Simple or complex
Tessellation:
Eliasson: Le Corbusier:
Form over function:
Futurist
art:
Olafur
Here I have looked at the theme of Form of Function. These objects have no function that is practical but it does draw attention due to its abnormal shape making it impractical. The eggcup was my main focus as I was intrigued by the twists. It creates an illusion which is quite impractical. It also has no space for its primary function – holding an egg. This simple idea of an egg cup is pretty complex once changed, and I wanted to incorporate this twist idea onto another object.
Primary photos
Here I have looked at my mood board and found shapes within the images that I have correlated to other objects. I was particularly inspired by the wires. The wires was similar to the spirals on the egg cup. I like how these tangled wires give shape and texture without being the exact same as the perfect swirl in the egg cups. I like how the metal wire was straight but was similar to the electrical wires, giving a variety of inspirations for models.
Model 1
After looking at my drawings and models, I decided to create multiple models inspired by the structures. I wanted to explore the curls and spirals within my model. I used paper as it is very flexible and will curl easily so the shapes can be identified. I decided not to give a base structure and let the spirals free flow to understand potential shapes. From every angle the building would look very different giving a form of uniqueness. The model creates shadows changing how we see the building. Our perception could be distorted which could fall into the category of form over function as the distortion may not be functional for the consumers of the building.
Developing model
Here I added a base to the spirals. This would allow for multiple dimensions to occur. I have placed the spirals dangling and interlocking with each other to create new shapes. I feel this is more successful than my last models as it has a defined form unlike the last models. I have considered what this could be in terms of its function and it looks like it could be something within the art field. It is in the shape of a typical tent, which highlights an idea of the temporary or a pavilion styled building. I could create a community space such as a theatre, gallery or even a museum which would attract visitors as well as allow for citizens to have a space they feel comfortable in.
Drawings from development
Here I have drawn very basic outlines of the model above. Here we can see the shapes in their actual form without shadows making the building look completely different. I have chosen to do perspective views as it gives more dimensions to inspire further buildings. It also resembles the wires I took photos of which could help me have further inspiration.
Potential building shapes
After focusing on my model, I realised it did not resemble a building and was more of a pavilion. Therefore I have looked at close ups of my model to find interesting structures of a building. The spiral idea is rather impractical for people to use in a community. From each close up I have found a new style of building. One of them reminds me of the Olympic tower in Stratford which could be a potential idea.
Olympic Tower in Stratford
Detail of function
Olympic tower
Here I have looked at the Olympic tower in Stratford. In my drawings on the previous page, one building in particular reminded me of this tower due to its constant spirals. I have looked at this tower inf further detail. The purpose of the building is a remembrance of the Olympics in London 2012. I could create abuilding that unites a city or town in my brief such as a community centre similar to how this building unites those who was part of the Olympics. The spirals are similar to those in my model so my model could have become a community entre or an art centre due to its complex shape.
Torre helea, mexico
This building is rather similar to the Olympic tower and my building idea. The spirals are in a similar shape to my idea in my drawing. The Olympic tower has spirals which are rather different to this, as the Olympic towers swirls are almost random unlike this building which is very evenly placed and structures. Each layer has a different building on it which are all the same just different lengths and widths. If I was to create a building with spirals, id have to make it much shorter to fit within a community so it isn’t too extreme, but bold enough to be recognised. Skyscrapers are not realistic in a small town which is I will be located.
evolver, Switzerland
After researching the Olympic tower and Torre Helea, I discovered that id need a smaller scaled building to be practical for my project. Here I have found a small scale stricture which could inspire my building. It demonstrates the twists but in a smaller scale. I pulled apart all the shapes I particularly noticed, and drew them. These shapes could become anything. I associated these shapes with mathematic graphs due to their curves.
graphs
After dissecting the evolver building into shapes, it made me think of mathematical graphs which have peaks, curves, and lines. Here I have briefly demonstrated how these graphs could become a building of sort.
Zaha Hadid’s Heydar Aliyev Centre, Baku.
After looking at the graphs, this building particularly come to mind. This building curves and peaks just like a graph does. This building is unique, and could be on a smaller scale so it would be suitable for a building in a small town like what I am preparing to be making.
Models
Here I have created a much larger scaled version of model one. I have created numerous loops and intersections to create a spiralled structure. This building is similar to a graph due to it having peaks and troughs in many areas. I have taken close ups of the wires in places where they intersect to understand the shape clearly.
After looking at graphs and researching the Heydar Aliyev Centre, I decided to create some models using tubes of wire. I tied a basic shaped knot for this model to see how something so simplistic could form a complex shape, as shown. The interlocking is similar to the buildings I have researched such as the Olympic Tower and the Evolver.
Model 1: Model 2:
Model 3
Here I have developed from model two. This model is taller than my other models as most of my research is based off of towers and structures with height. My model is still curved and shaped like my other models but I brought the curves higher to be similar to Heydar Aliyev Centre.
