DARGUI N FORTU NA B. Arch Boston Architectural College
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Throughout my life, everything has led me to architecture
in some way or another. My love for people, nature and life itself is in fact the result of my life journey. This journey, I believe shaped and molded my character to bring the best out of me so that I can help others in the process. I think that architecture is more than just designing spaces but a way of living and evolving as we move forward.
As part of my journey, I have come to understand that there
is not end to it and that I am here to learn as much as time can let me. I have overcome so much and still there is so much more to overcome and I have found myself enjoying the uncertainty of the unknown. The process of becoming and transforming things into something better is just an intrinsic part of me and it has enriched my way of thinking and my way of living. Coming from a developing country and giving my first steps into the architectonic field in the Dominican Republic built the foundations of a better me as a person and as a designer. The contrast between the United States and the Dominican Republic taught me that in order for anything to become great, it requires that all of the parts work together as one. I am just a student that wants to contribute into making this world a better
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place to be.
“I believe that architects are given a gift of second sight and when we see something that others can't, we should act, and we shouldn't wait�. -Samuel Mockbee
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Sailing Center & Ferry Terminal 65
Project Statement: B-1 Studio work has progressed in several different ways. We documented and diagramed ideas in a canonical piece of architecture then projected those ideas into a site to reinforce understanding. Our work has explored ideas and characteristics of the urban environment, through an experiential approach. Work has also been supplemented with written statements and reflections. We will continue to sensitize ourselves to the act of looking and analysis. Remember, architecture is the context for human occupation and is influential on experience & meaning. The goals for the next several weeks are to develop your sensitivities in observation, methodologies in analysis, formulation of conclusions.
Main site Visual intersection of two Paths
While drawing over photos, interesting information was gathered by only focusing at the relationships of the skyline and the buildings. That became the main interest and several factors were discovered.
Site Skyline & Approach
Drawings photos and plans First Iteration
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Projection of the 360째 views from a specific spot on the site on top of a ground circle
360째 skyline view in relationship with the ground and the site
Extrusion of those views within a cube and vanishing towards the viewer from the site
Drawings Explorations
360째 site Skyline figure ground
Skyline figure extruded onto a cube
Resulting Form from analysis
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Iterative Process During the iterative process and while looking at the relationships of the skyline in plan and elevation, it was discovered that there are three different urban forces that merge together within the site. The North End, The Bullfinch Triangle and Charlestown are the three main neighborhoods that have immediate access to the site and they also define the views of the surroundings in different ways. This brought the conclusions that the site contemplates connections of those different factors with themselves and with the Atlantic Ocean. Visual and Physical Connections became he main concept and from there those connections started to be represented into a form that could produce balance and interconnections with all of the surroundings views.
Diagrams Iterations
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Access to the Site showing voids that affect the design
Buildings in Relationship to the Site as a projected skyline that creates a form
Diagram Iterations
Amount of views from the site filtered through existing surroundings
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Concept Statement After studying all of the different visual and physical factors of the site and its implications it was concluded that, the site discovers a visual and physical connection of the north end, the bullfinch triangle and Charlestown with the Atlantic ocean. a connection of every view with a point within the space of the site that will integrate all of them into one composition that belongs to this 3 dimensional skyline.
Connections
Integration of Site with Form
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Resulting Form from site analysis that relates to the context’s skyline and views
Site + Concept = Form
Hand Drawn at 1/32”=1’-0” rendered in Photoshop
Diagrams Iterations
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Concept + Models Sketch models under different light conditions that define the different concepts discovered through the site analysis and consider certain aspects of the program for the Ferry Terminal and the Sailing center. The ideas developed from the site analysis were going to be integrated with the 3 Dimensional form and instead of blending concepts with forms on a literal way it was done on a more abstract and creative path. Each model describes the connection of every surrounding area with the site and with the views that are part of the city while integrating and bringing the Atlantic ocean towards the site as one. Two Models were picked as the most related to the idea of views and site context as inspiration MI7 & MI8
MI7 Model Iterations
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MI1
MI2
MI3
MI8
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Solar Panels Both Sides Facing towards the Sky and the Bullfinch Triangle
Digital Screen for Public Entertainment Facing the Charlestown Bridge and the TD Garden View
Public tennis court for the North End repositioning existing tennis court which will allow them to be connected to the water and be protected by a green roof while playing.
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Functionality Solar Panel to Produce clean Energy Theater & Digital Screen Facing the TD Garden and Bullfinch Triangle as Entertainment Lobby, Gathering areas + Fitness Center Restaurants, Shops & Open Garden Space for the North End
Axon Drawn on mylar and overlaid in Photoshop
Model made with Museum board and hand cut Plexiglas spray painted showing program and site integration
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Restaurant -Bars 2,000 Square Feet
Theater + Shops 3,000 Square Feet
Ferry Terminal & Fitness Center 12,000 Square Feet
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Model overlaid onto goggle earth site view and lines projecting skyline onto site.
