Arch 20 Oriol Royo Final Learning Portfolio by Oriol Royo Obregon

Final Learning Portfolio

ORIOL ROYO OBREGĂ&#x201C;N

Arch 20. Architectural Graphics I Jerry W. Lum City College of San Francisco

Dog House I. California Barn Inspired Pg. 6

Dog House I. Contemporary Modern Inspired Pg. 8

Cubes in Space Pg. 10

Rapid Visualization Pg. 12

Interior Spatial Studies Pg. 14

Table of Contents

Walls and Rapid Visualization Studies P. 18

Intersect and Follow-me Studies. P. 19

H. Intersect and Follow-me Studies. The Greek town P. 20

Piazza del Campidoglio – Michelangelo Tribute P. 22

Kazimir Malevich Inspired Construction P. 24

A Poetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wall Pg. 28

Geometry of Space Studies Pg. 32

M.1

Folding & Intersecting Studies. The Flotilla & The Desert Shelter Pg. 36

M.2 Folding & Intersecting Studies. The Folded Lattice Museum Pg. 40

M.3

Folding & Intersecting Studies. The Modern Stable P. 42

Table of Contents

Stamp and Drape Exercises. P. 44

Sand box tools - Storyboard P. 46

P. Home – Documenting Existing Conditions & Designing a New Kitchen. P. 50

Q. PhotoMatch. Rin’s Gallery, Ando Tadao P. 56

R. FINAL PROJECT. Sol Duc Inspired Project P. 60

My first dog house has been inspired by a Northern California barn located in the town of Geyserville. During my trips to Mendocino County I always found this building fascinating. In order to design the barn I used a basic dog house structure to which I incorporated two side additions with a lower roof. FRONT VIEW

Because of the bigger size of a barn, the dog house evolved to a dog park located in a atrium with plenty of room to play. I incorporated four cupolas to the roof to give a greater architectural interest to the structure but also for passive ventilation purposes. The barn is facing south to take advantage of the natural light but during the warm season that will create an overheating problem. By closing the south windows and opening both the north window and dormer windows, a natural breeze that cools down the structure can be created.

SIDE VIEW

The front door of the structure consists in two sliding doors.

Geyserville Barn

BACK VIEW

A. Dog House 1 REFLECTIONS • Strengths: a. Size and proportions of the barn are pleasant and based on reality. b. The use of a color palette that accomplish the goal of creating a barn inspired on an existing structure. c. Use of “entourage” proportion.

provide

PERSPECTIVE

visual

• Weaknesses: a. Amount of time required to built the model by not using the SketchUp tools to their full potential. b. The use of textures for the landscaping, the roof and the concrete atrium could be improved. VIGNETTE

• Opportunities:

VIGNETTE

a. Better use of tools such as the “move” tool and groups or components that allow to reduce the amount of time and effort used to built the model. b. Better use of shadows to create interesting and appealing environments.

• Threats: a. Getting caught in small details in early stages of the design.

PERSPECTIVE

For the second dog house I decided to explore a complete different design style but always trying to design a realistic and proportionate space. Before starting with the design I brainstormed potential adjectives that an imaginary client could provide during a first meeting. FRONT VIEW

The adjectives used for the design were minimalistic, industrial, innovative and eco-friendly.

modern,

The proposed design incorporates a xeriscape for water friendly and low-maintenance yard.

The material palette -concrete, metal and wood- adds an industrial but cozy feeling to the dog house.

BACK VIEW

The materials, straight lines of the design and the floating deck provide a modern look to the dog house while the butterfly roof with exposed beans that extend to create a pergola provide an innovative design. The house faces south to take advantage of the sun light, the long overhangs let the direct sun light to go inside the structure during winter while they avoid it during summer. The north high windows along with the operable bottom part of the southern windows create a natural breeze to cool and ventilate the space.

SIDE VIEW

The north windows also allow indirect light to flow inside the dog house and they create a frame of an intimate view of the sky.

B. Dog House I1 REFLECTIONS • Strengths: a. Achievement of the materialization of the “client” requirements b. Realistic design and interesting design. c. Improved use of tools and groups • Weaknesses:

NORTH VIEW

a. The amount of time required to built the model is still big. b. There are some non realistic features such as the suspended stair and the distance/ proportion of the beams that need to be improved. • Opportunities: a. Learn how to better incorporate and modify elements from the 3D warehouse.

SOUTH-EAST VIEW

b. Learn how to modify colors, textures and styles to create more unique and appealing designs. • Threats: a. Getting too comfortable with familiar tools and operating strategies and not exploring better strategies that could save time and improve the quality of the final product.

NORTH_WEST VIEW

For the cubes in arrays exercise I decided to create an atypical cube with three symmetrical openings in the top front corner (refer to x-ray image). T h e t h re e o p e n i n g s c re a t e a m o re interesting structure which will allow me to experiment with shadows and they way they are projected into the ground and in the same cube. BASIC CUBE

X-RAY CUBE

I also choose elegant colors for the cube, dark grey for the exterior, orange-gold for the wall cuts and light grey for the interior. For this exercise I used a lot the groups. By grouping the cube and the rows of cubes, I was able to in a time efficient manner create some captivating combinations. The first combination that I created mimics a pyramid. The pyramid has an 11 by 11 base that gradually becomes smaller towards the top. Each row of the pyramid is a different group therefore I experimented with creating groups of groups.

