PORTFOLIO 2013-2017
For Applying Master of Science in Architecture Studies Program (SMArchS Design) in Massachusetts Institute of Technology
QIBO SUN Email: qzs0007@auburn.edu Phone: 206-981-7177 Address: 443 Harper Ave Apt 04, Auburn, AL 36830
PROJECTS
Architecture & Interior Architecture
ACADEMIC WORKS
When an architect is asked what his best building is, he usually answers, “The next one.”
01
VISUAL BOUNDARY & SEQUENCE
01
02
URBAN CORNER
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03
UNIFYING SPACES WITH FLOOR & CEILING
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04
FRAME OF DISCOVERY
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05
ROME WATERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT
20
06
CANINE CENTER
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07
CONCRETE ATHENAEUM
24
08
TIMBER MUSEUM
26
09
ANALYSIS OF LIGHT
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Culture Center & Library Savannah, GA Hotel & Residences Mobile, AL
Interior Thesis - Architecture & Graphic Design Office Montgomery, AL Outdoor Theater & Conference Selma, AL Urban & Landscape Rome, Italy
Dog Adoption & Hospital Topotype Library & Residences Opelika, AL
Art Studio & Museum Mentone, AL
Physical Model & Hand Drawing
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07
01
The concept of this project is to create
the clear glazing as the main material of
Visual Boundary & Sequence
different experiences through the design
the building facade. The transparency of
of architectural visual boundaries and
the glass blurs the boundaries between the
5th year Studio Culture Center
sequences. In order to achieve various visual
inside and outside.
Savannah, GA
perceptual boundaries, a floating wall was
The double-layer boundaries allow the
designed to wrap around the building. The
outside to extend inside, as opposed to a
boundary space between the floating wall
stark “in-or-out� condition. From the inside,
and building facade becomes a connection
the floating partition offers partial views of
and transition space between the interior
the surrounding area. The in-between space
and exterior. However, the space also shows
becomes a blurry domain that connects to
an internal and external border by using
the city and the environmental context.
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Transparency Over Transparency
Transparency Over Opacity
Solid Wall
Hard in Both Existential and Perceptual
Glass
Hard in Existential, but Soft in Perceptual
Space Level
Hard in Perceptual, but Soft in Existential
Opacity Over Transparency
Columns
Opacity Over Opacity
Partially Opacity Over Transparency
Partially Hard in Existential, and Soft in Perceptual
Warnning Line
Soft in Existential, and Partially Hard in Perceptual
Environment
Curtain
Partially Hard in Existential, but Soft in Perceptual
Soft in Existential, and Partially Hard in Perceptual
Material
Light Condition
Soft in Both Existential and Perceptual
Soft in Both Existential and Perceptual
Architectural Boundary Studies: Hard or Soft Architectural Boundary in Existential and Perceptual Properties There are two properties of architectural boundaries: Existential and Perceptual. Existential is a focus on physical property and Perceptual is based on the perceptibility of the human. Existential and Perceptual are two indispensable Conceptual Box Studies For Double-layer Boundaries: Transparency vs. Opacity
tools to refine hard or soft boundary in architectural space.
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Talmadge Memorial Bridge
The project is built on the narrow site, in between the Savannah River and
downtown
Savannah. The
ground level of the site slopes from the raised park to the riverbanks. The top floor gallery space in the project is slightly shifted to face the Talmadge Memorial Bridge on the river, which is the most significant tourist landmark in Savannah.
Conference Hall Reception
Outdoor Activities
Open Performance and Setting Space
The floating wall was set with a 3 ft. gap between each floor, a measure based on the human physical dimension
History Gallery
of standing and sitting. By doing so, people can see most of the outside when they are sitting and have limited 1st Floor Plan 0 5 10
20
outside views when they are walking and standing. 50
Meeting Room
Classroom
Restroom
Library
Office
Mediatheque
2nd Floor Plan 0 5 10
20
50
Gallery
Cafe
Library
3rd Floor Plan 0 5 10
20
50
3
The original idea of the facade is three panels
The
hexagon
pattern
would
that allowed people inside to have a different
maximize the daylight coming into
visual connection to the outside.
the building during morning and afternoon hours while blocking most of the sunlight at noon. It also allows lights and shadows to appear in different shapes, such as hexagons,
Opining Develop
ovals, rectangles, and triangles.
