KERIME GURESCI’S DESIGNING ENVIRONMENTS PORTFOLIO SEMESTER 1, 2016 STUDNET ID: 834024 TUTOR: GEOFFREY KELLY
SITE (ACTION)
Through taking pictures from 9am to 5pm, we were able to map out the action and use of union lawn. Through adding layers of information, we were able to reveal relationships between different forms, forces and effects that occur. This helped us to more clearly understand the effectiveness of the lawn and how we could potentially make changes through our final model, to help increase use, as well as to solve any congestion problems, or issues like shade and seating.
SITE (ACTION)
The most common activities on union lawn were walking, eating and sitting, thus once again providing a basis for what kind of structure or designed element that should be included in order to further help utilise the space through our final model.
SPACIAL COMPOSTION
I created a stage as part of the spacial composition assignment, though I was off track with the outcome as it was more of a final design than exploring frames, grids, waffles, beams or superframes and thus was one of my weaker performances. I managed to create a design but I wan’t happy with it as it didn't necessarily meet the brief.
LANDFORMING
This assignment required making a model using the landscape. I believe I didn’t fully follow the brief as my design was lacking in operative techniques such as carving, folding, sloping, defining or stepping. It was more of a simplistic landform, not necessarily make the best use of the land beneath it, but just utilising the space, like a building would, rather than a landform which uses the land as part of the design.
ASSEMBLAGE (DISJUNCTION)
Disjunction was the main aim of this assignment, to get rid of order, stability, balance, hierarchy and harmony. I attempted to challenge the integrity of forms, though this proved quite difficult to not only make a stable structure but to also not be tempted to balance the structure, and try to make it look perfect. Bernard Tschumi was the main inspiration, and I really enjoyed making a model that was somewhat unconventional.
NARRATIVE + COLLAGE I hear shouting, and chanting. I close my eyes and feel the atmosphere and energy in the arena. I feel almost mesmerised at the passion around me. I open my eyes, though I can hardly make out the opposite end of the court. People are cheering, different flags all over. Cameras flashing. But then it all stops. The match has commenced once again, and, silence. The contrast encapsulates me and allows me to appreciate the maturity and respect of the crowd allowing the players to resume play. I assume my seat slowly and quietly and meet my new found passion.
SUPERIMPOSITION COLLAGE
After adding in aspects from my site assignment and my prior assemblage based on disjunction model onto my collage, the end product was extremely chaotic and colourful. When I drew out a potential plan from the superimposition collage I was quite happy as it was quite different and the collage allowed for great and creative inspiration which I tried to utilise. I probably should’ve however, come up with a completely new design rather than use the basis from a prior model, but I was quite happy with the main structure in which I ended up keeping until my final design. This collage proved to be the most useful exercise for me as it provided a creative catalyst to explore different elements of design.
EXPERIENCE COLLAGE
My chosen material was wood so I tried to incorporate different types of wood and patterns into the collage to make it more interesting and aesthetically pleasing. I also incorporated other patterns to further emphasise the wooden elements by allowing them to stand out. I really enjoyed this exercise as it allowed me to see the potential that my design had, if the materials I wanted were used. I chose to fully focus on the shade/butterfly structure for the collage instead of a small aspect as I wanted to see the complete final product of having the different wooden elements used in the design.
FINAL PROJECT
PLAN OF FINAL MODEL
SECTION OF FINAL MODEL
FINAL PROJECT
PARTIAL SECTION OF FINAL MODEL
FINAL MODEL
FINAL PROJECT My model will be located is on union lawn, right off union rd, in the grassy area. My program was meet and I wanted to create a space in which students from all over the uni are able to meet up in this area and socialise or study. There are tables around to eat lunch on and study on and also shade created by the butterfly structure, from the sun or shelter from rain. Additionally there is plenty of space to sit around and utilise the area and enjoy the environment. Also its quite pleasing to look at and somewhat calming because of the incorporation of the wooden panelling which is the main material for this design. I feel as if the wood immediately creates a sense of happiness or relaxation for the people utilising the space and also seems quite natural and eco friendly, through use of raw materials rather than man made ones. There are quite a few different levels in which people can sit around on the steps which is a positive rather than everyone being on the same level, people can be up higher or lower, seeing the university around them differently. I’ve taken aspects from the collage such as the patterns created by the flags to create some steps which are large in width enabling for people to sit on them. Also Ive added in circular shapes into my design in the form of the tables, rather than always having straight edges which Ive had for my other designs. I also like having lots of things going on in the design to create a space thats more interesting and so theres lots of things for a person to do whilst meeting up with their friends such as having coffee on one of the tables or sitting under the shade. For me, the collage and the superimposition collage proved to be most useful, allowing me to see how different shapes are able to flow and help create basis for my final model. Through trial and error I decided to change the way the butterfly shaped shade structure looked, and made it slightly bigger, so more people can fit under it, and its also supported by two wooden pillars to make it look quite large and to also fit more people under it as the shade is up higher. Originally I wanted it to be on the ground with open spaces so people could climb through and find areas to sit in within the shade structure, but thought that might be too much of a risk as it could be somewhat dangerous and also potentially not useful. I’ve also changed the way I was going to do the steps, with just having wooden slabs rather than just conventional steps. I had some challenges with this final model as I wanted to incorporate circular motion staircases surrounding the main butterfly structure, but just on an aesthetic level, it was difficult to make them look neat and tidy on the model itself, which I why I ended up going with wooden slabs, which generally I prefer because they're also a great space to sit on, whereas the other steps weren't going to be that useful. furthermore, I wanted the model to be open to the whole environment with only one area of shade, i dont believe this is necessarily a negative even though the space may not be properly utilised when it rains or its extremely cold, but I believe almost having the structure apart of the environment is a positive, and having a space able to be utilised for study outside rather than inside is a huge positive for me, without artificial lighting and air conditioning. I think overall my design is definitely somewhere students could meet up with friends and experience and enjoy the environment comfortably as well as be apart of an abstract setting, thats somewhat unconventional.