PYRAMID

I found fascinating the shadow is casted in the ground because of the shape of it and because you can appreciate the openings of the top cubes.

C. Cubes in Space For the second combination, a cube made of my basic cubes and that replicates its shape and that preserves its proportion. . Again, the way the shadow are casted in the grounds is very interesting.

CUBE OF CUBES

Using groups made this exercise very easy but not using components made more difficult for me to experiment with color combinations.

REFLECTIONS • Strengths: a. Use of groups. b. Interesting color palette • Weaknesses: a. I didn’t explore the components option.

VIEW FROM THE INTERIOR

• Opportunities: a. Better use of groups and use of components. b. Experiment with more color combinations. • Threats: a. Getting too comfortable with a color palette and forget to experiment and enjoy with new options.

The rapid visualization exercises were completely unknown for me before Arch 20. They are being a little bit challenging but very interesting. They are also helping me to understand better how views, proportions and perspectives work and their importance to make my designs more understandable to the public. The combination of hand drawing and SketchUp is being very inspiring, while SketchUp is a great tool to speed up the process, the hand drawing part is being priceless in order to understand it.

D. Rapid Visualization REFLECTIONS • Strengths: a. Even if being something unknown I am practicing a lot. b. I

a m p re t t y c o m f o r ta b l e drawing straight lines.

• Weaknesses: a. Circles and curves very challenging.

are

being

b. I need to use reference lines for every figure • Opportunities: a. Learn more about perspectives. b. Start understanding better the proportions will reduce my need of using reference lines. . • Threats: a. N o t p ra ct i c i n g e n o u g h a n d relying too much in computerized tools.

HAND SKETCHES, IDEAS & INSPIRATIONS

For the Interior Spatial Studies exercise I experimented with several different types o f s h a p e s i n o rd e r t o understand the effect that they can have in the exact same room. Before I started working with SketchUp, I hand draw and explored several different patterns. In order to get some inspiration and ideas, I look online for images of Arabic and Hispanic patterns. I also experimented with circular patterns, even if design wise they are circles are not my favorite figure. Besides using different shapes I also play with their scale and their color. I realized that in general, parallel shapes â&#x20AC;&#x201C;in relation with the depth of the room- make the s pa c e f e e l l o n g e r w h i l e narrower while perpendicular lines make the space feel smaller (see Image 1 and 2 as a clear example).

E. Interior Spatial Studies When comparing the same shape, smaller sizes make the space feel busier than bigger sizes (see figures 7 and 8).

The color of the material has also a huge impact in the room, while for some purposes bright colors can be interesting, they can take over the space and reduce the importance of other objects. Some of my patterns that I created clear dramatic shapes such as the image 9 and 14 and even 3D representations such as figures 21, 22 and 23.

For this exercise I experimented with several other patterns that didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make the cut since they were too plain or too unappealing.

E. Interior Spatial Studies REFLECTIONS • Strengths: a. Fo r t h i s e x e rc i s e I u s e d components for the first time, which was very useful to replicate the building structure. That facilitate my work when creating the patterns since I didn’t have any obstruction. b. I

used the move/copy very efficiently.

c. I

experimented with colors that I never used before.

tool

• Weaknesses: a. I didn’t experiment with other wall colors or with other window shapes. b. I could have play more with scales and colors instead as I did with geometries. • Opportunities: a. Learn how to better express, w i t h t h e a p p ro p r i a t e language, the feelings that my design can evoke.

• Threats: a. I completely forgot about the amount of time that I using for this exercise, which was pleasant and somehow is g re a t b u t I n e e d t o b e realistic with my timing and always keep in mind deadlines.

F. Walls and Rapid Visualization Studies

In order to practice m y h a n d d ra f t s , I looked online for â&#x20AC;&#x153;people in architectural sketchesâ&#x20AC;? and I start a page in my dot pad with sketches. This exercise was very entertaining but more challenging than I though.

The sketch on the top left was drawn during the class lesson, The other three sketches include the in-class exercise in which we were challenged to draw 25 walls in 10 min. The top right sketch includes the strategy that I followed to meet the challenge. To meet the challenge I calculated how many many similar walls can I create by just changing their thickness and height.

People Sketches

I also wanted to do the same with trees but I got caught with a landscape image and I end up sketching a small patio. My drafting skills need more practice but t h i s wa s a g o o d starting. Note that I use the knowledge gain with the cubes exercises to draw the patio. Landscape Perspective Sketch

G. Follow-Me Studies The Sketchup Follow-Me tool is a little bit more challenging than the previous tools that we learned. This tools involves a greater knowledge of sketchup and requires a t h o ro u g h preparation of the model. These two images represent the in-class exercise that we performed in order to learn and gain confidence with this tool. The in-class exercise was a very good practice to learn about the power of this tool.,

I still need to incorporate the follow-me tool in what I named my Sketchup Language or Sketchup Thinking. I am realizing that in order to be a master with Sketchup I have to think like Sketchup. Class after class and week after week, I am becoming more fluent in this language and it is very rewarding.

