Midterm Learning Portfolio Architecture Studio 101 Oksana Tabunshchykova
Content
Icebreaker. Iteration 1
Language. Iteration 3
Icebreaker. Iteration 2
Proportions. Iteration 4
Kit of Parts
Space. Iteration 5
Content
Space. Iteration 6
Frame Expressions. Iteration 9
Space. Iteration 7
Surface Expressions. Iteration 10
Space. Iteration 8
Precedence & Architectural Responses to Nature
Icebreaker•Iterarion 1 Objective On a 8-1/2 inch x 11-inch stiff piece of cardboard, organize twelve (12) similar objects that you either found and modified; or created. Arranged objects cannot extend more than 8-1/2 inches perpendicular to the plane of the cardboard base; nor may these objects extend beyond an imaginary 8-1/2 inch x 11-inch x 8-1/2-inch rectangular volume in which the cardboard base forms one “face” of this volume.
Working process Before to start I was thinking about what I like. I was looking around for inspiration. I my neighborhood I have a tree with bark like paper. I took bark, sawn wood, and a pinecone. I want to show beauty of texture, difference shapes from the same material (wood), sizes contrast.
What is the value of repetition in design? What are the types of repetition?
Critique Observation
Repetition gives us feeling of rhythm. The same material wood was represented in different shapes. In the 1st row sets of the elements represent chaos. In the 2d row elements arranged radially. In the 3d I put pieces of wood mixed different way. In the 4th row repetition of bark pieces. I think, that the 2d and 4th rows are the best in understanding of repetition. In the 2d row all elements organizes radially, but each element from other material. .
• Too plane almost 2 dementional. • Composition is not ballanced. • There is not enough logic behind the desing presentation.
Iteration 2 •Icebreaker Objective Based on what your learned during your first critique session, create a second generation of your initial constructed compositions adhering to the same limitations and requirements.
Working process Working under 2d iteration I was thinking how to enhance my work according with critique points and how to keep in my work what I like. So I thinking about the process of finding solution. I decided that it would be a good idea behind my design. So I started with something unclear and with chaos, that represent pieces of bark from the left top and right bottom corner. Then we reorganize and chose parts from chaos. then we organize what we have chosen. Little by little we put those things together finding a solution. .
Successful parts • More 3 dimensional. • Balance space between separate parts of composition. • More structural and align composition. • There is a center point that emphasized with color and second level in composition. • There is more logic.
Weaknesses • In first part I liked different textures that was lost in my second iteration.
Kit of Parts
Objective Deconstruct your selected iteration, No. 1, No. 2, or a hybrid of ideas imbued in previous iterations; and design a kit of parts
Challenges In my design there are too many parts they are all different shape and size. For top view I did couple photos trying to avoid offset and after that I retrace them. I decided to do more detailed analysis for only one part of my design. Then I retrace each small elements from 2d iteration and was tying to fined similarity. After that I simplified these shapes to quadrangles. And did approximate shape in SketchUp where was easier to see elevations.
Kit of Parts
SketchUp Kit of Parts
Top View
Elevation
Perspective View
Language •Iteration 3 Objective Use your or your classmate the kit of part from previous iteration to create a new model. Create a narrative that reflect your design.
Working process and challenges This time I first time use the glue gun and form shape. At the begining it was challenging I didn’t know how to control the amount of glue and how to put sticks together at a predetermined angle. I found an insperation at the Bay for my new model.
Narrative If you approach a shape from different angles you will see symmetrical, open framed space. Itis very dynamic, but in the same time it’s balance. Combination of different triangles forms the diamond shape. Two shapes in the middle pose
the strength and weight of all shape. This is visual focal point of the figure. The sticks that shapes triangles provide speed and dynamic in composition. I was inspired by sailing boats in the San Francisco Bay. They were fast, light and bright. I want others to see speed and motion in the static thing. I want them
questioning them-self: From which planet is this? Is it a new antenna or a starship? Or if you tern picks up/down you might see the reflection and draw in your imagination boats sliding over the water.
Proportions•Iterartion 4 Objective
Create a series of scale and proportional transformations that alter the size and dimensional relationships of your design elements and tighten the correspondence between your written narrative and your constructed design.
As proportional system I choose Fibonacci sequence: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21... The proportional system had crucial impact into my design quality. How shape and sticks look together . It seams all are on there places. The shape is light and elegant. Contrast between small and big parts creates dramatic look and express speed. Now the center of composition is lighter and our eyes slides from right to left and from left to right. I can easily see gliding sailing boat over the water.
