SKETCH BOOK NOTES
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Collection of observations.
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PHOTO GALLERY CAPITOL BUILDING The ornate detail of the architecture creates layers of design. All the design symbols and elements are symbolic of creating a specific experience. Here, the rotunda and symmetrical room reflects perfection. The center art piece and natural light entering from above emulate the heavens. The painting along the circumference emulates historic stories. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Motifs in the Library borrow from the design ideas of Greek and Romans but emulate stories about America’s culture and progress. In the photograph, these cherubs reflect common symbols associated to the ancients but have been made anew by reflecting ideas of American culture. The cherubs represent jobs associated to American progression.
SUPREME COURT When journeying to the Supreme Court, the scale of the structure was overwhelming even from a distance. It reminded me of temples associated to the Greek and Romans as a place of power. That feelings is equally pronounced in this structure with the use of exaggerated height and scale of the columns. The repetitive forms made walking through the columns to the entrance an intimate experience. It almost forces you to acknowledge how significant the scale is in comparison to human scale up close.
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Today, we discussed the theme of founding ideas associated to important landmarks of American culture. Structures such as the Capitol Building, Supreme Court, and Library of Congress reflected Greek
Day 1: September 11, 2019 Nikola Tong, Landscape Architecture, Washington D.C Studio Field Trip
and Roman design ideas of scale, alignment, expression, light, narrative, and form. By borrowing forms from the ancients, these structures reflect symbolism and emulate the power that was associated to Greeks and Romans. The scale of the Supreme Court is exaggerated by placing the structure on a podium and constructing the pillars to be oversized. Visitors experience the feeling of entering a space of power. Using materials that were built to last imply the importance of
the structure as a symbol. Alignment of Washington D.C is intentional with where buildings of government are located in regards to topography and each other. We noticed the extreme attention to sculpted details that are often associated to the masters. Sculptures and motifs use the expressions of the human body as a mode of storytelling.
NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY In relation to our project theme, I associated the design of this space to using familiar forms in an unfamiliar way. The water feature reminds me of natural pools of water during rain. The shallowness of the water creates a reflection pool and questions how we can imagine them. It does not have the typical characteristics of most pools with an obvious physical depth. Instead, the topography is very subtle creating a natural feeling to the water feature.
Bobby Brooks Memorial Interdisciplinary Design Studio , Fall 2019, Irma Ramirex & Andy Wilcox
PHOTO GALLERY
SKETCH BOOK NOTES Collection of observations.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY & CULTURE I was very intrigued by the suspended form of the staircase within the museum. It reflects a constructed use of design to create an experience. As people enter the stairs, they are hidden from the exterior. But, they also are hidden from looking over the stairway. It creates a forced view and experience.
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NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY & CULTURE Art as an expression of culture and narrative is powerful. This piece stood out to me because of the bright colors and materials used. There is a sense of rawness of feelings from the twisted forms of the piece. However, the colors and patterns emulate the vibrancy associated to the artist’s pride in their culture. Their use of turning familiar scraps into unfamiliar, new artwork is powerful.
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NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN This void as a water feature was a creative element. The decision to create almost a seamless waterfall with little to no back-splash made the circular form stand out from a distance. Upon closer observation, I was surprised by the subtle use of water to create a void space. The absence of the form from the body of water draws attention to itself.
ANALYSIS *During this trip I was unable to attend the White House or Hirshhorn visit.
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Day 2: September 12, 2019
Today, our visits were associated to how design can keep cultures alive. Our visit to the museums gave us an experience of how cultures used design techniques and methods to emulate the core of their history.
Nikola Tong, Landscape Architecture, Washington D.C Studio Field Trip
Storytelling is reflected in both the exterior and interior of the structures and how they create exhibits. In the African American Museum, the journey that I experienced begins with narrow , compact passageways, and dark exhibits. As we move on, we are lead to the upper open floors with natural sunlight. It is a form of storytelling their historical journey. The exterior lattice work holds a strong symbolic gesture of allowing sunlight into the space as a
representation of opening up about talking about race. It is a powerful gesture of acknowledging the past but also looking towards the future by sharing their history with others. The exterior of the American Indian Museum stood out to me as reminiscence of the natural rock facade and dwelling of Indian tribes. The curvilinear form of the building reflects plate tectonics that create cliffs and caverns often found in Native American culture.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN What caught my interest is the use of void, as the dark space, light, and color. Their use of crating panels of gradient color imply the natural color created from light as it disperse across a form. It creates the illusion of drawing our attention to the dark space as the center of this light.
Bobby Brooks Memorial Interdisciplinary Design Studio , Fall 2019, Irma Ramirex & Andy Wilcox
SKETCH BOOK NOTES
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Collection of observations.
