of purple to brighten one’s day.

Weakness: Falling into the trap that this project was too easy, so I procrastinated!

Although down to the wire, I did not want to do a half – you know what – job.

Once again, I didn’t manage my time, but I’m still proud of the work I’ve created.

Opportunities: Perhaps adding railings and barriers to the stairs and ramp might give this a more realistic look. If I were to create railings, I would be practicing the “follow me� tool, which would be beneficial! However, time is of the essence (which is ultimately my fault!).

Threats: I know that I can become very lazy and therefore procrastinating my projects and lacking in self-motivation. However, once I do come up with a good idea for our weekly projects, I become excited and therefore motivated.

When first creating the lattice pavilion, it was kind of boring, but then once I decided that I wanted to create a little park I became motivated again.

This vignette shows the maze-like lattice creating intimate and open areas. I added a little chess board on the last level of the park so it’s more of a private, quiet and shady area for people to play and concentrate. These three students decided to leave that area because the elder gentlemen are getting into an argument over their chess game.

This vignette shows how this park can be both an intimate and open area. There are people walking around and exploring the park, sitting down while reading a book in a shady area, and using more intimate areas to converse. Altogether, I love this little park. You can create all sorts of interesting areas with these lattices.

Strengths: Creating this folded canopy was much more difficult than expected! Quite the opposite from the lattices. Before coming up with the idea of a concert venue, I was trying to create a pavilion similar to what we’ve made in class. However, it was NOT turning out as I imagined. I was feeling defeated, however as I was listening to music (a live version of one of my favorite bands) it hit me! Make a venue! This venue has a very dramatic ceiling which I can imagine makes the acoustics sound amazing (hopefully).

Weakness: Let’s be real: If this were a real venue, that roof would be collapsing!

Because the complexity of the folding and how big this piece is, my coprocessor was slowing down big time! I wasn’t really able to create more of a realistic roof that had support beams. However, aesthetically, it looks nice!

Opportunities: Practicing patience and creating support beams for the roof would be an opportunity. Perhaps adding more detail such as stage lights and perhaps a backstage would be fun!

Threats: Allowing my lack of patience get the best of me. I’m able to acknowledge this part of my personality but it seems like I’m having a hard time changing! At this point, I’d like to blame my short-circuit cultures of Italian and Puerto Rican. That excuse will get me through life, right? Only joking!

If you’re not impressed with my venue, I hope you have the pleasure of having Ronald McDonald waiving “hello” to you!

For this project, I created a fully inclusive, accessible, engaging, and inspirational park. I would like to acknowledge my classmate Ayse Kozaci for inspiring me create this park with her “Buddy Light� park! We can all learn from one another.

After visiting many parks through out her life, Amy felt discouraged because they weren’t able to accommodate her special needs. Until one day her friend Eddie surprised her by bringing her to an accessible and all inclusive park. Amy was delighted that she was finally able to take part in enjoying a beautiful park that did not disable her!

Amy and Eddie began to explore the four part park. First stop was the interactive aquarium. The walls of the aquarium was perfect height so she was able to view the fish and touch the water. She realized that this would also be beneficial to blind individuals, as they would be able to touch the water and heighten their senses.

Second part was a lovely quiet area for all people to enjoy. Plenty of park benches and many trees to cast shadow. There were open areas under trees for people in wheelchairs to sit.

Amy also noticed a sweet fragrance in the air from the lilac and jasmine flowers everywhere. She could only imagine how this would delight blind individuals.

As Amy continued her exploration of this park, she encountered a physical therapy area for individuals in wheelchairs. She was ecstatic to know that she and others like her would be able to build muscle strength in their arms and practice walking!

Lastly, Amy found a charming music area which was completely accessible for individuals in wheelchairs. By observation, she noticed blind individuals playing the instruments and saw the joy the music brought to their face.

Finally, Amy and others with special needs were included in society and were able to enjoy the little things in life!

Strengths: This was an incredibly difficult, frustrating, and tedious project. However, it is one of the most rewarding projects so far! As you can see, there are some fine details that I couldn’t seem to overcome – especially the profile lines. My main strength though out this project was my perseverance, for without it I would’ve thrown my computer out the window.

Weakness: I couldn’t figure out how to use the “stamp” tool. I wanted to stamp the pathway into the ground so it would create a border for blind individuals to guide their canes to. I went on Youtube to figure out how to stamp, but my “hypotheses” still failed. I realized time was flying by, so I just proceeded without the stamped pathway.

