LEARNING PORTFOLIO Part 2 Murat YAVUZ JE R R Y LUM AR C H - 101 FALL 2015
Table Of Contents •Early Individual Designs •Second Iterations of Final Project •Site Analysis •Third Iteration- Journey “Birth to Death” •Getting Started for Group Projects- Picking Teams •Putting The Group Together •First Group Model •Group Rules •Work Progress •Developing A Group Model •Mix of Individual Models #1 •Mix of Individual Models #2 •Re-Mix Of “A Journey From Birth To Death” •First Group Model •First Final Group Model
•Feasibility Problems •The Re-Birth •Construction Begins •Experiencing the Construction •Leveling the Site •Working In a Harmony •Picking The Right Materials •Lowe’s To Site •Total Cost •Using Left Overs •Behind The Scene •Complete Final Project •Safety Notes •Recommendations For Future Students •SWOT Developing •Final Reflection
Looking For Inspirations Getting inspired is easy! Difficult part is picking one of the million inspiring styles, and continuing without giving up from the elements you like! I was very excited after the briefing final project lecture. Looking to the pictures of the earlier groups, I could see that they were having a lot of fun while gaining construction skills. I knew this would be a big experience for my Architecture career, therefore I had to get ready for what’s next!
Early Individual Designs I wasn't sure which approach I wanted to use so I just tried those which inspire me most and did 3 different models. I was inspired by Sectioning, Forming and Tessellation style designs. Since I couldn’t decide which style I liked most, I decided to use three different approaches in one model on next iteration. I knew it would be hard to keep the unity when there is a lot of different techniques used on one model but I wanted to give it a try!
Second Iteration After trying many different ways of mixing the elements from the first iterations I picked the one that has a stronger sense of journey and has bigger potential on becoming a inspiration for the group project. I had a lot of help from my We called the model above “ A Journey instructor about Through Birth And Death� which later become creating a narrative. our group projects narrative.
Site Analysis I dido’t know then but after starting to build the group project I understand the importance of the site analysis. If you have a site analysis and your project responds to that, everything you design will make more sense and your new addings will match with your site and narrative.
Final Project: Site Analysis
Sunrise- Sunset Directions
Wind
2 Weather conditions could be challenging as the project will be built by the end of the fall semester.
view
Second location also has a curving ground but without slope.
Entry
Since the project has a curving structure, primary choice would be on country side close to the east edge. Also the slope of the location could be beneficiary.
1 Wind
view
Three boxes represent the three possible locations that final project wanted to be built on.
Third Iteration When I get to the third iteration I was quite ready to join to groups. But before that I expand the journey and narrative with my instructor. My third iteration had 4 components and a path through the model. Area 1: Its scale force visitors to crawl which is an unfamiliar way of entrance and gives a sense of childhood. Area 2: Still has confining feelings but has more daylight in. It’s could give a a choice of stopping and watching the view to its visitors. Area 3: Visitors experience more and more of an adventure when they get to the area 3. It also has a bigger opening that allows visitors to have a wider view. Area 4: End of the journey has a reflective feelings. Its opening to the nature makes the visitors rest and take their time. It also has seating that allow visitors to spend more time inside.
Getting Started For Group Projects: Picking The Groups
Team 1
Team 2
Project Manager
Murat
Towers
Design Director
Ben
Hannah
Site Coordinator
Connie
Jie
Bookkeeper
Jessica
Quince
Photographer
Ryan
Raquel
I was happy to be elected as Project Manager and ready to do my best. But to be honest none of these makings mattered. It didn’t limit ourselves. In our group, everyone tried to do everything and pick the best work for the group. It didn't’t work all the time and create more conflicts but this way taught us how to work as a group.
Putting The Group Together In our first meeting we tried to determine the skills our group members have. We figured Raquel was good at Sketch Up, Photoshop and Photography. Ben had great hand drawings. Jessica was good at writing and modeling. Connie was a good researcher and I had some Sketch Up and Rhinoceros 3D Skills. We also set the first tasks for the next meeting: -Find a Theme -Adopt the Site -Build Fifth Iteration of Model for Group I also created a Google Doc which could be a good help for us to be in schedule, determine our weaknesses and overcoming the conflicts but no one really cared other then Jessica, our bookkeeper.
Group Rules We agreed on our group rules of engagement and made a list before we start to work as a group. It actually helped us create a revenue for our budget from the late and absent fees.