Spacing Develop
RIGHT
Physical Model Photos
LEFT
Facade Studies View from the secondary entrance, showing the light condition through the facade pattern during the sunset
Geometry Develop The pattern opening on the floating wall offers partial views of the surrounding area, which allows people to have a different view when they are at different locations. The floating wall also obscures site boundaries and formulates a relationship with the surrounding environmental and urban context.
In order to maximize the light condition inside, the final idea of the facade keeps the visual connection of the initial idea with an additional geometric design.
View from North, showing the facade pattern elevation and the relationship between the outside floating partition wall and the inside building
4
Gallery Sequence Studies — Original
Gallery Sequence Studies — 01
Gallery Sequence Studies — 02
Gallery Sequence Studies — 03
Gallery Sequence Studies — 04
Gallery Sequence Studies — Final Version
The art gallery space is a narrow box divided into three exhibition spaces. The sequence of this space provides more opportunities for visitors to explore and discover, without confusing the circulation.
In the first study, the gallery space was simply divided into two sections - left and right. There is a confusion of circulation with this symmetrical plan. Visitors always need to make a selection between left and right.
In order to clarify the circulation of the previous one, the wall segments were moved to two sides. The circulation in this plan is clear. But there are few turns that provide less opportunities of discovery.
In this option, ‘L’ shaped walls are applied in order to increase visual connection in the path. However, when faced with a wall, the confusion of the circulation emerges again.
This option maximizes the opportunities for visitors to explore and discover by increasing the turns in the path. But the space is too narrow to have this many partition walls.
After a series of studies, the final version has two ‘L’ shaped walls that opened to different direction. This plan has a clear sequence that leads by visual connection with multiple opportunities for discovery.
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River View
1
2
3
City View
The project focuses on combining the sequence and visual boundaries. Visitors would have different visual access to the river and city when they are at different locations. The sequence diagram shows there are three different visions of space. The gray box represents the space with a visual connection to the city; the yellow box represents that the space has a view to the river; and the yellow and gray box mean the space has visual access to both city and river. Those different visual boundaries in this project would allow people to walk around and discover different spaces. There are no spaces solely for circulation purposes in this building; most of the circulation spaces have additional uses, such as: a gallery, cafe, and rest area.
1 View from the entrance, showing the visual access to outside is partially blocked and the vertical stair circulation is used as a history gallery space
2 View from the second floor on library, showing the visual access to outside is open on the first floor, however; it is blocked on the first floor
3 View from the gallery, showing the visual access to outside on the end of the space and the circulation of the gallery space
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Outside Floating Wall
Clear glazing is largely applied into the
The Floating Partition Wall was designed to wrap around the building, which is the outside layer of the double-layer system. It is also the existential boundary between inside and outside
inside of the building and the transparency of the glass blurs the boundaries between the inside and outside. In addition to the visual connection, there are a few physical and structural connections between the floating wall and the building itself. The inner building is the only architectural space
Floating Wall Structure
covered with a roof. Therefore, it will further
The support structure was designed in maximum span that allowed the outside partition wall seem like more floating and bring more outside context into the in-between space that makes the space blurry between inside and outside
blur the space between two boundaries.