Opportunities: Trying more methods to get the stamp tool down! Perhaps we can go over this in class again? Also, I would like to point out that Ayse’s “Buddy Light” project inspired me to create a park like this. I absolutely love how the “Buddy Light” helps individuals overcome loneliness and therefore possibly overcoming depression. It made me think about individuals who have special needs but are not accommodated in everyday life and more specifically parks and recreation areas. I did some research on parks that are accommodating and inspiring for people with special needs and created my own park that incorporated engaging activities.

Threats: I actually had many more ideas that I wanted to incorporate into the park, however my skill level with Sketchup isn’t quite there yet! However, I still continued to push myself even though creating the paths onto the landscape was a pain in the rear!

Strengths: This project is hands-down my favorite one thus far! Measuring out the apartment was a bit of a challenge, especially when heavy pieces of furniture were in the way. Measuring out the pieces of furniture was quite fun, actually, and I know that these measurements will come in handy when I finally do renovate the apartment. Once obtaining the measurements, it was quite easy to create the apartment on Sketchup.

Instead of creating a single rectangle and separating the rooms, I created each room individually and then put them together! It was so much easier that way and turned out to be more accurate!

Weakness: Getting caught up in the details! I wanted to add more details into the kitchen, but then I realized that I spent an hour alone on the kitchen. On the contrary, I feel that I should’ve put more detail into making doors for the closets and actual windows instead of cut outs in the wall! Also, I just remembered that I forgot to do a “section” cut. Lastly, finishing it on a Wednesday night when it was due Monday.

Opportunities: This project gave me the opportunity to really look and assess my living space. It allowed me to think about better arrangements of furniture and fixtures; it reminded me that I have to de-clutter the apartment (again); and I had a spark of excitement to turn this apartment into a place that reflects my personality.

Top perspective view of bathroom. Measurements of the tub are a bit off, as it looks so narrow. My bathroom is all white and I find it so boring! The only nice detail in the bathroom is the subway tile (honeycomb tile isn’t actually in there).

Interior view of closet. I couldn’t get that great of a picture because of the walls in the way (would section cutting be used in this scenario?). However I loved adding the little details of the rod, shelf, dresser, and filing cabinet.

INSPIRATION

• Charles and Ray Eames • Mid-century / retro décor • 1940s / 1950s tile work in kitchen and bathroom

BEFORE

AFTER

Strengths: As I have interest in interior design, I was ready to re-arrange and decorate my apartment. My inspirations consist of the 1940s – 1950s era’s design and dÊcor; artist and architect Ray and Charles Eames; and the music to which I listen. Adding these colors, textures, and new pieces of furniture and fixtures turn my apartment into a funky, retro, and entertaining living space.

My inspiration for the kitchen renovation came from the style of the 1940’s / 1950’s. I used a pastel color theme as to brighten up the space. I love how the kitchen appliances were colored in the 1940s; green and pastel yellow were very popular.

In contrast to this retro kitchen, I’ve added a poster of my favorite Swedish band called ‘Avatar’. This gives a more personalized look and I love the contrast of colors and era.

Here is a little walk-through of the kitchen. It’s quite small, but plenty of cabinetry and storage. I also have my little desk / table sitting next to the window. Since there isn’t much room, I am not able to move the pieces around, but I did add some funky chairs!

For my bathroom, I decided to go on the complete opposite spectrum of pastel and light colors. I knew that at some point, I was going to add the black and white checkered floor. The bathroom was the perfect space for this flooring. I then added black tile work to give it a more 1940s feel and then added the green tub, toilet, and sink. I know that I could never renovate my bathroom like this (as I’m renting), however I would love to have a green bathroom one day. A girl can dream!

Here is a walk-through of my apartment from exiting the kitchen: enter the hallway and to the left you have my awesomely-green bathroom, and to the right is my walk-in closet. There wasn’t much I could do with the placement of the cabinets in the closet, so I left them alone. However, I did move the small night stand into the closet and added a shoe rack.

My bedroom furniture is arranged to open the area. I’ve placed the desk right in front of the window to get the natural light (not shown).

My inspiration for the décor comes from the mid-century and Ray and Charles Eames. Once again, I’m using more of a soft color palette mixed with cool and warm colors. It feels very relaxing and open in the bedroom.

Here is a walk-through of the bedroom. Upon entering the bedroom from the hallway, you’re able to see the desk and a peek of the bed. Since there is no actual door to this room, having the desk be the first thing you see rather than the bed, it creates a sense of privacy.