ARCHITECTURE 101 MIDTERM - ASSESSMENT QUINCE CHEN FA L L 2 0 1 5
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T WHAT’S YOUR SIGN? • COLLAGE 。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。 1 • FIRST SIGN 。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。 2 • REVISED SIGN
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P E R C E I V I N G , E X P E R I E N C I N G , A N D I N T E R P R E T I N G S PA C E S A N D P L A C E S : D O C U M E N T I N G O U R JOURNEYS • P H O T O P R E S E N TA T I O N 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 4 • COLLAGES 。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。 6
M A K E A W A L L , M A K E A W I N D O W, E V O K E W O N D E R • THE BEGINNING 。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。 7 • THE MODELS - FIRST ITERATION 。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。 11 • THE MODELS - SECOND ITERATION 。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。 12 • NARRATIVE EXPLORATION & THE MODELS - THIRD ITERATION 。。。。。。。。。。。。 13
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T C O N … M A K E A W A L L , M A K E A W I N D O W, E V O K E W O N D E R C O N 。 。 。 • FOURTH ITERATION 。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。14 • STORYBOARD 。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。 15 • F I F T H I T E R A T I O N & I T S C O M PA N I O N 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 1 6 • FINAL MODEL 。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。 17
WHAT’S YOUR SIGN?
-COLLAGE• My first collage consist of all the
pictures of words that describe Quince. - stubborn, optimistic, gourmand
FIRST
• On my first collage I cut out the
images that represents me and placed it along the first letter of my name Q. Then placed the Q on a white background.
SECOND
• On the second collage I placed
the images as the background with a white Q.
• The third collage, I put in the
photos as collages in both background and the Q.
THIRD
WHAT’S YOUR SIGN?
-FIRST SIGN-
We are now here to build the sign, first taking in mind how we will like to hang or mount the sign in order for it to stay in the air. The most challenging part is that I can come up with all these ideas to create a sign that best describes me, but in order for it to be light enough so we can hang with pins on the wall is difficult. I used foam board to construct the shape because foam board is light and strong. Then carved out the same letter of Q I used in my collage. To represent my stubbornness I used a wine, burgundy color which I shaded the color then tinted it to appear dull and dead. Added the light inside to show the optimistic. To better improve I would have to add a bracket for the sign to hang from.
WHAT’S YOUR SIGN?
-REVISED SIGN-
After our critique in class, taking different advises from my peers, I‘ve constructed my second sign with a similar concept and improvements added. I designed a bracket that the sign could be hanging from, adding the same wine, burgundy color. Then on the sign itself I changed the color to a dark blue color with the same technique of shaded and tinted it. What I’ve kept from the first design is the letter Q carved on both sides and the lights added inside. The complementary color of red and blue used are to let others distinguish the two piece apart but at the same time to feel comfortable looking at it.
P E R C E I V I N G , E X P E R I E N C I N G , A N D I N T E R P R E T I N G S PA C E S A N D P L A C E S : DOCUMENT OUR JOURNEYS
- P H O T O P R E S E N TA T I O N -
• First step of exploring the place, is to get out there and
explore. Location: The Wave Organ & Fort Mason Center
• Feel the place with all senses and track it down with pictures. • Choose the best pictures that recorded my emotion at the
moment and create a Powerpoint.
• My emotions: solitary, complacent, thought - provoking,
reminisce, forthright, prospection, vulnerable, insightful, daunting, fatigued.
• During the trip, most of the time my emotions did not evoked
specific memories, instead i had many deja vu moments.
PERCEIVING, EXPERIENCING, AND I N T E R P R E T I N G S PA C E S A N D P L A C E S : DOCUMENT OUR JOURNEYS
-COLLAGES• At this stage of sensing the spaces and places, we choose any photos we took on our trip that evokes your emotion to create a collage. My emotions: nostalgia & deja vu • The reason I felt deja vu and nostalgia
together because the place brings a familiar feeling to me at the same time lead me to recalled old memories. Having this feeling of I had been here before and recalling the same memory. But these memories are not coming back as whole images, instead the scenes are broken, like how the images are cut into pieces. The memories are also misplaced, some scenes do not belong with the others, which I can’t place them in the right moment in life because there are something blocking it just like the stripes I had placed on top, they are somehow not allowed to come back to me in my head.
