ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO: EARTH S1, 2016 SEMESTER BOOK CHEN CHAOMING
(769691) Sarah Kahn + Studio 01
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CONTENTS 1.0 THREE RELATIONSHIP 1.1 Point/Line/Plane 1.2 Frame & Infill 1.3 Mass
2.0 HERRING ISLAND 2.1 Site Analysis 2.2 Precedent 2.3 Conceptacle 2.4 Final Design Drawing 2.5 Final Design Model
3.0 REFLECTION 4.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY
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POINT / LINE / PLANE
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FRAME & INFILL
1.0 THREE RELATIONSHIPS MASS In the first phase of the semester, three preliminary design exercises were conducted for two weeks each, with three design tectonics as theme: “Point, Line and Plane”, “Frame and Infill” and “Mass”. Through the practice of model making and sketching skills, the tectonics formed the basis for the architectural project in the second half of the semester.
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Farnsworth House - Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
1.1 POINT / LINE / PLANE As a foundation element, point owns its basics in width and length. Via the change on size and direction, point stretched into lines and moreover, plane is created. The simplicity of this inter-related tectonic guided architecture into a monotonous but elegant form. The Farnsworth house demonstrated a clear example of composing horizontal and vertical elements to form a habitable structure. Besides, the design attempted to bring human, house and nature together into a higher unity which intrigued me a lot.
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Design Concept In my view, triangle is a sort of geometry represents the progression from point to line until plane very well. Separating into two parts, the outdoor area is extruded from triangular curves that partially covered by irregular triangular planes. The other part of model is ‘pyramid’ shape shelter with the sloping, triangular side surface being folded outwards to form platforms for people to rest. Overall look into the model, continuity of the central tectonic is achieved by the repeated implantation of triangular-based elements.
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House NA - Sou Fujimoto
1.2 FRAME & INFILL From a common perspective, frame conventionally functioned as a series of supporting skeleton which represents a sense of solidity. Infill on the other hand, furnished platforms between frames that is more dynamic. Materiality usually plays an important role in differentiating frame and infill through the aesthetic qualities. Not only simply covered and connected throughout structure, the hierarchy created by different elevated height of infill panels also brings a sense of fluid as shown in the example of House NA. Besides the innovation of making the entire house transparent, the idea of not hermetically isolated space impressed me deeply.
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Design Concept To explore the structure stands above ground, the model is the composition of timber frame with both opaque and semi-transparent infills. Instead of establishing cubes from the ground, the model consists of varying sizes of blocks that elevated to different heights to create the hierarchies between the blocks. Stairs and steps are added to allow access from ground level as well as crossing between these cubes. Horizontal square infills occurred on the top and bottom of each blocks, while the triangular infill occupied half of each block’s facade vertically. As a continuous system from the top panel along to the sides, varying number of folds occurred regrading to the exercise brief. Since the structure is focusing on the views out of it, visitors are able to enjoy the scenery when standing on any platform and experiencing more interesting viewport that blocking by the triangular infills as well as few solid cubes hanging in the air. Exploded Image
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Rock Gym for Polur - New Wave Architecture
1.3 MASS Aiming to create space carved out of solid ground, the manipulation of excavated volume is crucial to be explored. Nowadays, large, masonry blocks are built everywhere. The way to avoid monotonous or dull regularity is to create transition experience between light and dark. Through the mass exercise, I really enjoyed the experience of using charcoal to create the extraordinary atmosphere by manipulating the amount of light penetrates through the shafts. The sense of solidity that mass represents coordinated well with different intensity of light as well as enhancing the sharp contrast between.
Novartis Office Building - Alejandro Aravena team
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Collage Two approaches of collage have been tried to reconfigure the mass drawing. The exercise helps me to visualize the underground section becoming three-dimensional as well as arousing more possibilities of underground space design.
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2.0 HERRING ISLAND. SOMETHING LIKE A PAVILION
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Circulation By studying the flow of visitors, the human path usually passed through those existing attractions as well as the gallery and landing point.
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Vegetation The vegetation on the island comprised of varying types and sizes which are native species. It can be utilize to block the views from passengers that increase the level of secrecy, create the effect of light and dark to the design as well as function as natural barrier to reduce the noise level.
Noise Analysis Various sounds come from far or near of surrounding lands as well as the island itself, such as the visitors noise around the existing attractions.
