ET HAN CHIANG
Yale School of Architecture Master of Architecture [M.Arch I] Core 1 Studio Portfolio // Fall 2020
Fragments: An Image Object inspired by Construct A+A by Barbara Kasten
VOL 01 12.2020
PREFACE The Art of Decay... This portfolio contains 3 projects I completed during Core 1 Studio at Yale University. Looking back,
perhaps what ties these
projects together is an interest I developed in decay - in how things break apart, and come back together to create new relationships. In Project 1A & 1B, this interest manifests itself formally into material qualities of light, color and reflection. Project 2 looks towards the potentials of mud and bamboo construction in the tropics, how these materials can provide a means for collectivity, and withstand the effects of flooding due to climate change. Thank you Nikole Bouchard and Christina Zhang for your teachings and guidance, I have learnt so much.
CONTENTS CORE 1 STUDIO // FALL 2020
01
FRAGMENTS
Project 1A: Image Object
02
ELUSIVE VOIDS
Project 1B: Image Volume
03
MUDDY WATERS
Project 2: Plan Unplanned
[p. 4]
[p.12]
[p.24]
01
FRAGMENTS PROJECT 1A: IMAGE OBJECT
Yale School of Architecture Core 1 Studio // Fall 2020 Critic: Nikole Bouchard TF: Christina Zhang
Project 1A: Image Object was the first of 3 projects in the MArch I Core I studio. The exploration began by selecting an image from a pool of artists, analysing its visual qualities through drawing, then translating this into a 3D object by model making. I chose Construct A+A by Barbara Kasten (an 8 x 10 polaroid photo of staged objects) for its intruiging qualities of light, color and reflection. Am I staring into an endless vista? Or is that visa reflecting back at me? It doesn’t make sense. Then again, it’s not supposed to. Confused? Good. Then my job here is done. Don’t trust your eyes. One can never really believe what one sees. This lens was crafted just for you, constructed to fit the naive, gullible and untrained eye. This is Barbara Kasten’s world, and you’re just living in it. 01
01. Construct A+A by Barbara Kasten 02. Image analysis [Above] 03. Image object final model [Opposite]: Foam core, reflective mylar, bristol paper 4
5
IMAGE ANALYSIS: READING & MISREADING
6
Project 1A: Image Object
7 Project 1B: Image Volume
Project 2: Plan Unplanned
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9
10
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02
ELUSIVE VOIDS PROJECT 1B: IMAGE VOLUME
Yale School of Architecture Core 1 Studio // Fall 2020 Critic: Nikole Bouchard TF: Christina Zhang
Whilst Project 1A focused on the visual aspects of an object’s exterior, 1B looked towards qualities of a volume’s interior. Barbara Kasten’s Constructs photography series
were
highly
disorientating
and
confusing, but the images were actually constructed from simple, highly-recognizable objects. Playing off this concept, I envisioned a space that would celebrate confusion, color, and light. The exterior would be objectlike, with simple architectural geometries as apertures - acting like a camera lens in which one would see space. Conversely, the interior space would be distorted and complex, with no clear sense of orientation. Model making and photography were the primary means of investigation in this exercize.
02
01. Concept sketches [Above] 02. Interior view of final Image Volume 03. 3D printed study models [Opposite] 12
13
14
A
01. Image volume sectional model [Opposite] 02. Diagram, section, plan & contextual exquisite corpse plan [Above] 15
Project 1A: Image Object
A
Project 1B: Image Volume
Project 2: Plan Unplanned
IMAGE VOLUME: AN EXQUISITE CORPSE
MODEL PHOTOGRAPHY: INTERIOR VIEWS
16
Project 1A: Image Object
17 Project 1B: Image Volume
Project 2: Plan Unplanned
MODEL PHOTOGRAPHY: ELUSIVE VOIDS
01
01. 3D printed sectional study models 02. Image Volume final models [Opposite]: Museum board, 3D prints, rectangular dowels, gold & silver spray paint 18
19
20
Project 1B: Image Volume
Project 2: Plan Unplanned
FRACTURES: A SIMPLE COMPLEX
01. Plaster & liquid paint model [Opposite] 02. Fractured plaster study model 21
Project 1A: Image Object
02
22
23
03
MUDDY WATERS PROJECT 2: PLAN UNPLANNED
Yale School of Architecture Core 1 Studio // Fall 2020 Critic: Nikole Bouchard TF: Christina Zhang
Project 2 began by investigating a painting’s potential to create plans through lines, patterns and figures. The program was a 10,000 sq ft spiritual center and daycare; student’s could site their building anywhere in the world. I chose Homage à Verner Panton by Zaha Hadid, and situated my center for women and children in Dhaka, Bangladesh - a city that increasingly houses climate refugees. My project was interested in architecture of impermanence, the potentials of mud and bamboo construction, as well as a building’s relationship with land and fluctuating water levels. The idea was that mud - a material that naturally decays, and thus requires constant labor, could be a means for collectivity and participatory design. The center would be a place to empower women and children with knowledge to a build a sustainable future.
01. Plan oblique concept sketch [Above] 02. Longitudinal sections over time [Opposite] 24
Project 1A: Image Object
25 Project 1B: Image Volume
Project 2: Plan Unplanned
SITE ANALYSIS
Washpur is home to many climate refugees from South Bangladesh (most of whom are CONCEPT COLLAGE Water floods through the canyon-like entrance during monsoon rains 26
women and children). The chosen site engages the waterfront, and lies on the periphery of unplanned and informal settlements.
Project 1A: Image Object
27 Project 1B: Image Volume
Project 2: Plan Unplanned
COLLAGE CHARETTES: PLAN MAKING
28
Project 1A: Image Object
29 Project 1B: Image Volume
Project 2: Plan Unplanned
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31
32
33
34
Project 2: Plan Unplanned
MATERIAL STUDIES
3 cups of Soil 2 cups of Water 1 cup of Glue
2 cups of Soil 3 cups of Plaster 1 cup of Water Recycled Plastic Recycled Paper
Project 1B: Image Volume
2 cups of Soil 3 cups of Plaster 1 cup of Water 1 cup of Rockite
2 cups of Soil 3 cups of Plaster 1 cup of Water Recycled Mirror
02
2 cups of Soil 3 cups of Plaster 1 cup of Water 1 cup of Wood Stain Bamboo Skewers Butter board
01. Clay/bamboo model & 3D scan collage 02. Mud, plaster, bamboo material studies 35
Project 1A: Image Object
3 cups of Soil 2 cups of Water 1 cup of Glue Bamboo Skewers
36
37
ARCHITECTURE OF IMPERMANENCE
Embracing the Natural Elements: Children read and learn in open-air classrooms
The Water Shall Come: Water becomes a part of everyday life. The community becomes well adept to handling the challenges of flooding
38 36
Lets Get Muddy: The resilient community participates in rebuilding the center every year
Project 2: Plan Unplanned Project 1B: Image Volume 39 37
Project 1A: Image Object
The Show Must Go On: Despite the heavy monsoon rains and flooding, life prevails.
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thank you W: studiochiang.com IG: @studiochiang E: ethan.chiang@yale.edu
