Arch101 Learning Portfolio
Fidel Archuleta March 11, 2015
Malevich Inspired Construction
Objectives Given a 2D painting created by Malevich known as Supremacist composition 2 Create an architectural form. Translating a portion of the image as seen above into a 3D architectural form. The repetition that the five arrows create sparked interest.
Challenges • • • •
Takeaways
Working with new material Establishing an approach Organizing ideas with craftsmanship Finding complexity
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Don’t use base on early iterations Establishing relationships 7 sec adhesives work the best Time management
The presence of rhythm creates predictability and order in a composition. Architectural form and the human body both rely on structure to exist in the physical world 1
Applying Analytical Tools to Promote Design Process
Objectives •
Applying Sketch Up to aid in the design process.
Weaknesses • • •
Developing skills for new software Turning my design into a real tangible object outside of a drawing Organizing ideas with craftsmanship
Strengths • • • • • •
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Stepping away from a base Established relationships Form Craft Time management repetition
Designs is translatable through the Principles of design
Applying Analytical Tools to Promote Design Process
Objectives •
Applying Sketch Up to aid in the design process.
Strengths
Weaknesses • • • •
Developing skills for new software Constructing my design into a real tangible object outside of a drawing Organizing ideas with craftsmanship Fixation on previous iteration
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Established relationships Form Craft Time management Repetition
History, culture, and time are captured and expressed through architecture
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Exploring Design Through a Narrative & a Hike Through Nature Connections After breaking away from Ben Johnson Trail and leaving the heart of Muir woods national monument, we found ourselves diverting south from our once westward path of travel on to a rugged pathway known as Dipsea Trail. The scent of salty ocean air kisses my lips as the wind blew it through and then quickly past me, but then quickly returning as it bounced off the ancient red woods to the east retrieving the sweet brisk relaxing scent of the aged forest. Now coming forth into view rolling hills, as a slight view of the ocean enters the right horizon with every step. Onward and southward one hundred yards the ocean now makes up the horizon line to the west. But just southwest sits a structure cantilevering from the sloped terrain excitement and curiosity now pulse through my veins. In a place so natural and serene the clean lines and balanced angels draw my attention as It lures me in like a nocturnal insect to a flickering light. I break away from Dipsea Trail and approach the structure carving my own path into the grassy landscape with forced caution but a quickened step. No doors! No windows! Linear it runs east to west, with the trees at its back and the salty air at its nose. I slow my pace as a thought rushes through my mind is it here to take in the scents I described earlier? As I come into arms length I reach out as the structure welcomes my touch with a cold warmth keeping in contact I run my hands along its cold dense wooden surface. Now standing in front of the structure with the grand redwoods at my back. It’s angled walls break up my line of sight to an ocean view. As the sun parts the clouds, light enters the structure shadows form geometry, very reminiscent of how light passed through cathedral grove back in the heart of muir woods a connection is made. Now stepping into the structure it’s angled walls now standing next to them bestow a feeling of tension familiar to the feeling and presence that was left long ago by the fire that burnt hollows into the large giants years ago, which allowed me access to the heart of a living wonder. Now I stand in the heart of the structure taking in the warm glow of wood, light, and shadows. The encroaching walls bring about an unfamiliar space another connection is made. Etching forward tension turns into fear as I am no longer supported by the ground but by the structure itself. Looking forward the structure and I look out at the ocean as one and tension is released, freedom and redemption now pulse through my veins as I sit at the edge feet dangling taking in the scents and sounds, as the wind forces it’s way into the openings of the structure.
