PROJECT 1a – Tectonic Precedents 'Sushi is a good metaphor for good architecture. The importance in sushi is to choose the best material from the place, in season. Frank Gehry makes bad sushi.” --Kengo Kuma Course Title Due Date Instructor
Arch 503 Accelerated Design II Friday, September 4 Keith Diaz Moore
Objectives This project will focus on: Learning how to conduct case study precedents How to present information in a graphically compelling manner
The Problem Students are asked to utilize Semper’s Four Elements of Architecture as a framework by which to critically analyze the tectonic thinking exhibited in built work by exemplary contemporary architects. In 1851, Gottfried Semper wrote The Four Elements of Architecture which remains one of the most influential theoretical writings in architectural history. This essay asserts that there are four essential elements to architecture: hearth, mound, roof and enclosure, stemming from four essential acts or practices to create architecture: crafts using heat (ceramics, metal, glass); water and masonry; carpentry; and weaving, respectively. The hearth is, according to Semper, the “moral element” or the soul of architecture. This is because the hearth is experiential in nature. It is sensual (thermal comfort), nurturing (food), and social (communal). Thus the primary architectural tectonic is the experiential, or what Frampton calls the ethnographic. Mound addresses issues of gravity, roof addresses shelter and enclosure may also be thought of as mask. Or to use a human analogy, enclosure is skin, roof is bones, mound is muscle and hearth is soul. Each student will examine the architectural work of a contemporary architect and interpret that person’s approach to three buildings in regard to each of these tectonics. The architects are to be selected from the recommended reading list in the class syllabus. The interpretive framework will be informed by Spivak’s archetypal places and Thiis-Evensen’s Archetypes in Architecture. Spivak identifies 12 place genotypes (beyond shelter) from which all others flow: sleeping, feeding, cooking, excreting, grooming, meeting, playing, working, competing, storage, territoriality (portal), and path. Thiis-Evensen’s framework is structured differently than Semper’s but will ease analysis as it focuses on floor (mound), wall (enclosure) and roof. For each building, students are to choose four place genotypes to examine and: a) describe the floor/wall/roof assemblage that creates the place; and b) describe the “personality” of that place genotype and how the role of those tectonic elements in creating that personality. Presentation: Each building and its four genotypes should be on a 20x30 board. Each genotype should be presented in a 10x10 area. The remainder of the board should identify the building and its location, architect, date built, and a matrix summarizing the analysis. Schedule Monday, August 24 (9:00am): Computer Orientation Wednesday, Aug 26: Woodshop training; Software workshop Monday, Aug 31: Proposed Layout Formats Friday Sept 4: DUE Evaluation Students will be evaluated on the following criteria: 1. Clarity and Insightfulness of the Interpretation 2. Exhibited understanding of tectonic literature and the precedents studied 3. Quality and timeliness of presentation 4. Adherence to Process Arch 503, Fall 2009 School of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Kansas
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Carter/ Tucker House Architect: Sean Godsell Location: Breamlea, Victoria (Australia) Year Constructed: 1998-2000 Materials Used: Wood, Steel, Glass
FLOORPLAN Scale: 3/32”=1’-0”
Portal
Portal tal
N Meeting
Cooking
Path
Meeting
North Elevation Mound: Visitors enter along a processional deck.
Mound: A wooden deck is nestled into the sand dune site on the north side of the building.
Enclosure: Timber screens can be modified in an arbitrary manor depending on how much shade one wants at any given time.
Enclosure: Moveable walls and flyscreens allow the rooms to be divided up.
Roof: A skylight reflects the open plan of the home by opening up to the sky above.
Roof: Solid ceilings allow for enclosure of the space to offset the timber screened walls.
Personality of the Space: After entering the choice of up or down illustrates the journey through the house that offers the reward of vies and terraces.
Personality of the Space: An open floor plan allows for continuous movement through the space so one does not have to retrace their steps.
Cooking
P Path
Mound: Wood floors throughout the space. Enclosure: A solid wall separates this space from the stairway, two walls are enclosed by the timber screens of the exterior wall. The fourth wall is the necessary appliances of the space. Roof: Solid ceiling. Personality of Space: To allow for continuous movement.