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Hand Drawn at 1/32”=1’-0”
Axon Hand Drawn at 1/32”=1’-0”
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Access Diagram
Hand Drawn on mylar at 1/32”=1’-0” rendered in Photoshop
Hand Drawn on mylar at 1/32”=1’-0” rendered in Photoshop
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B-2 Studio Fall 2013 Inst. William Nolan
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Project 0 Assembly Apparatus
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Project Statement: B-2 Studio work started with the studies of several detail to discover three main concepts within them. 1) Materiality, 2) Scale and 3) a tectonic strategy, all of which would help me to design an apparatus directly related with the human body. After I studied the different details, I decided to focus on two of them to understand their intrinsic strategies and meanings. The first detail (#1) was based on the idea of rotation from an axis point by locking two main components pierced by a third one on a circular shape. This would allow the two main components to move from that point in relationship with each other.
Rotating 3d exploration
The second detail was based on a composition of interlocking pieces that connected verticals and horizontals planes but also parallel planes together by using a third element in between them.
Detail #1: Three forms come together stacked on to of each other to rotate and shift position in relationship with each other from within axis point created
I then created a hibrid of both of those opposing ideas, rotation movement and locking elements to create a composition with spaces to see the sky and to smoke as a way of resting.
Model Iterations of Locking and rotating tectonic ideas
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by piercing the main 2 components with the third one. Locking 3d exploration
Models describing the system functionality while adapting it to different scales and situations
Model describing a path for human occupation
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The Iterative Process After working with both of my details and their tectonic implications, I combined them in order to create variety and spaces for human occupation. It was a critical decision that allowed me to break away from cubic and repetitive monotony in my design. Also I learned how to use those rotating and locking elements to create an apparatus that could be built in the real world by following the steps of how to join the pieces together. The materiality and the scale of each of the components changed subtilely to allow these different spatial and constructional implications to take place. Concept: My apparatus is assembled by elements that interlock but rotate in relationship with each other from different axis points that allows them to create spaces for human occupation.
Main Locking element from detail #2
Model Iterations
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Detail # 2 Concept: There is an Interlocking and Wrapping situation that allows the parts to come together and create balance. This composition describes the intrinsic relationship between the parts interlocked and the space that they describe.
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Smocking Space
Axon
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Sunset View Space
Main Open Space
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Plan B
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Final analysis: As a result of all of my explorations I discovered how my apparatus and its parts come together and how each small piece is necessary to form the entire composition. I also learned that all of this elements are by default spatial and they create, describe and imply space as an overall condition. Ultimately, I learned how to solve construction and thinking problems such as how to assemble two or more vertical planes, two horizontal planes and two diagonal planes. How to describe space and how the tectonic strategy could inform my spatial conditions. Materials were implemented on a hierarchical way to keep balance and structural functionality within the system. In conclusion, scale, proportions, materiality and tectonic strategies were implemented and intermingled to create a functional and spatial apparatus.
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Section A’A
Section B’B
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Components of Apparatus:
Vertical and Horizontal Partitions, provide support and boundaries for the system
Vertical, horizontal and Diagonal locking and structural elements. Provide seating for user, openings to see through, width for spatial partitions, skylight, and structure.
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Smaller scale elements that provide axis 360째 movement and supporting locking structure of vertical and horizontal planes. They also provide vertical and horizontal thresholds to move from one space into another one
Exploded Axon
Final Model
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B-2 Studio Fall 2013 Inst. William Nolan
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Project 1 Educational Spaces 91
Project 1 Concept Statement: After analyzing the components of Project 0 apparatus, I moved forward into studying how this system could adapt itself to the design of an educational facility on a sloped site. The Arnold Arboretum was the given context and site which allow me to explore my tectonic idea within a real landscape and real program. While exploring the site, the program and my tectonic idea I discovered that I wanted to integrate all of them into pieces that connect as a whole. I picked parts form the site to locate my design and connect with its surroundings. My components are 1) Space creators that came from Project 0 and became transformed to respond to the site and the program.
Space Definer
2) Space definers that would break and separate the spaces within the volume responding to private, public and common spaces and also responding to the idea of an educational building for sustainable architecture exhibits.
Project 0 Components
Space Creator Tectonic Iterations Adapting to site and Program
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The Site Concept
Direct approach of the Site through existing Path
Site Section 1/32”-1’-0”
Site Concept Drawn at 1/32”=1’-0”, Green Indicates Private Spaces, Red Public, Orange indicate existing path projected onto the Hill as my building path, Black thick line is a visual wall created by the hill as it goes up.
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Collage Explorations Renderings exploring the spacial qualities of the exterior and the interior of my tectonic idea and how it responds to the site and the program.
Connection with path and Landscape
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Space Creator in relationship with the site and Human interaction.
Collages of Spacial qualities and programs interacting with the site and the users
Materiality
A Swirling Green Roof Tops Nanyang Art School in Singapore | Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building
Granada Science Park, Ferrater+ Jimenez Brasa Architects
CR Land Guanganmen Green Technology Showroom / Vector Architects
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Reading Space
Contrast Between Floors
Exhibition Spaces, Space Definer 97
Plan 1 Underground Entry Drawn at 1/8”=1’-0”
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Plan 3 Second Floor above Ground Offices and Utility Spaces Drawn at 1/8”=1’-0”
Plan 2 Ground Level, Reading Spaces and Exhibition Spaces Drawn at 1/8”=1’-0”
Section 1
Section 2
Drawn at 1/8”=1’-0”
Drawn at 1/8”=1’-0”
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Site Plan Drawn at 1/32”=1’-0”
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Ground Entry Detail
Second Level Reading Space Detail
Offices View of Exhibit spaces Detail
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DARGUI N FORTU NA B. Arch Boston Architectural College
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