Rules of Engagement: - Each team member will participate in at least 12 hours of work per week. (As needed, the number of hours will increase closer to the deadline date.) - The remaining money needed after the initial $250 budget will be evenly divided among all 5 members. (After all late/absent fees are added, if applicable.) - When working at the site or on group models, a minimum of 2 members will be present in order to make decisions together, spread work evenly and keep the team design in mind. - When significant progress or decisions are made, the entire team will be updated with notes, texts or photos as necessary. - On Sunday of each week, each member will update the team of their availability and the days/times they plan on working. Absenteeism and Tardiness: - All Tuesday/Thursday class times are mandatory. - “Late” is considered more than 30 minutes tardy (1-30 minute grace period) to class or agreed upon group meetings; a $5 fee will be applied to the group member - “Absent” from previously agreed on group work or class time; a $15 fee will be applied The fees will be added to the group budget and recorded by the bookkeeper. The group member that is late or absent has 7 days to give the money to the bookkeeper. Conflicts in Design - All efforts will be made to negotiate and compromise in design decisions, with keeping the main design in mind. - Any time-sensitive decisions will be made by majority rule. - If any team member is unhappy with a design aspect, they must at the same time present an alternative or solution to the issue.
Work Progress I created the Google Doc to keep us in schedule and to record our working progress. But no one actually had time to fill in and check what I and Jessica contribute. I tired to explain to group that it is important for us to write down our progress, conflicts, recommendations etc. It would be helpful when we are preparing for the presentation and creating our learning portfolio, I said. Later I figured no one have time to be organized.
Developing A Group Model We had a lot of conflicts until we come up with a group model. Everyone tried to narrow down the elements of our earlier individual models to meet in the middle. With the help of the instructor we finally had our first group model.
Mix of Individual Models #1
First, we tried to mix the elements of each individual models and narrow the group design.
Mix of Individual Models #2
After we figured we were really falling behind the schedule we solved the conflicts and come up with a Re-Mix Model
Re-Mix Of “A Journey From Birth To Death”
First Group Model Team Elements: -Filtered light -Tension points -Sense of Journey -Multiple components -Folded planes -Obstacles
We decided on the team elements and three of us created three different Sketch Up models while other two started working on physical model.
First Final Group Model Then we mixed our three Sketch Up models into one. It was easy to come up with a final group model from the earlier three models, since we all used the same shape, journey and design language. But we were not aware of the COMPLEXITY of our final group design. Putting together what everyone wanted created a big COMPLEX model that was impossible to build with the budget, time and skills we had.
Feasibility Problems Our group was so excited and ready to start working on construction but there was something bothering me. Were we able to create our very best final with the budget, time and skills we had? The answer was NO.
The Rebirth: When we discovered our design was not really feasible everyone were frustrated. We were loosing hope of finishing the project in time and turned on to each other. During the class we shared our issues with the instructor and luckily with his lead we come up with a new, simple grid design that has the same journey and responds to the same site.
Simplified, grid design with Sketch Up adaptation
Construction Begins
We selected the “Country Side- Gateway” to place our Project.
Structure, Tools and Materiality: Material Used -2x4 wood beams - 90ยบ Metal Fasteners - 1.5 and 2.5 inch screws - Fabric - Eyehooks - Fishing Line - Split Shots Tools Used: - Miter Saw - Drills - Shovel - Level - Hammer
Experiencing The Construction We build the frames down by the studio since we have the miter saw set there. We first build the frames and then connect them together at the site we wanted the project to be located.
Leveling The Site The site we selected had a slope therefore it was necessary to level it. It was very hard work and we spend a lot of time on leveling the site. Because we had a very big project we had to level a lot. Luckily Mr. Wong, one of our group members father who has a lot of construction experience, was there for us to teach how to level the site properly.
Working In A Harmony Working together saves a lot of time. It is very important for group members to cooperate actively. It saves a lot of time and enables to do better work.
Picking the Right Materials It is important to pick the right material. We spend most of our budget on metal fasteners but when we run out of them we discovered that we could use screws instead of fasteners. Screws were actually stronger but harder to line up.
Lowe’s To Site Since we didn't have access to a truck all the time we had to make most of the cuts at the Lowe’s When we first asked to one of the staff he didn't want to do a lot of cuts for such a small purchase. But we kept asking to other staff and one of them was nice to do a lot of cuts for us. It helped us a lot of time because we didn't had to wait until we find a truck.
Total Cost We spent about $630 for the whole project. About $80 fee were charged from the members for being late and absent.