M A K E A W A L L , M A K E A W I N D O W, E V O K E W O N D E R
-THE BEGINNING-PRECEDENCE RESEARCHHEYDAR ALIYEV CENTER BAKU, AZERBAIJAN ZAHA HADID
DONGDAEMUN DESIGN PLAZA SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA ZAHA HADID
M A K E A W A L L , M A K E A W I N D O W, E V O K E W O N D E R
-THE BEGINNING-PRECEDENCE RESEARCH CONTINUEDGUANGZHOU OPERA HOUSE GUANGZHOU, CHINA ZAHA HADID
SUZHOU MUSEUM SUZHOU, CHINA I.M. PEI
M A K E A W A L L , M A K E A W I N D O W, E V O K E W O N D E R
-THE BEGINNING-PRECEDENCE RESEARCH CONTINUEDMUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART D O H A , Q A TA R I.M. PEI & JEAN-MICHEL WILMOTTE
W HOTEL GUANGZHOU, CHINA R O C C O D E S I G N / YA B U P U S H E L E R G
M A K E A W A L L , M A K E A W I N D O W, E V O K E W O N D E R
-THE BEGINNING- M E TA P H O R • The wall is a living thing that responds to changing conditions inside and
outside by morphing into one form or another.
• Windows are my eyes to the world - as such, they frame my worldview.
-SECTION EXPLORATION-
PRE-EXPLORATION ON POSSIBILITIES OF WHAT A WALL CAN BE. SECTION DRAWINGS OF WALLS IN DIFFERENT SHAPES, FORMS, AND STRUCTURE.
M A K E A W A L L , M A K E A W I N D O W, EVOKE WONDER
-THE MODELS: FIRST ITERATION-
Trying different possibilities of wall designs on Sketchup.
M A K E A W A L L , M A K E A W I N D O W, EVOKE WONDER
-THE MODELS: FIRST ITERATION-
I am to construct a windowed wall that can evoke wonder in others also for a person to sit or lay down to read, meditate, or to daydream. I am inspired by the photography of star trials, which is a long exposure that records how the stars moves across the sky and form a circular trial in photographs. I traced a circular path on the wall then punch holes along the path. Wall dimension: 12’X15’. It started out as an attractive idea, but I need to add more depth to the flat plane wall. Also to add seatings for a person to sit and lay down.
M A K E A W A L L , M A K E A W I N D O W, E V O K E WONDER
-THE MODELS: SECOND ITERATIONOn the right is my second revised model, in the new model I added depth and changed the wall into a curvilinear shape, responding to the curvilinear theme seatings are also curved along the wall. The folded panels on the right is added to balanced out too much circular flows. I changed the height to a taller scale of 18’, so the holes will feel like real stars along the trail. But at the same time the scale is too tall, one wouldn’t able see the outside world from the window. The crafting is a little bit off because when both walls are curved holes on the 2 identical walls will be misplaced, which allows less light to pass through the holes.
On the left is my third revised model, thinking that I want to go back to the original wall shape of a rectangle. Shrink the scale, because a shorter height would will make the person feel wrap around, feeling the coziness and warmness. I’ve moved the little “stars” from the top to the bottom because the main function of the holes are for a person to see the world. Seatings are lower than the previous model considering the wall is shorter now. Disadvantage of my new model is that the rectangular window on the right is not creating harmony in the whole, the same apply to the seating.
M A K E A W A L L , M A K E A W I N D O W, E V O K E W O N D E R
-NARRATIVE EXPLORATION & THE MODELS: THIRD ITERATION-
I started the third iteration with Sketchup, tried a new possibility of putting the holes on openable windows. These windows can be turn 360 degrees and with a different angle turned, it casts different shadows on the surface. Strength: I created a nice flow by joining 2 curvilinear wall more that the 2 curved walls are curved in different directions. Weakness: Can create more transformations among the walls, not just being “boxed” all around.
SKETCHUP MODEL
M A K E A W A L L , M A K E A W I N D O W, E V O K E W O N D E R
-THE MODELS: FOURTH ITERATION-
Thinking deeply into what I can add to expand my concept of constellation patterns. Then I remembered this building by Korean architect Moon Hoon. That inspired me to add a crescent moon shape at the corner matching with my constellation design, also to add more light and shadow. The ceiling shading are created by randomly placing “folded pieces” along the wall then connects to the other wall. My initial concept the the “folded pieces” are randomness, which I think randomness can trigger others’ imagination and make them wonder. Weakness: Should tell a rationale for the “folded piece” create functionality for it.