RIGHT
Physical Model Photos
LEFT
Axonometric Diagram View from West, showing the inside building without the floating wall
Inside Building The glazing wall is applied as the inside layer of double-layer system. The transparency of the glass weakens the effect of the inside boundary and allowed a soft transition from the space in-between to interior space
Site Geography Context The site has a ground level difference. There is a 10 ft height drop from the raised park level to river side level. The main entrance set on the park level, which is the second level of the building View from North East, showing the inside outdoor space and the transparency glazing material that is largely applied for the inside buidling
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02
URBAN CORNER 4th Year Studio Hotel & Residences Mobile, AL
This project is focused on designing
programmatic variety. Different facade
architecture in three different scales: macro,
materials
meso and micro.
boundaries of different programs.
In macro-scale consideration, the project
The project uses Fujian rural houses as a
solves many urban issues related to urban
precedent which has an inside circulation
vitality in downtown Mobile by creating an
aisle and provides a central courtyard space
urban piazza.
for the residents.
In meso-scale, the project focuses on the
In micro-scale, the overall form of the
spatial connection between the residential
building is based on the design of each unit.
program and the hotel program. The project
The units are designed to be both efficient
fits into four volumes and emphasizes
and comfortable.
are
applied
to
define
the
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Bienville Square
Program
In macro-scale consideration, an urban corner or piazza is created to Cathedral Plaza
receive a pedestrian alley that connects Bienville
Square
and
Cathedral
Plaza — two major public spaces in downtown Mobile.
Above
The project is located in downtown Mobile. The site is between Francis St. and Dauphin St., which are two major axial streets in Mobile.
Urban Analysis Diagram
Right
View from Francis St. to West Facade
LEFT - Top Site Plan
Based on the site analysis, the project responds to the urban Master Plan of Mobile. As a small block of Mobile, the project will affect and change the situation of the whole city.
LEFT - MIDDLE
Site Analysis Diagrams
BOTTOM
Section (East & North)
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Typical Hotel Block Floor
Units: 3
Typical Residence Block Floor (A)
Units: 3
Circulation Residence Residential Courtyard Hotel
The project is a mixed residential and hotel project. In meso-
Typical Residence Block Floor (B)
scale, the project focuses on the spatial connection between two different programs. There
Units: 4
are four block spaces, three for residential and one for hotel. The blocks are connected with four vertical circulation spaces. Typical Residence Block Floor (C) ABOVE
Program Analysis Diagram
Units: 4 LEFT
Ground Floor Plan with Context N
RIGHT
Typical Floor Plans 0 5 10
20
50
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The facade of this building was designed to increase the visually urban vitality. Different colorful materials are applied with irregularity to define the different programs and blocks. People are able to walk around the building and discover the differences.
View from South East, showing the various facades of residential and hotel blocks
Because the project has combined two different programs: hotel and residential, various design elements were implemented. A central roof garden is designed as a residential public space; this roof garden separates the public space of the residential are from that of the hotel. Two different circulation systems are applied for residential and hotel as well. RIGHT
Physical Model Photos Wall section model, showing the details of the window and ceiling system
Birdseye from South East, showing the urban context and residential public space (roof and central garden) of this project
LEFT
Wall Section Model & Drawing
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Right
A louver shading system is designed
View of Hotel Guest Room
for the building to change the light
Left
Model Photo — View of Corner Plaza
condition in the hotel room. The system reduces the sun light heat
BOTTOM
View of Pedestrian Alley & Urban Corner
of the south side.
The Pedestrian Alley and Urban Corner system is designing based on Jane Jacob’s understanding of what made the ecology of
The louver shading system is also working to change the physical and social condition of the new corner commercial plaza
a neighborhood thrive. The concept of this system is a solution to Mobile’s urban problem, which is lacking of urban vitality
space. Due to the shading system, the new plaza becomes a blurry space between interior and exterior. It also lets people
and active public spaces. The pedestrian alley connects Bieville Square and Cathedral Plaza, and passes through the new corner
understand that the plaza is part of the building. However, the condition of openness shows its public function. Hotel lobby,
commercial plaza. Major liner commercial shops will be moved from Dauphin St. to the pedestrian alley. Pedestrian circulation
retail and restaurants are planned around the plaza.
and automobile circulation will be separated in Mobile’s downtown area. Therefore, the urban density will be moved from Dauphin St. to the entire Mobile downtown neighborhood.
