Jingwen Huang Professor Jerry Lum Fall 2015
Week 1 Project No.1 What’s Your Sign? Phrase 1: Concept Generation --Step 1: What are the words that best describe yourself? Pick three from the list and prioritize them. The three words that I chose for myself are: Optimistic, Friendly, and Quiet. Then I searched on the internet to see what the images could best correlate with them. For optimistic, the results turned out to be smiling faces and sunshine. For, friendly, the important aspect was light color. The searching results for quiet were not what I wanted, so I changed the searching word to be peaceful. Then I got some beautiful images about the peaceful nature.
Step 2: Making collages The images at the right side are my three collages made by the images I searched before. The first one was very simple, which was one letter of my first name, “J”. I was not satisfied with it because it didn’t show any aspects of me. Then I generated the second and the third ones. The second one was based on a growing tree but was in the shape of hands, which I meant to be growing and gaining knowledge. As I simply placed the images separated on each of the fingers, I didn’t see the value of them.
As I was not satisfied with both of the collages, I tried to make the third one. I searched the term “collage� online and found out that the collages are formed as a particular shape. I was thinking: Could I also make my third collage based on an object or image? I chose the shape to be a ballet dancer, which not only showed a sense of beauty but also showed the words: optimistic, friendly, and quiet.
Phase 2: Build It. I took the dancer to be the best collage and decided to build the sign based on it. The first sign I made was a simple large dancer. I used thick foam board to enhance the thickness of the sign, but it also added up to the difficulties of cutting. I chose to use watercolor to draw simple pattern on the dress of the dancer. The hanging was not good. Although it achieved the function of holding the sign below, it had nothing to do with the sign itself. Besides, it was not graceful or beautiful.
Week 2 I learned from my class and got suggestion for the second sign. The second one is also based on the form of dancer. Instead of just one dancer, I decided to make multiple of them. In order to show a sense of movement and rhythm, I used white strings to connect them with the hanging. I still used watercolor to draw on them, but I used different color so that it could make people feel happy. I also changed the hanging to be a thin circle and a little dancer. In this way, the sign could be generated as a whole. Each part was connected in meaning.
Conclusion of Project 1 --Design as a language: Design is a process to translate out thoughts into a readable form. As stated in chapter one of the textbook, architecture can also be representational. We design things to inspire others, to evoke inner sense or feelings of others. We design things to show certain aspects of ourselves. --Design Process/ Evolution of Your Work I changed the scale of the sign in order to add movement. I also changed the hanging to better enhance the whole design. --Craft: Materials and Construction Methods I used thinner foam board to do the second one because it is easier to cut. From the process, I understood what my professor said in class, that only if you actually worked on the project could you know what was going on and what was the better method to do it. “Architecture is a gesture. Not every purposed movement of the human body is a gesture. Just as little as every functional building is architecture.� -- Ludwig Wittgenstein, Dhilosopher
Week 3 Project No.3: Perceiving, Experiencing, and Interpreting Spaces and Places Project No.3A: Documenting Our Journals This assignment raises our awareness of observing the environment and being more engaged in the designing process. I went to the Yerba Buena Garden near downtown San Francisco. I have never noticed that there is such a beautiful public garden there before. This assignment gave me a chance to visit it. It is a peaceful place with attractive environment. I couldn’t help sitting there and watching what people were doing. I had a wonderful afternoon there.
Stairway going up to the garden, the entrance of it. The plants make people expect what to see after going up. The long corridor beside a cafĂŠ. Warm sunshine and attractive environment
Looking up when standing at the stairway. The special design makes you feel that you can breathe freely instead of being covered by the pathway on top.
The wooden bench on both sides of the corridor. Feeling alone at sunset.
The wall of the pool. It combines flowing water, sunshine, shadow, and the rough rocky surface at the same time.
Walking down from one side of the pool. The unique surface not only shows a sense of repetition, but also catches interesting shadow on it.
The waterfall and the sunshine.