FRONT VIEW

The Intersect & Follow-Me Studies had been very challenging. Creating handrails and guardrails required a lot of attention and it force me to use almost all the previous tools learned during the previous weeks. Intersecting geometries and then their faces definitely facilitates a lot the task of creating doors and windows with uncommon shapes. I am sure there are still several other applications for this tools to discover. For the weekly exercise I decided to create a small (very small) Greek town. I got the inspiration for this design from my summer trip in which I was island hoping in Greece. With more time and after improving my groups and components skills I could create a bigger and nicer town. For this week project I got two bonus points. The first one is the Soften tool, which hides the selected edges and creates a merged surface from them. The second bonus point is the Texture Position tool which allows to modify the characteristics of a texture selected for a surface.

CLOSE-UP

H. Interior Spatial Studies REFLECTIONS • Strengths: a. I felt very comfortable using a big arrange of the tools that we learned in previous weeks. b. Creating handrails was challenging but after almost breaking my computer several I was able to do it. • Weaknesses: a. The amount of time required to create the railings with the Follow Me tool.

FRONT PERSPECTIVE

b. I didn’t experiment with more cupolas or different types of railings. • Opportunities: a. There is a lot of room for me to learn and improve the way I use the follow me tool. • Threats: a. With this tool I need to practices more since I am still not a 100% confidents about how to use it. For future exercises I should force my self to use it. BACK PERSPECTIVE

The Piazza del Campidoglio exercise was very entertaining but challenging. It required a lot of attention and even if the different steps were clearly explained there were some tricky steps that required to pay a lot of attention. I wanted to slightly personalized my Piazza by adding a second type of bricks that had a darker tone. Using two types of bricks created the feeling of being in a spiral. The images above show the steps that I followed to create my Piazza

I. Piazza del Campidoglio – Michelangelo Tribute

REFLECTIONS • Strengths: a. I felt very comfortable following the instructions provided by the instructor. b. Every new exercise I feel more and more comfortable using a big array of tools.. • Weaknesses: a. I didn’t read all the instructions at the beginning. Because of that step back several times. b. I am not creating scenes as I should, just exporting the images. c. Opportunities: a. This exercise showed me that .even if a pattern or structure seems very complicated it can be solved and replicated by breaking it down in different steps. • Threats: a. It

is important to pay attention to the details, the instructions and to understand since the beginning what is the expected outcome of a project. I didn’t do it for this exercise I should be more careful.

NOTE:

I downloaded the buildings surrounding my piazza Warehouse, I only had to properly place it and resize it.

from

the

BUILDING AND CONTEXT

BACK VIEW

SUPREMATISM 1915

Kazimir Malevich (February 23, 1878 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 15, 1935) was the founder of the artistic and philosophical school of Suprematism, and his ideas about forms and meaning in art would e v e n t u a l l y c o n s t i t u t e t h e t h e o re t i c a l underpinnings of non-objective, or abstract, art. Malevich worked in a variety of styles, but his most important and famous works concentrated on the exploration of pure geometric forms (squares, triangles, and circles) and their relationships to each other and within the pictorial space. Because of his contacts in the West, Malevich was able to transmit his ideas about painting to his fellow artists in Europe and the United States, thus profoundly influencing the evolution of modern art â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Art Story.

J. Kazimir Malevich Inspired Construction

VIGNETTE, PARKING LOT & ENTRANCE

CLOSE UP, STAIIRS

CLOSE UP, ROOF DECK

CLOSE UP, MAIN ENTRANCE

Symmetry, proportions and relations between the elements that compose my building played a very important role for this design. In order to give a human scale to my design I use different entourage such as cars and vegetation.

BIRD’S-EYE VIEW

WORM”S-EYE VIEW

BIRD’S-EYE VIEW

In order to show the magnificence and monumentality of my structure I used the bird’s eye view –a perspective seen from above, as by a bird in flight- and worm’s eye view –a perspective seen from a low or inferior position- learned in previous sessions. In order to design this building, besides using Malevich’s art, I was inspired from the design performed from the instructor during week 6 but also from Yavok Chernikhov reading.

J. Kazimir Malevich Inspired Construction FRONT VIEW

REFLECTIONS • Strengths: a. I created an aesthetically pleasant design, even if at the beginning I wasn’t feeling very inspired from Malevich’s art. b. Using a 2D image to inspire a 3D design is a new technique that I will incorporate in my repertoire of ‘tricks’ to find inspiration when designing. ° Weaknesses: a. When exporting my images I have not been very careful about the imported background. I should play with the camera in order to take better shots. b. I have to improve the way I use and place the images that I am importing from the 3d warehouse.