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Exploring Design Through a Narrative & a Hike Through Nature
Objectives •
Develop design through a narrative that describes spatial experiences
Weaknesses • • •
Symmetry Creating what was felt along my hike Expressing feelings
Strengths • • • • •
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Focusing in on my experience through nature Pulling away from 90 degree angles Created a pathway Tension New Iteration
Drawing gives us a visual approach to dealing with proportion
Exploring Proportion & Beauty
Objectives •
Weaknesses
Proportional transformations
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Symmetry
Strengths • • • • •
Creating what was felt along my hike Complexity Created a space for the pathway to end Tension Expressing feelings
Injecting harmonic, golden ratio or Fibonacci into design brings about visual harmony to the looker. •
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Exploring Proportion & Beauty
Objectives •
Explore design possibilities through scaling up construction designs
Weaknesses • •
Symmetry Time management
Strengths • • • • •
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Creating what was felt along my hike Complexity Created a space for the pathway to end Tension and Rewards Expressing feelings
Storyboard
Objectives •
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Developing a storyboard to enhance narrative and focus in on design. Words into images Evoke spatial experience
The Path
Combining images with words and feelings • Excitement • Self importance is lost • Tension • Pathway of tension leads to rewards • Rewards are remembered along the journey • Connections are made with path and a place made by human hands and human labor •
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Weaknesses •
Struggling with symmetry
Symbols and worldly connections evoke memories to create experiences with space. 8
Storyboard
Objectives •
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Developing a storyboard to enhance narrative and focus in on design. Words into images Evoke spatial experience
The Path Combining images with words and feelings • Excitement • Tension • Pathway of tension leads to rewards • Rewards are remembered along the journey • Connections are made with path and a place made by human hands and labor •
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Weaknesses • •
Failed iteration No connections made
Strengths •
Moved away from symmetry
A narrative organizes ideas which can then be applied to the design process A program creates a system to follow which is then applied to the design process 9
Frame & Surfaces
Objectives • • •
Design with a focus on structure How is the structure effected by the skin Take advantage of repetitive surfaces
Weaknesses • •
Strengths
Perfection of form slows down my creativity and flow of ideas No focus on second level skin
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Improved iteration Form follows function Movement through Repetition
Form does follow function Design by nature appears fluid and effortless at the joints Design by humans is forced and bulky at the joints
Nature & Space
Objectives • • •
Connections in nature structure and its impact on form Shape and form of each element and its connection to other elements.
Inspiration • • • •
Vertebrates Anatomy Repetition Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba.
Studying the skeletal system that makes up the striped dolphin was one of the key inspirations for creating the arch on the following page. The connections at the ribcage and spine create a compelling composition as the bone widens at the intersecting joint. The curvilinear form of the vertebrae is achieved by the spine bone being largest in the center then scaling down as it nears both ends. 11
Nature & Space
Strengths
Weaknesses •
Perfection of form slows down my creativity and flow of ideas
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Adjustable roof structure Movement through repetition Form rising from ground level Spacial complexity
When design responds to nature curvature and repetition are essential. Joints must attach in an effortless manner. Structural members of the spine in nature are repetitive. With that said design should be reflective of this natural trait when dealing with structural elements.
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The Process
At the beginning I enjoyed using sketch up to get ideas flowing, I also constantly found myself looking to nature for inspiration, the feelings and spacial experiences I remember as a kid are often pulled from the deepest parts of my analytic memory. The mojave desert was a special place for me growing up. These three factors pushed my creative process at the beginning. But inevitably with certain programs the ideas from these sources ran dry. So I purchased a book titled Calatrava Public Buildings. Inspiration for the arch I constructed was taken from this book. For some reason I steered clear of the internet as I felt looking up some of todays masters of architecture would be cheating. I gave into that idea when I found out that Calatrava found inspiration in the work of Antoni Goudi. As we neared mid terms I gained three important tools narratives, charcoal and the idea that inspiration surrounds me all I need to do is slow down and enjoy life to capture it. With that said I feel my experience as a builder creates fixations when constructing form, I strive for perfection at the very beginning of my process and in this process I sacrifice ideas. Knowing this I will use the second half of the semester to rid of this minor threat in hopes of developing a more efficient way to communicate my ideas.
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