INSPIRATION FOR THIS ITERATION TWO MOON BY MOON MOON
M A K E A W A L L , M A K E A W I N D O W, E V O K E W O N D E R
-STORYBOARD-
EYES CLOSED
EXITING THE INTERIOR LOOKING BACK AROUND THE EXIT
E Y E S S L O W LY O P E N E D TA K E A S E A T, TA K E A L O O K A T T H E C O N S T E L L A T I O N PA T T E R N S
GETTING CLOSER TO THE INTERIOR, AS THE UNKNOWNS APPEAR CLEARER AND CLEARER
DECIDED TO GO AROUND TO THE RIGHT
TURN AROUND AGAIN TO THE BACK, SEEING THE FOLDING MOTIF AT THE EYE LEVEL
SAT DOWN AT THE INSIDE LOOKING UP HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEW TO THE FOLDED PIECES
JOURNEY ENDS
M A K E A W A L L , M A K E A W I N D O W, E V O K E W O N D E R
- F I F T H I T E R A T I O N & I T S C O M PA N I O N FIFTH ITERATION
In this final iteration I turned the “folded pieces” into functional part of the model. They are turned into part of seating areas, stairs, support for the balcony, screen at the entrance, and the ceiling. I am slowly developing my model into journey for people that decided to enter.
C O M PA N I O N
Creating a companion piece for the major model. I chose to used this concept that I thought of using for my major model, using the “folded piece” to build in to a firm structure that can be use as shelter.
M A K E A W A L L , M A K E A W I N D O W, E V O K E W O N D E R
-FINAL MODEL-
D E TA I L O F T H E I N S I D E
For the final iteration of the model I tried to create a more structural exterior resting area for the companion. Strengths of this new iteration will be by having more density created by the folded piece. It also introduced a better flow that leads people to walk from the taller end to the shorter end. As the shadows can be seem in the picture, it gives a feeling of walking under an aquarium tunnel, walking under water. What can be improve is give more varieties in the folded pieces like different thickness to the vertical crossing pieces, therefore it can show a more obvious movement for visitors.
“You can put down a bad book; you can avoid listening to bad music; but you cannot miss the ugly tower block opposite your house.” –RENZO PIANO
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ARCHITECTURE 101 FINAL PORTFOLIO quince chen fall 2015
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TABLE OF CONTENT design
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PRECEDENCE RESEARCH / PROGRAM & SITE ANALYSIS
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SELECTED APPROACH: ITERATION 1, 2, & 3
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ITERATION 4, 5, & 6
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TEAM DESIGN: ITERATION 7. 8. & 9 / SAFETY WORKSHOP
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LOGISTICAL PLANNING / CONSTRUCTION TOOLS & MATERIALS
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TABLE OF CONTENT construction
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INSTALLATION INITIATED: 30% COMPLETE
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CONSTRUCTION: 60% COMPLETE
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CONSTRUCTION: 90% COMPLETE
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INSTATLLATION COMPLETED: 100% / TEAM PRESENTATION & JURORS CRITIQUE
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PRECEDENCE RESEARCH
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PRECEDENCE RESEARCH / PROGRAM & SITE ANALYSIS •
I have a great interest in trying tensioning as my approach. As I was doing my precedence research, there are many ideas that designers not only used ropes or thread to create tension, also wood.
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Program analysis: This is a site specific project. Individual and team shall first identify 3 special feature of selected site. Design and construction shall create notion of journey that evokes spatial experience, evoke of related memories & wonder, transformation wrought by time. Construction required of paths and nodes, then identify the human activities for which the design will accommodate. Lastly, provoke others appreciation of everyday aspects of the place that people tend to ignored or taken for granted and installation shall avoid the obvious.
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I’ve done my site analysis for the “country side”, which is the hillside. My design will be better fit in the “country side” because of the elevation and how it provided a better view for visitors than the “city”. Due to that my design is not originally creating an elevation nor having a elevated platform, building it by the “country side” gives what the design not naturally gave to visitors. The trees by the “country side” is both a helper and a barrier. As a helper when sunlight comes through, it can cast an amazing shadow of the tree on my installation. On the other hand, where the trees as barriers, depending on how the design will evolve in iterations it will be in the way of the construction.
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ITERATION 1, 2, & 3
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ITERATION 1, 2, & 3 •
My first attempt was to try to play with tensioning. Then later realized the fasteners and wood sticks created compression instead of tension.
•
When we first started with the project, one of the requirements is that we cannot use glue for jointing, must use some kind of fasteners that can be taken apart. My first iteration all started with this requirement, I have both wood sticks and brads ready, but I am not sure how I am going to use it. Then I started to play around with the sticks, poking holes in them, and connect the wood sticks with brads. When I had more than enough, I connect the head with the tail and it created this spiral hendecagon. Then I connected supports at the end with threads.
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My second iteration, I took the first iteration then tried to enhance it with more threads creating a enclosure space.