Iterartion 4•Proportions
Working proces I decided experiment with different materials in my works. This time I was working with paper. I found it very interresting but I had to be pattient to finish my work.
Space•Iteration 5
Objective Progressively scale up to a larger size selecting the most interesting aspect of the small-scale model that defines space as a hierarchically layered void as may be experienced from a six–directions-plus-center set of perceptions. Create two iterations of scaled up studies based upon your last model produced during Week 4 (Proportions).
Working process Making this new shape I learned more about space. This double scaled model shows the frame space “closer”, more detailed. This scaled model looks little different and for future I will know that small model and scaled up can gives us different feelings. I kept the Fibonachi sequence proportionce. I framed space with different triangles. I used different materials.
Iteration 6•Space
In this scaled shape I showed some new space that we couldt see earlier. Space is shaped by lines and surfaces. Triangles are moving. Mainly tha inside space is shaped only smol piece is exetnded that and some feeling of freedom to the viewers.
Space•Iteration 7
Iteration 7•Space Objective Photograph aspects of your model from different viewpoints and distances. Print these images and spray mount to a stiff cardboard backing. Then cut these images out with a sharp matte knife blade and reassemble in an architectural montage or three-dimensional constructed collage such that these forms define new spaces that have a felt geometry and a hierarchy of spatial qualities, i.e. spaces of different shapes and sizes within a larger space. The assessment criteria are the same as above.
Challenges Doing the first iteration of this model I was strugle becouse I couldn’t see the new space. I wanted something new and different I want people see the speed and fast movement but not sailing boats. But I forgot little bit about the space. I guess the second iteration forms space better inside and outside and at the same time it is very dinamic and evoke to play with it like transformer spaceship. My interest in “Star Treck“ series had influence to this shape. That was not intentionaly.
Space•Iteration 8
I learned this time a lot about lighting and how it influence to perception of space. These two models under directed light frame space absolutely different then without.
Iteration 8•Space
Critique observation • In the first shape there are not enough planes that form space obviously without lighting. • The second shape is little obvious.
Frame Expressions •Iteration 9
Objective I choose the design that I like I was Iteration... I was thinking about how to enhance and promote the most significant part of my desight. I was thinking about speed, but in the same time incorporste more structure into design.
Successful parts
Weaknesses
• More structure and frame that shape space. • My craft is more neat and handful(skilful). • There are a lot of new spaces that flow one into another. • There is line thickness hierarchy. • Proportions and relationship between shapes parts are organic. • When you look at the shape you see strength and stability. • I can write a new narrative.
Too straight angle that do not convey sense what I was thinking about- Speed.
Iteration 10•Surface Expressions
Objective
Successful parts
Refocus the evolution of your design by reconfiguring the constituent parts into readable expressions of frame and surfaces.
• Proportions are elegant. • Skin gradually open and hide structure. • There is hierarchy in triangles that frame space. • I learned to form the space I need closed and opened sections which reveal and hide parts of space. • Pictures allows us to detect more interesting unseen spaces. If you take a look at the last
I correct my shape to promote speed, lightness and motion.
image, you will see layered spaces underneath that seemed flow into opposite sides.
Weaknesses The shape glued. There are no connection parts. • There are not enough frame contraction and I lost flowing of space.
Nature
Nature Precedence & Architectural Responses to Nature
I made a research about two different types of building. The first one is De Young Museum. The place for esthetic pleasure, learning, and inspiration. The second building is a residential project. The place where people live.
de Young Museum
Location: Golden Gate park. The weather conditions: bright sun, wind and fog. The Architects Primary Designer: Herzog & de Meuron, Basel, Switzerland, and San Francisco, California
Principal Architects: Fong & Chan Architects, San Francisco, California
Landcape Architect: Walter Hood, Hood Design, Oakland, California
Contractor: Swinerton and Walberg Builders
de Young Museum
Site view
de Young Museum From the south, the museum faces California Academy of Science. They are devided with beuatiful alley.
de Young Museum From the north and west side museum is surounded more wild nature of the park and driving road.
Windows To illuminate artworks museums don’t need direct sunlight. So to protect inside space and art works from moisture and heat penetration windows were tinted and ribboned. Conditioning system heats and cools inside and outside that keeps the same temperature all year around.
Walls The walls are one of the main distinguished features of the design. They are made from perforated copper panels. They were chosen for its quality through oxidation, will assume a rich patina over time that will blend gracefully with the surrounding natural environment. That perforated pattern also is in the museum logo.
de Young Museum Roof The roof is not straight that don’t allow heating evenly. It also shaped as a part whole design composition and reminds landscape view from the top. I will say more about it later.