The curved stone chair allows people to sit around. It makes people feel close and relaxed
At a corner of the meadow. A quiet pathway will lead you there. It is a circle space with a small pool and some irregular stones for people to sit
The exit of the garden. It looks like a railway station with the curved metallic top
Project No.3B: Making Collage After I analyzed my selected ten images, I found that the most important aspect of the place I visited is peaceful. Then I came up with a series of adjective words that describe my journal: Peaceful, enjoyable, comfortable, and relaxing. The next step was to print there images out and find a way to generate them into a collage. For the first one, I cut the images into pieces and separated them. I tried to find a logical way to connect the different parts together, but it came out to have sharp edges and didn’t evoke any feelings in others. So for the second one, I tried to integrate the different parts of the environment as a whole and evoke a sense of leisure and peace. But the second one failed because it is not a collage.
Week 4
Charcoal Drawing— Exploring Possibilities Before using charcoal to do gesture drawing, we used it to see what different effects it can create. We began with drawing the thinnest and thickest line to examine how thin and thick it could be by changing the angles of the charcoal. Then we examined how light to dark it transferred by pressing on the charcoal.
Then we were asked to use charcoal to express speed. We drew lines to show fast and slow. I expressed movement by moving the charcoal up and down and changing angles. Next, we used charcoal to define space. It is the most challenging part for me because I didn’t know how to show it. So I just used lines to mark out a space between them.
Week 4 Project No.4: Make a Wall, Make a Window, Evoke Wonder Possible Position: The wall is a living thing that responds to changing conditions inside and outside, and connect inside and outside. Precedence Research The image on the right side is the Church of Light in Ibaraki, Japan designed by Tadao Ando. The contrast of darkness and brightness created by the cross opening evokes a sense of wonder. By letting in certain amount of light, explorers can feel that the church is mysterious and sacred.
This is Corbusier’s Notre Dame du Haut in Ronchamp, France. Corbusier designed a wall that has multiple windows with different sizes. The light effect created by these windows is remarkable. I can also see the contrast between the darkness of the room and the multiple indirect light sources. Besides, the glass windows shape unique light effect.
This is the Suzhou Museum designed by I.M. Pei located in China. The images were taken from the internet. It shows respect for the nature, and enhances the harmony between human and the environment.
Gesture Drawing: On the class, we used charcoal to draw certain aspects that are related to an evocative space. First, we were asked to draw how wonder was in our minds. In my view, wonder is your interest to explore and experience. I drew it without thinking too much because wonder doesn’t require careful thinking. For the second one, we were asked to draw the possible shadow that can be created by light. I chose to draw as above because I think light spreads in all directions. Therefore, it can create shadows in many ways. For the third one, we drew to define the shadow of the second drawing. At first I didn’t understand, but after I asked my classmates and observed what they did, I had a clearer idea.
Week 5
Gesture Drawing: The fourth one was to draw what multiple light sources would look like. I didn’t do well on this one because I had no idea about what to draw. The next one was to draw the image that shown by our professor. I tried to show how it change from light to dark because of the indirect light source. The last one was to draw Corbusier’s Notre Dame du Haut. I chose some windows to depict. Some were above light source and some were below. The way to distinguish them is to examine how the light diffused after coming through the windows.
Building the Model!
The narrative exploration a. What are the most significant aspects and qualities of your constructed design? Looking at the wall from a distance, it appears to have two different sections which give people two different experiences. The whole wall is designed to be curving from left to right, which makes the sight to follow it.
b. What will a first time viewer of your work see and experience? Looking at the left part, the wall is tall and long. There is not a lot of light coming from outside. It doesn’t provide a very clear view for people to look from distance, but it attracts them to take a closer look and peek at the outside from the long, thin strips. The right part, on the other side, is very different. It is short. It has a larger opening which allows direct view. And the amount of sunlight is warm for people to sit there and daydream.
c. What does your design primarily represent? The constructed wall model is designed to give people who have different moods a place to settle their minds. The left one allows the depressive emotions to be calmed down. It is also a good place to meditate. besides, the right part makes people feel warm and happy. d. What are the details of what your audience will see and experience as they engage your work and how these details relate to your metaphors? The whole design is composed of three layers. Looking at the left of the tall wall, one can see a series of long, thin window strips. But not all the window strips allow light to come through. To take a closer look at it, only two of them allow people to look at outside, and the others are blocked at either the second layer or the third. The little amount of light coming through can give people a place to calm down and think deeply. Walking from left to right, the middle is a set of folded space, which not only connects the two parts, but also separates them in order to give better experience. The right of the wall is low and lovely. It has a round shape opening that allows a lot of light coming through. It creates a warm atmosphere which is different from the left part. It makes people feel relax and allows them to daydream.