° Opportunities:

SIDE VIEW

a. The use of different backgrounds can create more appealing sketch up designs. I need to start practicing with them in future projects. b. Using other artists creations to inspire my own designs opened a new dimensions to me. c. I realized that the 3d warehouse is created by other sketch up users. I want to incorporate my own 3d elements to the warehouse and share them with other users as well as to start following users that have designs that are appealing to me. • Threats: a. I need to ensure that I don’t copy or replicate other people’s design but I just get inspiration and I gain ownership of my designs

WALL SKETCHES I

WALL SKETCHES II

The two images above represent the rapid visualization exercise performed to identify potential wall options. The last sketch (right image, bottom sketch) was the wall selected to explore my wall option with SketchUp.

K. A Poet’s Wall

SketchUp is a great tool that allows to quickly and easily explore different design options. In order to efficiently use all the power of SketchUp, it is extremely important to understand how to use its different features and tools such as groups, components, the scale tool and so on. During the in class exercise we create a big arrange of wall types.

WALL SKETCHES I

The design process for creating the walls was as follows. We started with a basic form (16’ height & 20’ wide rectangle) and then, before proceeding with any modification, we duplicated the original shape. For each step/wall copy we changed just one variable, either the height, the width, the shape or other. This approach allowed us to sketch a big arrange of walls, not all of them with value but all of them good to drive the design process and select only the wall features appealing for the design. The first wall that we created during the in-class exercise had a non conventional almost like a cave shape with openings, steps and different vibrant colors.

WALL SKETCHES II

For my personal exercise I design more formal wall made of industrial yet earthy materials such as CorTen steel, concrete and reclaimed wood.

WALL SKETCHES III

For my first wall design I use the instructor in-class design as a reference.

PERSPECTIVE

Honestly, the style of this wall was not very inspiring to me at the beginning since I got caught in the idea of creating a more traditional and ‘utilitarian’ wall. After seeing the potential of this design style and the appealing and intriguing shapes t h a t c a n be c re a t e d , m y interest increased and I saw the potential of SketcUp to create more ‘Gaudinian’ shapes.

PERSPECTIVE

CLOSE-UP

Repetition, duplication, rotation and scale are some techniques that can quickly create a context and more interesting structure. If I can return to this exercise I would like to play with the land shape to create even more interesting volumes. I am looking forward to learn about the Sand Box tool in week 12, which will help me to play with the terrain shape.

K. A Poetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wall

ORIGINAL PART OF THE WALL

FROINT VIEW

PERSPECTIVE

Notice that my wall is not finished yet. I looked at the Week 8 Exercise and I decided to I proceed with a join week exercise. For this wall I starting by hand sketching a wall consisting in three rectangular shapes that intersect with each other. The taller and protective wall creates the background as well as the first structure to be seen when approaching the wall. The medium size rectangle, made of concrete contains a fountain and also serves as a backrest for the seat created by the third rectangle. The bench surrounds the concrete fountain, breaking its hardiness and creating additional seating space. With this design a created a wall that has hierarchy and some different events happening at the same time. The taller rectangle has also a built in planter that, along with the fountain create an inviting space to seat and relax. The design evolved and I add a fourth wall made of perforated CorTen steel to create interesting shadow shapes and create a sense of semi privacy. On the back area, the CorTen wall evolves in a pergola (in progress) that creates the entrance to the patio of the restaurant that I am designing.

For the week before the mid term evaluation, we we re c h a l l e n g e d with a project that summarizes all the tools and methods learned d u r i n g t h e p rev i o u s weeks.

PERSPECTIVE

I decided to create a structure inspired from the instructor examples and f ro m my classmates work in a different class. My building is divided in two main areas, an old s t r u ct u re m a d e o f brick and stone and a second and modern s t r u ct u re m a d e o f glass and metal. T h e s t r u ct u re c a n h ave t wo d i f f e re n t uses. It can host a p o l i c e s ta t i o n o r a library in the second floor of the old structure and in the new building and a multipurpose open yet protected space in the ground floor of the old structure.

L. Geometry of Space Studies My building incorporates a lo of different areas, events and experiences. The repetitive arch structure creates a p l a yf u l a n d welcoming space perfect to host a w e e k e n d f a r m e r s m a r ke t , l i ve music and other. The second floor of the old structure and new structure have a c c e s s through a wide spiral stair. My structure c r e a t e s tension and c o n t r a s t because of the combination of old materials and shapes and modern ones.

CLOSE-UP

The columns, arches a n d s ta i rs c re a t e intriguing spaces that invite to meditate or to meet with friends or with a date. VIGNETTE

VIGNETTE

The juxta p o s i t i o n created by the modern and the new structure are nicely bounded by the big glass windows. VIGNETTE

VIGNETTE

The big glass windows of the n e w s t r u ct u re match the open, ye t p ro t e ct e d , design of the old s t r u ct u re . T h e golden dome ads a feeling of solemnity to the structure.