Mound: The home is embedded into a sand dune. A persessional deck is needed to enter the building which is uphill from the arrival area. Enclosure: Terraces and mezzanines allow for the views of the site. Roof: Screened louvers can be opened up for shelter and view. Personality of Space Views can be modified by the viewer to fit their needs.
F U T U R E S H A C K
Portal
Architect: Sean Godsell
Mound: using some structural framing, the design can be transported and placed anywhere
Location: Worldwide Year Constructed: 1985 - 2001 Materials Used: Ocean Cargo Container, Plywood. Structural Steel
Enclosure: once open there is essentially no enclosure along the path Roof: not only does the folding wall panel act as coverage but the solar panel roof above covers the entire unit Personality of the Space considering the unit is virtually indestructible it can be placed anywhere there is solid ground which makes the design perfect for temporary housing following natural disasters
Sleeping Mound: one end of the bed is supported by the hinged supports and the other end supported by fold out legs
FLOORPLAN Scale: 1/4” = 1’-0”
Portal
Excreting
Cooking
Sleeping
Enclosure: with a space saving idea, the two beds are folded up into the wall when they are not in use Roof: two skylights in the roof allows for added daylight in the unit specifically when the unit is closed up
Personality of the Space with the functionality of the space and having the fold down beds, the space is perfect for the needs of a family in need of shelter with all the essential living needs LONGITUDINAL SECTION Scale: 1/4” = 1’-0”
Excreting
Cooking
Mound: the plywood flooring throughout the space becomes comforting
Mound: insulated plywood flooring gives a unique comforting feel
Enclosure: surrounded by insulated plywood walls
Enclosure: making the entire cooking space enclosed hides the space when not in use but is easily opened up for access
Roof: considering the shipping container is self-supporting and considerably insulated there is no need to add to the ceiling Personality of the Space with the plywood walls and floors, the stainless steel fixtures are the perfect counterpart to their counterparts. the space is essentially equipped with the basic needs
Roof: two skylights overhead provide for plenty of natural light into the space while preparing a meal
Personality of the Space enabling the entire cooking/eating space to be hidden behind doors and in walls creates a unique feel to the space. the space keeps things simple but extremely functional
KEW House Architect: Sean Godsell Location: Melbourne, Australia Year Constructed: 1997 Materials Used: Wood, Steel, Glass
FLOORPLAN
N
Scale: 1/8” = 1’-0”
Path
Path
Meeting
Cooking
Sleeping
Meeting Mound: hardwood flooring with small holes to allow chilled air from under house to penetrate into the living space Enclosure: glazed curtainwall system with steel screening which provides perfect shading during summer months
Mound: allowing nature’s terrain to decide the natural path into the home, then just enhancing the path with natural stone
Roof: Soft colored ceilings with operable openings to allow light and breeze into the space
Enclosure: the surrounding natural environment path’s enclosure Roof: the mood of the sky above acts as the roof Personality of the Space with the beautiful surrounding site, the simplicity of the path couldn’t be set any more naturally than displayed
Cooking
Personality of the Space following an Eastern style with an open layout, the meeting/greeting space allows the residents to enjoy the outdoor feeling from within the interior
Sleeping Mound: natural, recycled ash hardwood flooring Enclosure: open view to the east and access to patio beautifies the western style of the kitchen/dining area
Roof: with the roof lying only close to grade it appears to be penetrating from the surrounding landscape Personality of the Space three of the four sides surrounding the kitchen/dining space open up to outdoor elements. with this in mind the 7 meter wooden table empowers the space in a number of ways
Mound: hardwood flooring with small holes to allow chilled air from under house to penetrate into the living space Enclosure: interior open entry walls and exterior screened glazing allowing privacy with a view Roof: low flat ceiling accentuating the outdoor view Personality of the Space with the three bedrooms connected along the south face of the house, it allows for a wonderful night time experience with a view but allowing for privacy with the dividing walls