Week 6
This is the second version for a place of wonder. In addition to the existed wall, I added three walls to make it a complete space. The south is the existed wall with long strips and a circle window. The east is a curve declining wall, which forms a closed space with the south wall. The west wall is composed of several long horizontal strips with different slopes. They are meant to create an uninterrupted sight line for people looking at the outside. The floor has unique patterns similar to the south wall. The whole space looks like a piano, which gives a sense of elegance.
With the suggestion given by the class and the analysis of the sections and plans, I decided to changed the west wall with a series of long strips. I changed it because it didn’t integrate with the other parts of the model. From the analysis, I knew that curvilinear is the major feature of my design, so I made the new wall with curve line above. I also made two half circular space below, which allow storage or rest.
Storyboard
Week 7
Narrative: When one approaches the place, you can see that the entrance has a wide opening that attracts you to walk in. It is a long dark passageway that leads you to the place. As you walk in, the passageway becomes narrower, and the height of the ceiling is declining. There is also a split at the upper right between the ceiling the wall. Meanwhile, the split is also changing from narrow to wide. Combining all these elements together, one can feel how the space and also the amount of light coming through is changing, which directs you to go inside and explore more about it. The passageway is curve, and it makes you expect that the space has something to do with curvilinear. Standing at the end of the passageway, you will see a bright and broad space with special patterns on the flat ground.
Narrative: Looking straight you can see a low wall with a round shape opening that allows direct sunshine to come through. There is a long bench attached to the wall that allows people to sit and daydream. Looking to the right, you can see a wall with a series of windows that follow the curve of the wall. There are two half oval spaces beneath. One concaves inward, the other one concaves outward. This particular space can function as chairs or a place to store things. They can also be a funny zone for children or pets to play.
The ceiling of this part is oblique and the upper right is wider. Walking to the left, there are stairs leading you to go up. The left part of the space is elevated to provide a sense of privacy. The left wall curves inward and forms a tall, closed interspace. Standing at the center of the elevated space, the right side is a tall long wall with a series of long, thin window strips. The wall has three layers. But not all the windows of theses layers allow light to come through. It attracts people to take a closer look at it. As you approaches the wall, you can find out that only two of the windows allow people to look through them. The design is meant to create a safe zone for those with depressive emotions to calm down.
Week 8 This is a rough model made according to my storyboard and narrative. Based on what I had before, I made some changes. One is that I elevated the left part so that it can be separated from the right part in order to create a closed space. I also changed the circle window, made it the same as the other one. In addition, I added a curve passageway higher than the inner wall.
I took the China Pavilion of 2015 Milan World Exposition in Italy as an example to study. I tried to make a curve ceiling like that, but I failed. I spent time in exploring the right way to make it and had no answer. From the class, I realized that my ceiling is separated from my whole place, and they are not the same style. And it also had the problem of matching the original model below.
Week 9
After trying different approaches to design the roof, including several changes of the previous version, I decided to abandon the original idea because I can’t find a way to integrate it into the existed model. I decided to make it simpler by cutting openings. In order to unify with my concept, which is to provide an open space and a private space in contrast, I made the openings narrower as it waves in. At the end of the roof, there is no cutting opening but some different ways. From the critique I got in class, I knew I could make it better by unifying the intervals with the long window strips on the wall. Besides, I could change the extended part of the roof which goes beyond the walls and make it more interesting.
Analysis by Jerry in class: Reasons why the previous one was not unified with the original model— 1. It is a saddle frame while the original one is curvilinear. 2. It is symmetrical. 3. It touches the ground outside of the existed walls without any integration. 4. Rhythm of opening and structure were independent of existed walls. Shapes of roof opening foreign-trapezoids. 5. The scale is larger than the existed scale. 6. Arbitrary opening as result of roof to top edges of my walls. Ways to improve current design— 1. Morph the existed curve into the roof. May make it as a metaphor such as a flower when the opening of the lower part gets larger. 2. Make it supporting columns more interesting, such as making it go beyond the roof and becoming a sculpture. 3. Integrate the openings with the window strips on the wall.