Tower The tower has spiral shape. It is covered with copper panel too. The different size of embossings have different translucence that creates illusion of fog. It might have practical adaptation to protect balconies form leaves.
The tower shape remineds me stepped houses on the surounding hills Richmond and Sunset neighborhoods. It also serves as working spaces. In addition, the public observation floor offers panoramic views of the entire Bay Area
North From the left side there is a tower with a lot of windows to illuminate working space with indirect light. In addition, windows show gorgeous eucalyptuses and greens of park. The grid of panels dims inside space and protect from over heating.
There are no windows from the right side of the building. The ventilation system is hidden behind the galleries where are no windows. So designers found wisely technical and aesthetically beautiful solution.
de Young Museum East The pathway from the Fulton street leads to the east entrance door. The big windows to the hall allows to penetrate light in the morning and indirect light during the day .
South
de Young Museum
The main entrance is located at the south. There are only several narrow windows on a facade and couple more hidden under extended wall. Entering you will get into a small courtyard. I guess it has double meaning. The first one, windows from the hallway face to the small courtyard that allow to lighten inside space on the firs floor and a stairway on the second floor. The second is connection with the past. Old style european and midle-east architecture solutions often had inner cortyard.
West From the west side extended roof overhangs a cafeteria with large windows and beautiful garden on the fist floor, and the observing room on the second floor. It works as a cooling unit for all building and create shadow in the garden. The roof as a separate element is valuable as sculpture element.
de Young Museum
Native Daughters of the Golden West Home in San Francisco Architect: Julia Morgan Julia Morgan was born January 20, 1872 and died February 2, 1957. She was the first woman to be admitted to the architecture program at l’École nationale supérieure des BeauxArts in Paris and the first woman architect licensed in California. She designed many buildings for institutions serving women and girls including YWCA buildings and buildings for Mills College in Oakland. The Native Daughters of the Golden West is a fraternal and patriotic organization founded on the principles of Love of Home Devotion to the Flag Veneration of the Pioneers Faith in the Existence of God The concept of establishing a Native Daughters of the Golden West Home—a place of security, comfort and friendly companionship. I consider this building as residential property.
Location: 555 Baker St, North Panhandle, San Francisco Weather conditions: sun and fog.
Architecture Studio 101
NDGW Home in SF
NDGW Home in SF This is a residential neighborhood with schools, kindergartens, DMV and residential three-four story buildings.
NDGW Home in SF There are no windows from South and North(there is another building that border with it). The building designed and located that way that I can assume it is cool inside. The absence of windows can be explain to protect building from heat, or, probably it was not allowed to design windows from neighbors side.
NDGW Home in SF This building doesn’t look very inviting because of iron lattice but it refllects probably Native Daughter of Golden West spirit as elegant but strong and confident community. There is a fact,the home was built in 1929, total cost was $91,000, in August 1932 the Home became free and clear of debt. This was a remarkable achievement considering it was accomplished by women in the middle of the Great Depression!
Nature Conclusion Designing with nature means to be visually and mentally connected with nature but it doesn’t mean to look like nature elements but only hint and remind about natural structure. It can look for example like De Young Museum tower that has spiral and stepped shape but it reminds us about stepped building on hills around the Golden Gate Park. It is very important to consider sun light and direction, humidity, natural pass-ways, material changes with time and, of corse, a building use.
Reflection of the learning process
This semester was the most challenging but at the same time very inspiring. I have learned how to work with different material such as paper and wood. I understood that every material demands using tools and specific approach. I was trying to work with wire but it demands specific tools and understanding of quality and features of it, so I stayed with paper and wood. I will try to experiment with wire next part of the semester. I have learned how to show and not show ideas in design. I understood that in design my and others feelings about design are important. Even if I don’t know some theory I can rely on what I see: look at work and ask my-self what do I feel about structure, shape, proportions? I have learned a lot new about shape and space. Analysis of others works and making my own things help to understand these match better. In future to enhance my learning process I will be more consistent with my written reflection.
Reflection of the learning process
In addition, I learned about my self this semester, the way how I organize things. I leaned about time management that I have to add at least one day if I need to do big work, because I feel that there is not enough time. I am very exited about experimenting with lighting and darkness making photos for future not only learning portfolio. I found out that white light in dark or almost dark room gives sharp shadow. I am open for new exiting work and experiments in next couple months of the semester and the rest of my life.