Date
Store
Expense
Amount
Total
Nov 23
Lowes
Lumber, Screws
145,71
145,71
Nov 24
Lowes
Screws, Angles
98,59
244,3
Nov 29
Lowes
Lumber, Angles
194,33
438,63
Nov 30
Lowes
Metal angles
93,35
531,98
Dec 3
Lowes
Lumber, Grommet
53,79
585,77
Dec 8
Home Depot
Eye Hooks
18,49
604,26
Dec 8
Scrap
Fabric
20
624,26
Dec 8
88 Fishing Tackle
Split shot
4,33
628,59
Using Leftovers We had good amount of left over materials from the earlier semesters. But we had to be very careful using what we picked from the yard. Because many of the wood had screws inside the beams and we didn't want to cut the wood which had screws in. Also there were many bugs. I got bitten and got very itchy after picking some leftovers.
Behind The Scene
Complete Final Project
Complete Final Project We designed and build the bigger project of the Fall 2015. Our final grid like structure made everyone who visit enjoy the journey. It revealed the child inside everyone! I really liked the platforms we created for seating. We purposely picked the ones on upper levels to provide views to the visitors. It was also surprisingly strong. It passed our safety tests and about 10 of us were hanging down from the grids during the structure.
Safety Notes •Be aware of the surroundings! While you work on construction many people come and go, and distract you. •You can’t control everything! Sometimes you cut, drill and move with others you cant control everything. Don’t rush on finishing the work done and keep your eyes open. •Don’t work on the things that require full of your senses. Especially when you are behind schedule there will be days that you will be working 12 hours on the site. •Be steady when operating the tools. Don’t try to drill hanging upside down from the tree. •When you are done working make sure you store everything properly and everything is ready for the next work session. •Be very careful when you are using the miter saw. Don’t act like you are professional. •Always switch of the tools when you are not using. This way you save battery and avoid accidents. •Make sure you have enough light when you are using the tools. •Wear accordingly and be ready for weather changes. Don’t try to drill or cut when you are shaking from the cold. •If you are going to work when the school is closed, make sure you have your safety glass and gloves with you.
Recommendations For Future Students Team Managers, •Don’t try to predict who would work and who wouldn’t. You get surprising results. •Make sure people don’t come to work with empty stomach they will be looking to leave earlier and rush their work. •Don’t get to harsh, it drives group members away. They feel less belonged and even start thinking to drop the class. •If there is a conflict, tell them you understand what they mean and we should be doing their way. Most of the time they won’t be doing whatever they wanted to do and they will go with the flow. •Try to be reliable, don’t get emotional and don’t bear hard feelings to anyone until the work is done. •You might think you wont need anything from the person who doesn't’t contribute much but at the end they might have the skills you need for the project. All Members, •Praise everything that is complete. Thank to people who works, and finishes their tasks. •Don’t just disagree on the things, try to give advices and to look for solutions. •Don’t bring your personal problems to the group project. Everyone have a lot in their plate. •Don’t be ignorant. Don’t make other members feel like you don’t care. •Always try to explain yourself in a clearer way. •Before complaining about others see your mistakes. Start to fix from yourselves. •Don’t forget you are in the same boat if the boat goes down, everyone drowns! •Before leaving always plan the next meeting and make sure tools, extensional cord and other thing you will need be available.
SWOT Development Strengths: I work hard. I think it was the biggest strengths of mine. During the construction I was always ready to cover my group mates and didn't mind at all. I can be a reliable group member and finish the work assigned in time.
Weaknesses: I easily reflect the frustration or anger I am feeling to the people who I
worked with. Most of the time it drives people away from me. I should me more flexible and try to be less punctual and perfectionist.
Opportunity: The final group project in my early career was a great experience and give
me an opportunity to see my weaknesses. At the end of the project I overcome the weaknesses and develop a better relationships with group members.
Threat: I still have a lot to improve on my vision. My literal sense keeps me far from being fully productive.
Final Reflection I wouldn’t know how hard the construction can be. I always saw people use the tools and work on the construction. I volunteered myself in many construction sites and I was always around one. But second part of the ARCH 101 was different. I was sticking my neck out and responsible for our own project. Being behind the schedule was never this much stressful. Fear of the fail was never this stronger. I am glad I had this opportunity to see what is really like designing and constructing your own project. I can see that my perspective on design will be changing from now on. I am glad that we were given this opportunity in our early design career and education. I am looking forward for the next ones…
“There is no substitude for hard work.” Thomas A. Edison
Thank You!