L. Geometry of Space Studies

REFLECTIONS • Strengths: a. For this exercise I used almost all the tools and methods learned during the previous weeks of instruction, including scenes and sections b. I created an interesting and to some level realistic structure. • Weaknesses: a. I didn’t add hard or soft landscape elements to my design or a personalized background. b. When playing with angles outside the xyz axes, the design become more complicated ° Opportunities: a.. I can start adding interior elements as well as start using layers in order to accelerate the sketch process. • Threats: a. I am realizing that after some hours of working with SKU, I start to get lazy and to not to pay so much attention to detail. I need to somehow create a working schedule that allows me to relax my brain.

STEP BY STEP CREATION PROCESS

AIR PLANE FLOTILLA FLIGHING IN A FOGGY DAY ABOVE THE HILLY MOUNTAINS OF THE SIERRA

M.1 Folding and Intersecting Studies. Flotilla & Desert Shelter

REFLECTIONS • Strengths: a. For this new exercise I decided to explore a new tool, the fog tool. It is a very interesting tool with the potential of creating very mysterious scenes. b. I successfully integrated a picture of a cloudy day as a background for my design. • Weaknesses: a. I am not convinced about the color and texture used for the mountains, they are not realistic. ° Opportunities: a.. I want to explore with different colors and textures that create more realistic scenarios and look for online tutorials in order to find inspiration. • Threats: a. For this particular exercise, besides using the fog tool, I didn’t think outside of the box, I just follow the steps provided by the instructor. I don’t want to give up on experimenting and creating different structures.

THE DESERT SHELTER’S STEP BY STEP “CONSTRUCTION”

THE STRUCTURE CREATES A SUN/SHADE PROTECTIVE SPACE BY USING SECTIONING AND REPETITON PRINCIPLES.

THE ORGANIC STRUCTURE CAN BE BUILT WITH SIMPLE MATERIALS (2X4 STUDS).

M.1 Folding and Intersecting Studies. Flotilla & Desert Shelter

REFLECTIONS • Strengths: a. Interesting use of simple but attractive sketchup styles variations. b. The structure is appealing and cozy, it creates a shelter in the infinity of the desert. • Weaknesses: a. The structure only has two different spaces, the exterior and the interior. More ‘stories’ can be added. ° Opportunities: a.. I can add some more entourage (besides the three costume-made red stools. b. A bigger structure with more rooms, hallways and nodes can be created. • Threats: a. I over think this design, I should force my self to spend some time creating and then thinking instead of thinking and then creating.

PERSPECTIVE

VIGNETTE

PERSPECTIVE

VIGNETTE

PERSPECTIVE

VIGNETTE

M.2 Folding and Intersecting Studies. The Folded Lattice Museum

REFLECTIONS • Strengths: a. I created an intriguing structures using a very small color and shape palette. b. The use of transparent, almost phantasmagoric human shapes gives a neutral and professional look to the design. • Weaknesses: a. I wanted to add a touch of color and warmth adding a step made of wood, it doesn’t quiet full fill my intention. ° Opportunities: a. Find a way to add warmth and a small touch of color to sophisticated designs. • Threats: a. Getting caught in an idea that makes me spend too much time in a not-so-important detail is not productive.

SIDE VIEW

TOPVIEW

PERSPECTIVE

CLOSE-UP

M.3 Folding and Intersecting Studies. The Modern Horse Stable

REFLECTIONS • Strengths: a. Appropriate use of cutting and folding tools that allowed me to create a modern horse stable. b. Pleasant use of textures while designing with groups and components. c. I created a very beam structure yet not necessarily realistic. • Weaknesses: a. Luck of innovation when comparing with the instructor design. b. Ground and sky colors are slightly too unrealistic. ° Opportunities: a.. Cutting and folding tools added a new perspective to my future sketchup designs, I need to incorporate them in my design language. • Threats: a. I need to go back to my notes and previous assignments and ensure that I am not forgetting to use some of the previous learned tools.

DRAPE TOOL EXERCISE

The drape tool exercise was a great assignment not only to learn about how to use draping but also to become more comfortable with the ‘from scratch” and “smoove” sand box tools. The in-class work was challenging since we needed to figure out a way to paint the draped shape without having to click every single triangle that forms the TIN. In order to solve the issue, we had to smooth the angles before draping the shape into the terrain. The stamp tool (next page) called my attention instantly. Stamp tool allows to create flat platforms in sloping terrains. I found particularly interesting, not only its applicability to create elevated surfaces but also below-ground surfaces such the ‘bunker” in next page.

Stamp and Drape Exercises.

REFLECTIONS • Strengths: a. I actively contributed to develop a scientific method to analyze and solve the problem of adding color to the terrain. b. Creating hilly terrains seems to be a powerful tool for potential landscape projects. • Weaknesses: a. While drape is an interesting tool, I still don’t see its applicability. The path created follows the terrain which is not realistic when thinking about human paths…. b. Sand box tools have a very strong visual power but I need to do some research to see if I can use them in an accurate way that allow me to create precise landscape models and plans ° Opportunities: a. I can and I will to do some research about this set of tools since I want to find a better and bigger use for them,. • Threats: a. The work load at this stage of the semester is starting to increases exponentially, I need to make a personal commitment to do the required research to improve my skills.