Model 3:
essex museums
Havering
After having the idea of an artistic space for a community, I decided to look at all of the museums in Essex. The map has pin pointed every area which has a museum of sort. Rayleigh, Westcliff and Southend all have Museums close together, and Southend is considered an attraction is Essex due to its seaside, shops, theme parks and more. It also has these community spaces for citizens. I should create a space similar to this for an area such as havering which does not have this.
Essex theatre
After searching where museums are located, I decided to further explore the locations of theatres. Havering has many more theatres than it does museums, and they are relatively popular. Queens theatre is the most popular theatre in the area, however it is quite small. People from havering do travel to Thurrock to visit the Thameside but the closure has caused controversy so a new theatre could be a good solution to the protests from the community's. Rainham does not have a particularly local theatre so this could be a potential space.
Rainham
I have looked at Rainham and the area surrounding the station. Brookway park is about a 20min walk from the train station and it is near the village, a secondary and a few primary schools and has many housing estates, meaning there are many family's in the local area. Rainham lacks a community centre, whether that is a theatre, a hall or café that can bring them together. Brookway park has a bad reputation due to the association of drugs, therefore a centre here could bring a safer and kinder environment to the adults and children of Rainham.
Design Brief
I have chosen an area in Rainham that is currently a children's play park and greenspace. The park itself is run down and old and not a particularly safe space like it was intended to be. The park has become associated with drugs and gangs making it unpleasant to its wildlife but also unsafe from young children and adults. this park has houses surrounding it, so people may feel unsafe to leave their homes late at night due to this site due to the current state of the park. Therefore, I believe a community centre in replacement of the park will benefit those living in Rainham.
After doing some research of Rainham and its facility’s, there is a lack of community space and a community itself. Citizens can feel quite isolated within their homes as there is no spaces to meet new people, make friends, and find new hobby's if you are not a child in school. Rainham has many primary schools and a large secondary school so children can easy socialise and make friends, but for adults moving into the area, this could be pretty difficult. A community centre would allow for adults and children to meet their neighbours and make new friends. It could also be a safe space for those who need help from others at difficult times. This centre would also benefit the children of the area as it will give children and teenagers a place to go outside of school that is safe and will stop loitering around streets adding a sense of security for the community. This will hopefully reduce crime as the park which is currently full of crime will be demolished and it will also give people a place to go instead of committing crime.
This community centre will have a café, a hall, and a sports centre. The café will have a casual mood making it a comfortable environment for people to talk and meet without any expectations. I will build a theatre/hall that people can hire for events such as birthdays and weddings as well as for schools to work alongside with for their music and drama departments. I would also like to build a sports hall/ centre so people can play indoor football or badminton so people can remain fit and healthy whilst discovering new hobbies and interests. The sports and swimming centre has shut down in Rainham, which was close to the park that this centre will be built on, so a small scale version of the old centre will hopefully create a community again. The old centres closure impacted the community and caused protests to keep open, so a new, even though it is smaller, sports centre will definitely be welcomed back.
The centre will be indoors so it is suitable for all weather conditions. People will be less inclined to use if the building has outdoor elements due to the weather in the winter, so only temporary seasonal outdoor structures should be made. It will be accessible for all members of society so there will be easy access to second floors for the elderly and disabled. The area the centre will be built on is near bus stops and is about a 15/20 minute walk from Rainham train station so people can easily commute there on their way home from school and work or just from their homes.
Rainham’s old sports centre- Chafford sports complex
Here I have looked at the design of the old sports complex in rainham. This was shut down and caused much controversy as the community wanted it to remain. Therefore I could consider the design in the design of my community centre I am planning on building.
Queens theatre- hornchurch
Here I have looked at the exterior and interior of the queens theatre in Hornchurch which is Rainham's most local theatre. The exterior is very geometric and modern, using black white and orange as contrasts to make it a bold building. The interior is much more vintage as it has red velvet seats and wooden walls making it look like an old historic theatre. This contrast can be quite attractive for locals as they can socialise and be entertained in the building by shows and concerts, but it will also have the warmth that old theatres have due to its design. The outside looks extremely clean, welcoming those in, and the interior makes a comfortable setting for its locals.
Arhus Knowledge Centre- Roeselare Belgium
I went to visit extended family in Roeselare and they told me about the Arhus Centre in the town centre. It is a library and community centre which aims to educate and unite the people of Roeselare. I went to visit and took a photograph which is to the right. It was made of glasses and was very bold. Most buildings in the area are old brick buildings which are only one or two storeys making this glass building stand out and be a key attraction.
Personal visit, 16th February 2022
Early bkk- café
Here I have looked at this café due to its complex exterior. The exterior is made of triangles with a variety of materials. The café is very opened planned and spacious which I should try to recreate in my building. The interior is very simplistic using wood, but adds colour through the use of plants. The exterior is quite intimating due to its sharp angles but the soft interior makes it quite welcoming for the public. There is multiple layers to the building adding depth and can cause it to be a exploration in the café due to the plants wooden resources.
Geometric patterns