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Today, we analyzed the design methods used on sites for internment, memorialization, and remembrance. In particular, the Arlington Cemetery was a site that represented different methods of
Day 3: September 13, 2019 Nikola Tong, Landscape Architecture, Washington D.C Studio Field Trip
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY The cemetery is unique in the way that time is reflected. While the headstone’s white color and material still appear pristine despite age, the growth of trees physically acknowledges the passage of time. It create a serene experience witnessing the grid arrangement of the markers among the natural growth of trees. ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY The most common grave marker in the cemetery were white, marble simple forms. Together, they created rows of repetitive forms that appeared to extend off into the distance. The question that these grave markers brought up, is the idea of what they represent by using the same marker. On one hand, it can be associated to how the military is seen as a single unit as part of a whole structure. On the other, it can question whether it takes away the individuality of the deceased away by conforming them to have all the same marker. KENNEDY MEMORIAL The Kennedy Memorial as a space for remembrance and mourning is unique in design and materials. It does not reflect the typical headstones in the cemetery and creates a subtle space. It is the first grave that I have seen that uses the element of fire to mark the site. The symbol of the eternal flame is a reflection of the long lasting importance that the deceased has had on history.
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memorial. The repetitive, minimal white headstones created a surreal experience for me when faced with the sheer amount of them. In contrast, the US Marine Corps War Memorial represents the tenacity and dedication of our armed forces through the use of the human body. The poses of the sculptured figures represent a strength in how they reach out, hold, stand, and appear to be propelling forward. It captures the powerful message of the memorial as an acknowledgment to
the continued efforts of the Marine Corp. The Pentagon 9/11 Memorial is a space created for gathering people for remembrance. Rather than use grave markers, they used benches to allow people to interact directly with the memorial. I believe this creates a sense of intimacy in the experienced moment. The symbol behind the orientation of the benches is strong and
PENTAGON 9/11 MEMORIAL In relation to our project ideas, this memorial reflects a space that could be associated to gathering and containing people. The seats provides the opportunity for visitors to activate the space. The water flowing underneath the benches reflects the cycle of life. The choice to keep a minimal landscape among the benches draws attention to the form and silhouette of the trees. I felt an association to views I witnessed at Arlington Cemetery. The benches, like the white grave markers, are nestled among the trees in a grid like pattern.
Bobby Brooks Memorial Interdisciplinary Design Studio , Fall 2019, Irma Ramirex & Andy Wilcox
SKETCH BOOK NOTES Collection of observations.
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SMITHSONIAN CASTLE In contrast to the marble structures we have seen during the trip, the castle stood out. It is an example of how material can bring character and narrative to a structure. We learned that the material is Seneca sandstone from Maryland and has a distinctive red hue. The use of local material creates a connection and sense of identity. SMITHSONIAN CASTLE The landscape for the castle is an example of how the exterior experience can be a continuation of the interior experience. The entrance into the building is framed by the scale and form of the trees flanking each side. It is used to show the relationship between the natural and built environment. It is a design method that can be applied to our future design projects.
WASHINGTON MONUMENT From a construction standpoint, the method of relying on gravity/friction and no mortar is astounding. The scale, even from a distance, is reminiscent of the grand obelisks of Egypt. It is a clear landmark of importance and it’s slender form is a contrast to the bulkier structures of other memorials. The friction and gravity that holds the structure together can symbolize the tenacity and endurance of the American spirit.
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ANALYSIS *During this trip I was unable to attend the National Mall Memorial Walk and Holocaust Museum.
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Today, we analyzed monuments and memorials by exploration. Unfortunately I did not make it to today’s monument and memorial
Day 4: September 14, 2019 Nikola Tong, Landscape Architecture, Washington D.C Studio Field Trip
walk. But, speaking from past experiences walking through the mall, I can reflect on the ideas that are associated to them. The scale of the Lincoln Memorial explores use of exaggerated scale and forced perspective to create a moment for visitors. Bridging Lincoln’s Memorial to the Washington Memorial is the Reflection Pond. The use of water as a mirror and creating a shallow, undisturbed surface implies a quiet moment for reflection. Lincoln
Memorial has steps that allow visitors to view easily before they ascend to the statue. In contrast, Martin Luther King’s Memorial moves visitor through a certain journey before allowing them to reach the climax at the statue of his likeness.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS & CAPITOL BUILDING Arc forms as a way to create new spaces. In the first image, a series of arcs aligned on the same viewpoint creates a framed shot for viewers. It attracts the eyes along an invisible line of sight. In the second image, the arcs meet at the center of the roof to create a new dome like form. Lights, as a design element, utilize these new forms by casting shadows.
Bobby Brooks Memorial Interdisciplinary Design Studio , Fall 2019, Irma Ramirex & Andy Wilcox