“To generate exuberant diversity in a city’s streets and districts four conditions are indispensable:
1. The district, and indeed as many of its internal parts as possible, must serve more than one
primary function; preferably more than two...
2. Most blocks must be short; that is, streets and opportunities to turn corners must be frequent.
3. The district must mingle buildings that vary in age and condition, including a good proportion
of old ones so that they vary in the economic yield they must produce.
4. There must be a sufficiently dense concentration of people, for whatever purposes they may
be there...”
—
‘The Death and Life of Great American Cities’ by Jane Jacobs
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03
Unifying Spaces with Floor & Ceiling Bachelor of Interior Architecture Thesis Studio Architectural & Interior Design Office Montgomery, AL
The project is designed within an existing
material selection. In order to have an
office building with four suites. Only two
expansive effect, neither project has a hard
suites was issued — suite A as a graphic
architectural boundary applied, for instance,
design office and suite D as an architecture
a solid wall. Therefore, these differences in
office. Both projects unify spaces by creating
visual effect allow people to understand the
different visual effects due to certain
edges between different interior spaces.
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The interior spaces are perceived in two scales. At a larger scale, the space is divided in to work space and support space which is differentiated by different floor, wall and
Suite B
Suite C
ceiling materials. In the architecture office (suite D), there are 3 types of glass, 3 types of flooring materials and 2 types of ceiling materials applied. The graphic design office (suite A) has the same glass and flooring as suit D, however, it Floor Material — Marble
has only one type of ceiling
Support Space: Circulation
materials because of the special lighting condition. In addition,
Floor Material — Marble Support Space: Circulation Kitchen
at a small scale, the furniture blocks space treated like easily recognizable objects. Therefore,
Floor Material — Wood
users have the ability to
Open Work Space: Work Area Open Meeting Library
reorganize those objects based on desired function.
Floor Material — Carpet Private Work Space: Private Office Conference
Floor Material — Wood Open Work Space: Work Area Library
Floor Material — Carpet Private Work Space: Private Office Conference
Suite D — Architecture Office
LEFT
Suite A — Graphic Design Office
Suite A Floor Plan
RIGHT
N 0
5
10
20
Suite D Floor Plan
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1
LEFT 1 Section — Suite A (East) 2 Entrance Perspective View — Suite A 3 Rest Area Perspective View — Suite A 4 Work Area Perspective View — Suite A
RIGHT Axonometric Diagram
2 View from the hallway, showing the floor and ceiling do not match the existing structure
Suite A has a special roof that covers the first part of the suite with a double height space and side sky light. The rest of spaces behind are single height
3 View from the rest area, showing the relation between office space and work space
and windowless. Because of the special light condition, the double height space is defined as the working space. A special wood ceiling is designed to minimize and keep the natural day light in the working space.
4 View from the office, showing the special ceiling and sky light condition
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1 View from the hallway, showing the long side placement of furniture and light would encourage people look through the glazing to outside landscape
RIGHT 1 Work Area Perspective View — Suite D 2 Entrance Perspective View — Suite D 3 Physical Model Photo — Suite D
LEFT 2
Axonometric Diagram
View from the entrance, showing the ceiling material difference
The interior space has a clear view on the long side of the building and an obstructed view on the short side. The light and furniture position are also following the long side of the existing building. Those movements encourage people to look through the long side to the glazing wall, which maximizes visual depth. The transparent wall blurs the boundary between interior and exterior. Reflective materials are applied to floors and 3 Physical model photo, showing the strip shaped skylight and transparent glazing wall in office space, and the reflected floor and ceiling on the hallway
ceilings to bring the outside context to inside. Floor and ceiling materials do not align with the existing structure and interior partition glass wall. 16
04
FRAME FOR DISCOVERY 4th Year Studio Outdoor Theather & Conference Selma, AL
This project is meant to add an outdoor
retail and a hostel are adding to 14 Broad St.