Midterm Reflection/ Summary The first half of the semester was individual work. The critique from class was very helpful. I could see the improvement as well as weakness in my design. I was lacking in imagination, and I need to develop more in the future. I liked what Jerry told us in class, that “We are not only the consumers now; we can be the creators to create beauty.” For the future, even though I’m not as good as others, I know I can learn it by researching and studying examples. The first half semester gives me confidence to continue in learning architecture, and it also makes me more interested in design.
Expectation for the Second Half of the Semester • Demonstrate a rigorous process that is based upon site and program analysis, research, and critical thinking. • Respond to significant site aspects to demonstrate a contextual design approach. • Identify best (through an exploration of variable and credible alternatives) plan and section relationships that support a journey of diverse experiences of wonder. • A design that evolves to the point it can be scaled up to full-size construction with a defined kit of parts with efficient assembly.
Week 9 Research Inspiration For Final Project I.
Inspiring Examples (Folding, Sectioning, Rendering Nature)
• Folding: “A process that turns a two-dimensional surface into a three dimensional one to produce both surface and structure.” Personal Reflection: Folding gives modeling endless possibilities. By folding the paper, we can get different shapes and forms which ordinary buildings can’t achieve. Folding architecture is active and inspiring rather than ponderous.
Bloomberg Pavilion Project by Akihisa Hirata
• Sectioning: “A series of profiles whose edges follow the lines of surface geometry are assembled as serialize and parallel sections to produce both surface and structure.” Personal Reflection: Sectioning is the one I like the most. Maybe it is not as inspiring or imaginary as folding, I feel something strong from it though I can’t describe it right now. When I saw the examples, I knew it’s something I want to build.
Pixilated Spiral Structure from Wooden Modules by HG-architecture
• Rendering Nature: “Making the invisible perceivable.” Personal Reflection: One example that Jerry told us in class help me understand the concept better. Wind is invisible; however, we can feel or even “see” it by the movement of the cloud, the leaves, and many other things. The same as other elements in nature. Architects can design a structure to make them “visible”.
Angle of God illuminates church interior
Inspiration Research: More Examples on Sectioning
Left: Cidori Koshi: Kengo Kuma and Associates; Right: Wood fan pavilion by Professor Hanxiaofeng in Shanghai Desigh week
Fuxing Tan (Cenotaph) by Hanxiaofeng
Week 9 Model 1 For the model one I tried to use sectioning, but obviously I didn’t really get it. I tried to make a path way changing from high to low. The back is a sitting area. The horizontal small pieces make an implied circle, which means the end of things. The critique I received in class was that my entry way was too symmetrical. When the design is symmetrical, it has lost half of the possibility to develop.
Week 10 Model 2; Site Analysis Model 2 Given the feedback of the model 1, I tried to change the entrance way from symmetrical to irregular. The idea came from the trees outside. As I observed, the tree branches are crossing irregular. But it didn’t match with the original back part I made before, so this one didn’t make sense.
Site Analysis (Note from class) • Site Responses Sun path/ Slope/ Vegetation/ Wind/ Frames Beauty/ Time/ Shadow • Existing Built Environment a. Alignment with existing aspects b. Resonating with existing patterns. c. Existing shapes of space d. Views e. Alignment with distant landmarks • Things not obvious a. Referring to or inspired geological history b. Cultural history c. Spiritual Beliefs d. Water, Seismic Issues, Environmental Issue e. Societal issue, racism.. f. Minimizing certain senses to promote others g. Evoke presence of thing past
Site Analysis The right is a site analysis according to our site. I drew down some important elements, such as the shape of the courtyard, the hillside, and some obvious vegetation. I marked out the sun path based on the direction, and also the important time for the sun when we have class. I also drew the shadow of the trees at that particular time as I thought it was important to the site analysis. Because I felt like the wind was coming from every direction, I didn’t draw the wind direction out.
Site No.1 Significant Aspects
Site No.2 Significant Aspects
Site No.3 Significant Aspects
Program Analysis
Week 11 Model 3&4 Model 3 For the site I selected, the important aspect that I saw was the sunlight coming through the tree leaves. Therefore, model three aims at providing a space for people to sit or stand, and they can look up to enjoy the beautiful view.
By sectioning, the sun pattern coming through the structure becomes more interesting. And the model looks more structural.