Before their design lecture, two Astudents decided to go for a walk and explore the surroundings of the underestimated knowledge-temple of the unaffordable city of San Francisco.

Sister Turkish Delight and Sister Caipirinha were having profound and deep discussions about things that matter... Their personal commitment to make the world a better place has no barriers!

Distracted by the beauty of their temple, they got lost and forgot about the time…. Without knowing that the “design master” was observing them….

O. Sand box tools - Storyboard

The Sisters, distracted on their thoughts, didn’t pay attention to the signs… the wind changed, the sky got cloudier… the master was awake…

During their “crusade” the conversations got deeper and more and more personal

Sister Turkish Delight was in a â&#x20AC;?tranta stageâ&#x20AC;?. Unable to react to the surprise sent by the design master, Sister Caipirnha took care of the situation!

Sister Turkish Delight was trying to fight the nightmare with the power of the mind. Sister Caipirinha took a different approach. Together they had the power to overcome the situation.

M.4 Sand box tools - Storyboard

They finally made it to the knowledge temple, it was late… but not late enough to count as an absence….. The design master pious and generous open the access for our adventurous sisters

The paranormal events that occurred during the last semester teaching of the “design master” will always remain in our memories.

For weeks 13 & 14 project, the “house” project, I decided to use my friend’s apartment, I was going to spend the weekend at his place pet sitting so I though that it was going to be a good exercise to use a place that is not a 100% familiar to me. The apartment is located in the Twin peaks area of San Francisco. The living and dining rooms face north and the big windows of the north wall offer stunning views of downtown San Francisco. The apartment has less than 800 square feet but it has the spaces very well d i s t r i b u t e d . T h e d e c o ra t i o n o f t h e apartment is very welcoming and because of the extensive views, it feels bigger than it is.

P. Home. Documenting Existing Conditions & Designing a New Kitchen

By not using my apartment I took a risk, my access to the space was limited to one weekend only. That challenge created a more realistic site visit in which many times, you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have access to the building sites ad infinitum. That challenge became a problem after I realized that the pictures I took were not as good as expected. Because of the size of the apartment it is difficult to move the furniture around so I decided to take a different approach for this project.

The kitchen of the apartment looks pretty awful and it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t relate to the rest of the house. I also found the kitchen to have a very bad distribution and very little counter space and storage. For those reasons, I decided to remodel the kitchen space. To do so, I will be opening up a little bit one wall but keeping the kitchen as a separate room. The reason to leave the second wall is not because it is a bearing wall (the neighbors apartment were able to remove those wall but because by removing it, the living space actually feels smaller.

P. Home. Documenting Existing Conditions & Designing a New Kitchen

I approached the kitchen renovation as if it was a real project so I interviewed my friend over the phone. During our conversation I asked him about things that he doesn’t like and things that he like about his kitchen. For this project, I didn’t take into consideration any budget aspects, it could have been interesting but it was outside of the scope of work. The things that he likes from his kitchen are: 1. The stainless steel appliances. 2. Having open shelves where he can have not only cookware but also some art. 3. He loves to have the sink located in front of the window. The things that he doesn’t like from his kitchen are: 1. The existing tile countertops. 2 The luck of countertop space as well as storage space, 3. Currently there is no room for a dishwasher. He would like to have one

SOUTH ELEVATION - EXISTING

To me there is a big disconnection between the rest of the house and the kitchen. I also asked him about other things that he likes from his apartment. From his apartment he likes: 1. The light of the space. 2. The original oak wood floors. 3. He likes to have properly defined.

the

different

living

areas

My goal with those questions was to be able to design a space that relates with the rest of the house and that satisfies the client in a way that he was not expecting it.

EAST ELEVATION - EXISTING

The dining room of the apartment feels a little bit tight, by opening the kitchen wall that communicates those spaces, the access to the kitchen becomes bigger and the dining table fits better to the space. PERSPECTIVE - PROPOSED

PERSPECTIVE - PROPOSED

This strategy will also increase the amount of n a t u ra l l i g h t i n t h e kitchen. By moving the re f r i g e ra t o r t o t h e o p p o s i t e wa l l , t h e amount of light in the kitchen will also increase. The open shelves in the south wall will allow the client to have cookware and art but they also allow the natural; light to flow over to the west wall.

PERSPECTIVE - PROPOSED

SOUTH ELEVATION - PROPOSED

I was able to add a dishwasher close to the sink, where the refrigerator use to be. The additional countertop on top of it will increase not only the working area but it will also serve as a s e r v i n g a re a s w h e n having dinner parties. I also added a hood in the kitchen since there wa s n o t o n e w h i c h c re a t e s m e l l s a n d condensation problems when cooking.

