The first part of the semester proved to be challenging. Life seems to get in the way sometimes and that can cloud one’s vision. This, in addition to a severe lack of time management skills, created a heavy weight to bear. With that being said, I was still extremely determined to succeed in my design work and finish the second half of the semester strong. Here we go!
I was so excited about this iteration. After an emotional end to the first half of the semester, a much awaited breakthrough in my design work finally happened! Overall, there is a lack of intention in the design, but this iteration still proved to be a major step. Looking for inspiration from the idea of space in regards to ‘frame + surface’, the model is a nonsymmetrical structure created by repetition and variations in length and position. Still needing to create nodes within to imply secondary spaces along with directed pathways.
Inspired to create pathways for the imagination within ‘spaces’ hidden, with ‘skin’ to give choices for direction. A spatial experience for the mind and the eye. Even though this iteration was not as successful as the previous, there were good things that came from it. Trying to work with repetition, variation and nonsymmetrical themes, this iteration had a lot of intention within. But as a result, I believe it became static. I built 3 ‘nodes’ but had difficulty finding an intriguing way to position the three individual pieces into a compelling path for the eye to wander and the imagination to wonder.
The Arch 101 Design final project is a collaborative project where each student seeks to challenge and demonstrate their design creativity, knowledge and skills developed over the course of the semester. The goal for the final outcome shall be to collectively envision, plan, design, manage and build temporary environmental installations in the courtyard and barren hillside located behind Batmale Hall, on the SF City College campus. The theme for this semester’s work is WONDER.
We began by building our proposed models to ½� scale, which helped to determine an initial starting point for our on-site installations as well as bring to our attention any factors that may affect the full scale installations.
Inspired by some of the links in the assignment handout, I tried to create a ‘pathway’ with ‘a place with a view’. I focused on hierarchy with the ‘steps’ as well as creating hidden spaces with the extension of the ‘steps’. This model is not as complex as I would have liked. Still need to provoke WONDER in my design work.
I really enjoyed the pathway that I created but the lack of intention hurt the overall success of the design. Repetition and variation in length of material was good but does not create a spatial experience for the eye to wonder along.
A good effort to create a pathway and node but lacking density and complexity. At this point, my design work is struggling. Again.
Hoping to work with the addition of vertical planes as well as get a sense of orientation of location on-site for my next three iterations.
These iterations needed to focus on a proposed orientation and placement on-site. I was successful with those aspects but again created symmetry in my design. There are three specific views from the platform that I am proposing to build. Using the smallest of the three trees on the hillside as a entry point, the platform will be built related to the slope of the ground.
Continuing to struggle with the use of repetition and variation in my design.
This iteration proved to be good and bad in design. I was able to decide what the specifics views from my ‘tree house’ will be but am still struggling to create an effective way to evoke WONDER in a spatial experience. One thing that helped me to work on my design this time was the addition of the ‘hillside’ into my model. Need to start determining materials for full scale installation.
These next iterations focused on researching materials, supplies and tools that will be needed to build our proposed models. Also, I will begin to look into framing components, connectors, surface/skin materials and tension components. At this point, we need to determine and take into consideration the logistics of our full scale installation i.e., transportation to site, storing materials and production. In regard to design work, the focus is to identify what is arbitrary and what is not. Responses to specific site aspects are necessary at this point in the design work. Also important to remember to develop viable approaches to full-scale installations as well as unity.
Due to time constraints, I decided to prefabricate my materials offsite as I had access to tools, supplies and the space I needed. I was able to bring to life my proposed model and get a better idea of how I was going to proceed. I had to cut the sections of the platform into smaller pieces for transportation but was able to reassemble on-site.
Typically, the frame work would have come first in the production of a platform but in this case, I would be working with the slope of the hillside and thus, it was more beneficial to create the platform deck first and then create the framing component for the structure as well as creating a level surface to stand on.
After what seemed like forever, the semester has finally come to an end. And I believe it was successful too! This being my very first design studio class, I had no idea what to expect. The amount of work and effort that was needed was well more than I had anticipated but looking back, it was all worth it. Not only was I able to design and create what I had set out to do but I was able to see just how far I can push myself to achieve my goals. It was not always easy, or pretty, but I can honestly say that I put my all into it and got everything I possibly could out of it. I would like to think that I elevated my design process along with my initial development of my own tectonic language. I look forward to moving on to the next phase in my design work, Arch 102. I know it will not be easy but then again, if it was, would it be worth it?
Interior Design Studio Arch 30 Spring 2012 Prof Amily Huang