Model 4 Model 4 is different than the model three though I made it by arranging the same pieces. This one is designed to place at both sides of a tree trunk, meaning like hands protecting the trees. It aims at provoking a sense of respecting and protecting nature in people’s mind.
Meanwhile, it can be a bride connecting different sides of the tree, meaning building the bridge for people to communicate.
Model 5 My design for the final project started from the thoughts including a two-side composition that forms the shape of hands, and something that could guide people to look up at the shining leaves in the sun. The hand-shaped form intends to enhance the concept of protecting nature. Then I explored the different possibilities to show "wonder". I made openings on both of the structures so that they could see each other. But it is not completely opened, and people can bend down to see through. The top of them is not blocked so that people can see through. Besides, the left one is the path, and the right one is a node. It creates different experiences for visitors
Week 12 Team Set up; Safety Workshop I.
Safety Workshop
A. • • • • • • • • • •
Power Tools Power tools should be used and stored in a dry area. Keep children and pets away. Wear the safety glasses. Read the statements of the tool and keep in mind. Make sure the tool is off and locked before plugging in. Maintain the tool on time. Check the tool every time before using it. Make sure that you plug in the proper ones. Keep the working area clean. Focus on the work and pay attention.
Week 12 Team Set up; Safety Workshop I.
Safety Workshop
B. • • • • •
Miter Saw Safety Read the warning and statement. Plan your work before actually cutting. Keep the hands in safe place. Check the guard system before using it. Keep hands out of the path of the blade, and the intended line of cutting. Make a dry run with the working piece before cutting. Tighten the slide every time you change it. No gap between work piece and the fence if the piece is bent.
• • •
Week 12 Team Set up; Safety Workshop I.
Safety Workshop
C. • • • • • • • • • • •
Circular Saw Safety Keep the work place dry. No loose clothing. Wear dust mask and safety glasses. Make sure the guard is working well. Switch off before using. Adjust the saw blade Use the blade for the appropriate one Make sure it’s unplugged when making any adjustment. Place one hand on the handle, and the other one holding. Full speed before making the cut. Allow it completely stop before taking away.
Week 12 Team Set up; Safety Workshop II. Team set up. Project Manager: Craig Design Director: Alice Team Bookkeeper: Jingwen Team Photographer: Xiong Site Coordinator: Jacky Rules of Engagement • Monday and Wednesday classes are mandatory meetings. Outside of class meetings will require at least two team members present. • Work days shall be documented with the images from each day uploaded to a Google group/drive then shared with all team members. • If absent or tardy, inform the team ahead of time so that arrangements can be made. • Costs for project exceeding the $200 cap will be split evenly between the group. • Major design changes will be agreed upon ad a team. Work days during the week will be on specific aspects of the project as discussed as a group.
Week 13 Site Analysis; Design Inspiration As a team we chose the middle part of the hillside as our site, a place between the trees. We were all satisfied with the site since it had all the elements we wanted: Wind, sunlight coming through the tree leaves, shadows, an open view for the landscape in distance, our department building, and even a little part of the courtyard.
Week 13 Site Analysis; Design Inspiration Design Goal: To enjoy the site for its natural beauty and atmosphere, to enjoy the opportunity to build and create something that is our own and compliments the site without disturbing or disrupting it. Craig’s original idea was to design a bench that curved responding to the site. Xiong and Alice shared the similarity as their designs were both curved and implied infinity.
One way that I thought was to have something light and elegant curving down from the trees. And as it comes down, it becomes the curved bench for people to rest. The light and curving thing also draws attention to look up at the trees as I want to emphasize the beauty of the sunshine coming through the leaves.
Week 13 Site Analysis; Design Inspiration The next design idea that we all agreed with was that having a sitting area as a bench to enjoy the view in front, and also hanging the small bamboo pieces from the trees in the shape of implied curving as Xiong and Alice had. When the wind whispering through the trees, we can also have the sound of the bamboo pieces hitting together. In this way, it makes the invisible wind perceivable, and it integrate into the environment well. Alice advised that we could use fabric to block the back view of the side to make people focus on the front view. And the moving fabric also makes a implied wall. Feedback from Jerry: We didn’t have a solid concept. Just framing the view is not enough. And it is not site specific. Jerry’s advice was to focus on one sense such as the auditory sense: We could build the hearing horns to hear the sound coming from different areas, and makes it focus by blocking the view of outside using the fabric.