partially shaded program into furniture
The project need to be multi-purpose that
building. The program will included a
satisfy different groups of people’s desires
outdoor covered theater with 60 seats, a
for people develop and come back.
conference room and a meeting room. New
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Outdoor Theater Stage
Retail Zone Circulation Indoor Conference Activities Space
0
5
10
20
RIGHT
Site Studies
LEFT
Plan Diagram
Instead of making a decision between a generalized open space or multiple small programs, this project does both. The wood structure will provide a boundary; however, the space is physically open. Curtain and channel glass are applied as walls that slide open. The program becomes one big open space for performance when these wall open and multiple small space for meetings when these walls are closed. Description from top: Circulation, Floor Levels, Program Function, Light
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The wood structure provides different experience in horizontally and vertically. People will have different scenes to explore when they come though different entrances. On the other hand, different experiences will be showed when they walk under the structure, sit on the
LEFT
View from West Entrance
RIGHT — TOP
View from Upper Floor
RIGHT — Bottom
View from Conference Room
structure, and stand above the structure. These rich experiences and details will bring people back to this open space again and again.
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05
WATERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT 3rd Year Study Abroad in Rome, Italy Urban & Landscape Rome, Italy
The red axes are crossing at one point, which is at MAXXI designed by Zaha Hadid. This is one of the most famous landmarks in Rome.
This Riverfront urban park is located in
The primary idea of the project is to create
the Foro Italico of Rome. The Urban Park
a system of vertical and horizontal elements
design addresses all the key elements as
that provide an open environment for
defined by the city communal facilities and
everyone to enjoy. The system includes
ensures that the park experience itself is
a series of ‘broken bridges’, which are
enjoyable. The park accommodates dining,
bridges that are visually connected but
other. The crossing points meet on the
sight-seeing, sporting and other special
not physically, and create opportunities
major axis of this area.
events; this approach attempts to transfer
to explore. The broken bridge design
the density of the area from the city center
accommodates the various levels of the
to the riverfront.
Tiber River during flooding.
The blue axes are set on the major streets in Foro Italico that are parallel to each
New point landmarks are placed on the axes to connect two sides of the Tiber River. This approach transfers the density of the area from the city center to the riverfront.
Instead of connecting together and having perfect symmetry, these points are placed as an asymmetric ‘broken bridges’ system.
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a
b a
c
b d
c
d 21
06
CANINE CENTER 3rd Year Veterinary Competition Dog Adoption & Hospital
A roof garden is utilized in this
Topotype
project with a special roof shelter. The space is placed outside of the visitor guest rooms and is
Canine Center is a project designed not just
to design equally for dogs and humans. The
for people, but also for animals. This project
work combines human experiences and dog
is designed for the treatment and training
experiences together and allows a more
of dogs. It is a topotype project that explore
intimate interaction between visitors and the
intimate
ideas of designing a building complex to
dogs. This project also focus on ecological
humans and dogs.
offer services and amenities to assist families
solutions related to both inside and outside
with pets being treated by veterinary
human-made structures, and the immediate
schools. The main concept of this work is
context of the occupants.
used as a
public community
space for dog hosts or adopters. This roof garden allows a more interaction
between
The program includes three separate units. The first is a Veterinary Medical Center for dog treatment. The second is devoted to the public, such as reception, a conference center, and visitor guest rooms. The third houses the dogs shelters.
LEFT
Model Photo — View from Back
RIGHT — TOP
Model photo — Roof Garden
RIGHT — Bottom
Model photo — Site Model
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Wood louvers are applied to an open facade system for most of the building. An open courtyard connects the Veterinary Center and the dogs shelters. There are no doors open to the courtyard, but there are many shutters. These shutters can open manually as exits for both staff and dogs. The light condition can be also adjusted by opening and closing the louver system.