P. Home. Documenting Existing Conditions & Designing a New Kitchen Tin order to increase the relation between the kitchen and the rest of the apartment, I proposed to change the existing vinyl flooring for hardwood flooring similar to the one of the rest of the house. For the new cabinets, which add storage space, I propose to use a white stain to the wood. The white stain will increase the feeling of light but keep the warmth of the wood. Because of the modern yet solid style of the client, I am proposing to use concrete for the countertops, subway tiles for the backsplash and a copper sink.

PERSPECTIVE - PROPOSED

WEST ELEVATION - PROPOSED

PERSPECTIVE - PROPOSED

EAST ELEVATION - PROPOSED

SOUTH ELEVATION - PROPOSED

NORTHEAST PERSPECTIVE

PHOTOMATCH & INITIAL DRAFT OVER IMAGE

EAST PERSPECTIVE

For this new exercise we were challenged with the Photomatch tool. Photomatch is a tool that allows to build a model based on a photograph. This tool is very interesting but present several challenges. Proportions, distances and XYZ locations need to be clearly understooth and properly used in order to create accurate and realistic models. As with almost all the previous SketchUp tools, to be precise since the beginning and to start building with a strong foundation, facilitate the next steps of the process and mark the difference between a successful model or one that is not.

SOUTHEAST PERSPECTIVE

Q. .

PhotoMatch. Rin’s Gallery, Ando Tadao

GARAGE AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS VIGNETTE

GARAGE AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS.

TERRACE DETAIL

PATIO AND TERRACE TOP PERSEPECTIVE

INTERIOR PATIO VIGNETTE

INTERIOR PATIO AND ENTRANCES

INTERIOR PATIO

Q. .

PhotoMatch. Rin’s Gallery, Ando Tadao

REFLECTIONS • Strengths: a. I went beyond the requirements of the exercise and don’t match one but two images and created a model that extends beyond the patio area.. b. The use of a different type of style with a different background and personalized textures and edges characteristics helped to create a beautiful model with contrasts between materials, building faces and background. • Weaknesses: a. Because of not paying enough attention to the XYZ location of my edges, I had to redo and modify the model several times. b. This is not the first time that it happens to me and I am still not learning the lesson. It is very important to keep saving the document constantly, the computer and/or software can crash at any time… ° Opportunities: a. Photomatch is a great tool to create very precise models. With properly taken pictures and one or two length references, it is easy to create a model of buildings and structures that have at least a couple of surfaces at are at right angle to each other. • Threats: a. With this tool is very easy to make big mistakes that can ruin your model and make you give up on the project. It is particularly important to keep double checking your work before proceeding with more steps.

SOUTHWEST PERPECTIVE

SOUTHEAST PERPECTIVE

SOUTHWEST PERPECTIVE

SOUTH PERPECTIVE

For my final project I decided to go a step beyond the minimum requirements and use the Sol Duc Cabin designed by Tom Kunding as an inspiration to create my own cabin. I located my cabin in an unknown location of the California North Coast. Using the Sandbox tools I created a landscape that mimics the hilly mountains of Northern California and I imported some native vegetation such as California poppies and purple lupine. I also incorporated boulders and a pond in order to create a more idyllic space. The use of a picture of the Northern California mountains creates a dramatic background that gives context to my design.

R. .

FINAL PROJECT. SOL DUC INSPIRED CABIN

For the exterior of my cabin I decided to use durable materials that age well and that overtime increase the character of the structure. At the same time I wanted to select materials that blend well with the natural environment. I decided to use Cor-ten steel beams to create the structure of the elevated cabin. The same material has been used for the siding of the pop-out part of the second level that contains the closet of the bedroom area as well as the exterior sliding panels that allow to close the access to the house and the windows of the bathroom (first floor) and bedroom (second floor) from the afternoon sun. I also used vertical redwood planks as a siding for the rest of the house. SketchUp does not provide with the right textures for these and other materials used for the cabin so I imported them from the internet and edited them. In order to create a more natural looking wood siding I used three different types of wood.

NORTHWEST PERPECTIVE

To access the cabin from the motor court I created a platform made of 2x6 redwood planks and pig wire guardrail. The follow me tool facilitated the â&#x20AC;&#x153;constructionâ&#x20AC;? of the pig wire and by using groups and components I was able to easily reuse the same material for the guardrails of the decks. To solve the height difference between the platform and the motor court, I created steps made of 6x8 redwood beams.

WEST PERPECTIVE

NORTH PERPECTIVE

EAST PERPECTIVE

KITCHEN VIGNETTE DOOR KNOBS & FAUCETS

PIVOT DOOR DOUBLE FIRE PLACE AND GLASS WALLS

Besides the toilet and all the chairs of the house, I created the rest of the elements from scratch. The best way to do it was to create it them separately, make them a group (or component depending on the needs) and to place them in their location. In order to add a modern feeling to the interior of the cabin I designed a kitchen with stain steel appliances and black wood. For the entrance, I designed a glass pivot door with black trims. The black trims have been used for all the enclosure elements.