Week 14 Research; Design Idea
From Espazio http://www.editorialespazio.com/noticias/detalle/82
Week 14 Design Idea So we met during the weekends to get a better design idea and have better design language. Based on some research and examples provided by Jerry, we came to our final idea of the design. We still keep the gabion bench because we think it integrate with the site well. Then we change the fabric from simple back piece to more complicated idea. We want to make it look like it is flying up from the bottom to the sky, so we choose to have one side more pieces than the other.
Week 15 Construction We were a week behind schedule, and we tried to catch up. To begin with, we figured out what we needed and bought the material first. Xiong and I did some research online to see what to use to attach the fabric to the lines. Most of the examples we found online use metal to connect things. The metal pieces are too expensive to afford, so we turned to Jerry for help. Jerry suggested that we could use midshipman hitch to tie the fabrics to the lines.
Materials: • • • • • • •
2x4 Lumber Blue Hawk 11-in Plastic Landscape Stake Secure Tite 2-ft Rubber Core Steel Hook Bungee Cord Metal Grommet Kit Fishing line Lycra (fabric) Split shot
Week 15 Construction 30% completed We used the rubber to wrap around the tree trunk; Craig and Xiong climbed up to tie the fishing lines to the rubber. Then we drew points on the ground and put the ground stakes into the ground, tying the lines to them. We also tried to attach some fabric pieces to the lines to test.
Week 16 Construction 60% completed After we came back from the weekend, we found that some fabrics had slid down already because of the wind. Then we tried to tie multiple knots on the lines, but it still failed because the fishing line was smooth. Jerry suggested that we could use split shots to fix it.
Week 17 Construction 100% completed We rushed to tie up all the fabric pieces, but we were so nervous that we actually lost the original shape that we wanted to maintain. Besides, the pieces were not cut according to the exact measurement, so we wasted some materials unnecessarily.
Week 17 Construction 100% completed We spent some time on making the bench as we needed to cut it and screwed it together. We didn’t have enough time to make it a gabion bench. Meanwhile, I realized that the lumber was to thick, and it would lose the feeling of integrate into the environment even if it was a gabion with dirt filled in.
Week 17 Construction 100% completed It was until the last week that we began to build the small scale model. Xiong and I spent some time to build it the day before the presentation. I think that the small model has lost its meaning because it is meant to provide a visual guideline for us to follow in the construction. However, due to the time we spent in the full size structure, we had to wait until the last minute to make it.
Week 17 Presentation On the day of presentation, we all tried to do our best to present our project. We may not as well prepared as the other team; our design was not as complicated as theirs, but we knew at least we had tried to achieve something. And actually we did learn a lot from the process! We knew we had many weaknesses, but that were the opportunities for the future. Thanks to my team and my professor, I earned a meaningful semester for this class.
Spending (Bookkeeper) 11/23 Lowe’s 64.51 remaining balance: 185.49 Fabric outlet 13.95 11/25 Lowe’s 91.22 remaining balance: 94.27 Fabric outlet 8.96+18.03=26.99 12/2 Lowe’s 13.49 remaining balance: 80.78 Fishing tackle 13.04 Fabric outlet 21.98 12/？ Lowe’s 26.29 remaining balance: 54.49 12/8 Lowe’s 8.13 remaining balance: 46.36 Total: 279.60 =Lowe’s 203.64+fabric 62.92+fishing tackle 13.04
Final Reflection The second half of the semester was a team construction project. We learned how to come up with a design and work as a team, and we also learned how to solve problems that we had. At first, we thought we had a concept of what we wanted to build, and we were all satisfied with it. However, Jerry told us that our design didn't have multiple layers or meanings. Our design was too simple. So we discussed about how to add more elements to it by learning some examples. It made us start our construction later than the plan, but we finally got a solid concept. We learned a lot in the construction process. Jerry taught us to apply the same principle of fishing to our design while we tried to come up with a way to attach fabric pieces. Without actually constructing something, we never know how to do it. Therefore, the project was not only interesting but also meaningful.
Final Reflection How we can do better: • Better time arrangement • Set up objectives before every meeting and try to achieve the initial goal • More imagination for the design • Better team communication • Don’t rely on one person to finish the whole project; we should share responsibility. • Show ownership for the project • Be more engaged in the design as well as construction