View Analysis
2.1 SITE ANALYSIS
The analysis includes both the views from surrounding lands and views off the islands, it is observed that majority of places near the island boundary are visible that is not suitable for hiding.
Hence through the site analysis, the site is chosen to locate at the relatively flat place shown in the top right picture, aimed to keep low possibility of disturbance with appropriate shading around.
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2.2 PRECEDENT
Romanian Pavilion - arcsett
The Romanian pavilion expresses a continuous and spiral sense to viewers and inspired me on creating a place with relatively long distance for visitors to explore the secret through the journey while they passed through, rather than simply formed cubic volume space for hiding secret.
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2.3 CONCEPTACLE Thinking of creating structure consists of relationship between the ground surface, below ground and above ground, three conceptacles are formed according to my previous exercises through this semester, as well as the design precedent mentioned above. - Idea of ‘folding’ architecture (P/L/P) - Manipulating light penetration through shafts (Mass) - Elevated platform (Frame & Infill)
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2.4 FINAL DESIGN DRAWINGS As to make my design pavilion emerged from the natural topography of my chosen site, but still be harmonious with the surrounding landscape, a fluid, dynamic conformation dawned on my mind. Based on the design concept, i started to generate the digital model on Rhino.
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West Elevation 32
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1 - Small store for internal use 2 - Lockable store with direct external access 3 - Room for recording listened to 4 - Technical Room 5 - Tunnels (secret spaces for children)
Plan / Elevation
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Rendered View (from top left to bottom right: Entrance / Underground Tunnel / External Store / Recording Room)
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2.5 FINAL DESIGN MODEL According to the exact measurement took from the digital model, I further materialized my design in 1:100 scale presentation model with 1mm screen board to represent white concrete, as well as 3mm mdf for the site contour.
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PERSPECTIVE Entrance (left) Underground Spce (right)
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Elevated Spce (left) Exit (right)
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A PLACE FOR KEEPING SECRET
“.. A secret cannot be known to only one person A secret is the furthest distance between two” - Alex Selenitsch
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3.0 REFLECTION
While standing on the ending point and looking back the entire studio works through this semester, I become aware of how fascinating the experience that I have gained. I really appreciated that this is a well-organized subject with regard to its teaching contents, structure as well as overall management. The studies of three architecture tectonics are very skillful and helpful to me. Those three exercises became a guidance leading me to the perplexed project through breaking it down to smaller pieces, which assisted me to have better understanding of the spatial composition and relationship between three ground-related zones. Besides the improvement in my architectonic knowledge, the enrichment of both my digital and physical model making skills is in evidence as well. Secondly, the research exercise for blog was another helpful lesson in my design process. Through searching for various precedents and paying more attention in architecture examples occurred around local sources, I could absorb the quintessence from them by analyzing the key concept behind which inspired me a lot in my design project. It is also a good chance for practicing critical thinking as I was not only studying the positive aspect from precedent, but also reminding me to avoid cons. The final project was like an examination to my previous learning experience as well as harder challenge to explore such complex design concept. But the knowledge gained before was really beneficial to me and assisted me overcomes many difficulties during my design process. And also, through the practice along the whole semester, my awareness of time management is promoted a lot as I understand the rational allocation of time in every design phase and allowing sufficient time for the final refinement before deadline is truly essential to a successful design project. Last but not least, I quite enjoyed the studio time as it was not only a lesson on every Wednesday morning, but also a good chance to share your idea and gain feedback around a group of mates. I realized that as an architect, the way of communicating with ‘client’ also is influential to your design outcomes. The weakness of my oral presentation skill was found and I will keep practicing and enhancing it.
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4.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Arcsett, 2015, Romanian Pavilion, Milano EXPO, viewed June 2016, <http://fabriciomora.tumblr.com/post/86973707258/pavilionul-romanieiexpo-2015-milano> Iwan Baan, 2012, House NA, photograph, Archdaily, viewed June 2016, <http://www.archdaily.com/230533/house-na-sou-fujimotoarchitects> Jack Boucher, 1971, Edith Farnsworth House, north elevation, Library of Congress, viewed June 2016, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:Mies_van_der_Rohe_photo_Farnsworth_House_Plano_USA_9.jpg> New Wave Architecture, 2014, Rock Gym for Polur, Archdaily, viewed June 2016, < http://www.archdaily.com/470579/new-wavearchitecture-designs-rock-gym-for-polur> All other photographs, drawings and renders are finished by Chen Chaoming.
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