The dog shelters are designed based on functions related to dog care, such as nursing, food preparation, rehabilitation including an area for storage of equipment. Each kennel is composed of a back area sheltered by a roof and an open
ADOPTION AND VET CENTER _ FIRST FLOOR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
air front public courtyard. Just with normative
RECEPTION/WAITING AREA EXAMINATION ADMINISTRATIVE WORKSTATONS ADMINSTRATIVE OFFICES REHABILITATION, INDOOR ADOPTION CENTER, INDOOR ASSAMBLY HALL STUDENT HOUSING REHABILITATION, OUTDOOR DOG HOUSING SYSTEM
architecture design for people, private interior space and public open space are applied into the design of the dog housing area.
LEFT
Floor Plan
RIGHT — TOP
View to Wood Louver Facade
RIGHT — Bottom
Dogs Shelter Section
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07
CONCRETE ATHENAEUM 3rd Year Studio Gallery & Library & Residences Opelika, AL
In this project, light is an important controlling factor. The project creates a enclosed space
mainly
by
thick
concrete walls. The primary
This project is designed as a gallery and
the main circulation space. The primary
athenaeum and is located in
Opelika,
material that is used for this project is
Alabama. It is designed to fit within the
concrete; and the project focus on creates
oneself within society. When
urban language of the historic town while
a special concrete space by control natural
the external factors of a city’s
creating a new response to the existing
light comes into the space different. This
environment require the wall
infrastructure. The spatial organization
project is an architecture of duality – the
maximizes the usable area on the tiny site.
dual nature of existence – solid/void, light/
There is a center courtyard that is used as
dark, stark/serene.
reason is to create a place for the individual, a zone for
to be without openings, the interior must be especially full and satisfying.
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C B A
2
Underground Floor Plan 1. Reception/Front Desk 2. Lecture Space 3. Restroom 4. Reading Area A. Gallery & Athenaeum B. Public Courtyard C. Workshop & Residences
LEFT
3
Second Floor Plan 1. Small Gallery (First floor) 2. Athenaeum Reading Room 3. Center courtyard 4. Maker Residences (b) 5. Maker Workshop
First Floor Plan 1. Reception (underground) 2. Reading Area (underground) 3. Small Gallery 4. Center courtyard 5. Cafe with Exerior Seating 6. Maker Resideces (a) 7. Maker Workshop
Third Floor Plan 1. Large Gallery
1 Program Diagram 2 Site Analysis Diagram - a 3 Site Analysis Diagram - b 4 Site Plan
4
5 View from Gallery 6 View from Athenaeum
RIGHT - TOP Floor Plans
RIGHT - BOTTOM
Section Perspective 5
6
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08
TIMBER MUSEUM 2nd Year Studio Art Studio & Museum Mentone, AL
Timber Museum is sited in Mentone,
rainfall water to the center courtyard space,
Alabama, which is located in the northern
and also allows daylight coming through
part of the state. Mentone is a small town
the gap and comes into the interior space.
with a vibrant community of artists and this
Because of the classroom spaces are designed
project reflects the historic Mentone fabric
as workshops of hand craft, the separate
of small scale buildings by breaking the
small rooms would help in minimize the
program into small spaces that are connected
noise affect between each classroom. The
by a single roof. The material selection —
circulation space in this project is a bulrry
wood — responds to the handcraft culture of
space of inside and outside — it was under
Mentone. The special roof would collect the
the roof, but without any walls.
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ANALYSIS OF LIGHT 09 — MODEL
ANALYSIS OF LIGHT — DRAWING This work is a pencil rendering
This physical model is a section
exercise of Brugge Pavilion by Toyo
model of Bagsværd Church by Jørn
Ito. The drawing is a analysis study of
Utzon. The model is using as an
light, shadow and form.
analysis material to study how to
Orginal Size: 8” x 8”
control the natural light that comes into an artificial architectural space. Utzon carefully considered daylight in this project and designed soft curving ceiling to control the light, and act as a visual masterpiece in this small church. Physical Model Scale: 1’=1/4”
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