R. .

FINAL PROJECT. SOL DUC INSPIRED CABIN

KITCHEN & STEPS VIGNETTE

Because of the reduced sizes of the cabin, I incorporated a custom made double sided dining table to the countertop of the kitchen. An open railing for the steps, light colors for the walls and extensive windows help to make the space feel bigger and intimately connected to the outdoors. I created recessed ceiling lights for all the rooms of the house besides the living room, in which I added two hanging lights. The top windows of the living room are operable, that way the house can be cooled down passively during summer. EXTENSIVE

OPERABLE WINDOWS

LIVING ROOM VIGNETTE

PIVOT WINDOWS IN BEDRROM AND BATHROOM WITH INTIMATE VIEWS OF THE NATURE. THE BEDROOM HAS A PRIVATE DECK TO CONTEMPLATE THE NATURE AND THE POND

THE BEDROOM OPENS TO THE LIVING ROOM. THE HEADBOARD OF THE BED IS ALSO THE BACK SIDE OF THE OPEN, WALK-IN CLOSET. DETAIL OF THE OPEN YET PRIVATE CLOSET AND DECK

R. .

FINAL PROJECT. SOL DUC INSPIRED CABIN WEST ELEVATION

The entrance of the house is located in the West elevation and protected from the rain by a porch. The main entrance can be locked with a sliding metal panel made of Cor-ten steel. The West faรงade also contain two pivot, floor to ceiling windows. The two windows have sliding panels to protect the interior from the afternoon sun and from the views of the motor court if necessary. Since there are not railings by the windows, they are operable but only to a certain extend. NORTH ELEVATION

The North faรงade is the most simple of the house. It has only two operable windows without sliding panels because of their orientation. This two doors frame the views of the adjacent hill and forest create an intimate view of t h e n a t u r e f ro m t h e bedroom and the shower/ tub areas.

SOUTH ELEVATION

The South and East facades contain almost of the windows and connections to the e x t e r i o r b u t t h e y a re p ro t e ct e d w i t h l o n g overhangs (particularly the south faรงade) in order to block the direct sunlight during summertime but allowing it to reach the interior during the winter months. . I placed a double fire place (interior and exterior) integrated into a glass wall with operable windows that connect the interior with the exterior and blur their boundaries during the warmer months. From all the windows of the second floor, only two are operable.. They will allow to create a natural breeze to cool down the space passively.

EAST ELEVATION

I included an exterior corridor in the first floor of the South faรงade that communicates the entrance with the deck without the need of accessing the interior of the house. The corridor is not only functional but it also creates a cozy intimate decking area. Outdoor light had been included below the closet area, ambient and mobile light that create more interesting shades will be included in the rest of the deck spaces.

R. .

FINAL PROJECT. SOL DUC INSPIRED CABIN

SOUTH SECTION IN WHICH THE CLOSET DETAIL CAN BE APPRECIATED

NORTH SECTION. KITCHEN, DINING AND BEDROOM DETAILS. EVEN IF THE SMALL SIZE OF THE CABIN, THE BATHROOM HAS A SHOWER, A BATHTUB A SEPARATE TOILET ROOM AND A SMALL LAUNDRY ROOM.

SOUTH SECTION.. LIVINGROOM, KITCHEN AND BEDROOM ADIRONDAK CHAIRS AROUND THE OUTDOOR FIRE PLACE.

The copper roof adds an elements of modernity but also solemnity. Its use in old European churches awakes a feeling of age and monumentality to this small structure. I designed a structure that even if it is small it fulfills all the needs of a 1 to 2 people family. The addition of a futon will also allow the tenants to have some short-stay visitors spending the night in the cabin.

WEST SECTION

EAST SECTION 1

The long footings of the house, not only elevate it and increase its views but also, once the sliding panel is closed and locked, they create a safe and secure space.

EAST SECTION 2

EAST SECTION 3

R. .

FINAL PROJECT. SOL DUC INSPIRED CABIN FIRST FLOOR PLAN

The cabin has all the amenities required to life comfortably. A big entrance closet to store jackets and boots and shelves in the bathroom increase the amount of storage space. The bathroom has two big floor-to-ceiling pivot windows that allow tenants to enjoy nature when showering. The double sink and enclosed toilet create a bathroom that can be used by two people at the same time. The kitchen is not big but it has as a snack bar.

lot of storage space and the dining room can serve for both, having a formal dinner or

The double fire pit will allow to increase the tenants to elongate the outdoor season. Notice the use of concrete for the first floor but more cozy and friendly wood for the bedroom floor.

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

The second floor has an oversize bedroom with two chairs to read books from the custom made bookshelves. The clean lines of the space and walls increase the feeling of space. The big walls create a space in which hung art or project movies if necessary.

R. .

FINAL PROJECT. SOL DUC INSPIRED CABIN

REFLECTIONS • Strengths: a. I used all the tools learned during the course with a pretty nice success. • Weaknesses: a. I had to refresh my memory a couple of time in order to take advantage of the full potential of the SketchUp tools. ° Opportunities: A There is always room for improvement but for this project I think that I fulfilled the requirements and went far beyond. • Threats: a. Summer is around the corner, I need to keep using SketchUp in order to not too loose all the knowledge gained during the course.