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I played something different for the third iteration is that I reversed the polygon shape. Instead of connect them at the head of each stick I connected them at the end to form a closed polygon then tied them together with threads and create tension between each standing polygon. This was inspired by Japanese Jinja and chinowa kuguri.
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ITERATION 4, 5, & 6
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ITERATION 4, 5, & 6
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My fourth & fifth iteration were inspired by the above picture. When I saw the picture it caught my eye because it is somewhat similar to what I wanted to create with my second iteration. I used threads to define space on the outside and the picture use threads to give the inner space thickness.
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Because the ceiling top was very difficult to assemble with fasteners so I went back to glue violating one of the project requirements.
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Coming to the sixth iteration, we started to meet with our group, but we are still working on our own design. My group liked my polygon ceiling idea, where they think it can be place at an angle so it gives direction towards the sky. And this time I divide the space with bamboo sticks leaving gaps in between, which when sunlight shines through, it casts shadow on the floor creating a repetitive pattern.
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ITERATION 7, 8, & 9
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ITERATION 7, 8, & 9 •
Iteration 7, 8, & 9 is our group design models. Where the seventh iteration was an individual model that was done with ideas that our group decided on. We agreed on using five senses as our experience element, with different chambers visitors could experience different sensation. looking from above the division of the chambers were inspired by my hendecagon. And from here we decided to move on with the hendecagon shape. Using bamboo sticks to form a pathway into the chambers were inspired by a memory when I was little. That I imagined many kids like to walk in patterns according to each tile on the street or at home, so every step has to be within a tile.
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Moving on to the eighth iteration, our team decided on using 3 chambers and focused on sound. Then follow by increasing the height of the walls gradually starting from 5 feet, 6.5 feet, then 8 feet.
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Ninth iteration is our final design, with all the defined ideas. We came up with details of what each chamber will carry what sound experience. First chamber: guitar; second chamber; wind chimes; third chamber: wind blowing through pvc pipes.
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CONSTRUCTION SAFETY •
Before using any tools read its manual.
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Make sure the plug goes into the correct outlet.
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Make sure working area is dry, moisture is a great electric connectivity; vapor (gas, paint) can cause explosion.
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When using circular saw, pay attention to routing of power cord, dangling cord can distract operation.
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Operate with high protection, no hanging jewelries, baggy clothing, and make sure long hairs are tied.
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Make sure the speed rating is correct for the saw use.
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Don’t cut metal bars with a miter saw (aluminum is okay).
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Do not try to cut a small piece that cannot be clamped.
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Make sure the blade is running full speed then lower to cut.
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Make all adjustment before turning on power or plugging plug in.
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LOGISTICAL PLANNING
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LOGISTICAL PLANNING •
Tools: Hannah can provide most of the tools and we can use the miter saw from Arch department.
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Materials: I created a kit of parts in Sketchup, which we can use as a guide to purchase wood pieces. Hannah asked her contractor friend and he can give us free 2x6s that we will be using for our platform. We will need thick ply-wood sheathing for the platform, thin ply-wood pieces as our wall, 2x4s for the frame and the hanging piece above.
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We need to keep the expenses as low as possible. Because at this point building the platform we used all our sponsored money from the department.
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We planned to finish the platform before week 2 ends.
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Work on wall frames from week 2 to 3, then finalize during week 3 to 4. If we have more time we will touch up on the details.
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Installation: 30%
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Installation: 30%
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This week is the first week of construction and according to schedule we need to have 30% complete by the end of the week.
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We started with the platform. The first class this week, we made a trip to Lowe’s.
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Taking our peers advise, we used a jigsaw to cut out the curve shape we want for the ply-woods. Then marked all where we want the 2x6s to be place. During the process, the group realized that we should we installing the platform at our site instead of down at the “city” because is too heavy to lift. So we installed the frame first and screwed the ply-wood piece after.
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All of our teammates got a chance to use the tools!
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Installation: 60%
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Installation: 60% •
We need 60% complete by the end of this week.
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We made our second trip to Lowe’s for thinner ply-woods and 2x4s for the walls.
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While installing the wall frame we realized the tallest wall is too tall, which it hits the branches. We had to adjust the measurements at the moment, but gladly the problem can be solved.
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Later the week, we screwed in the ply-wood pieces, it looks seamless when it was first on there. But the next day when we got to our site, the walls got expanded and leave openings between pieces. That was our mistake of not considerate about screwing two pieces on one of our 2x4 supports, that way 2 pieces of plywood could match up together. To solve the problem we have to put small blocks of wood from behind and match it against the seam of the 2 pieces.
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Installation: 90%
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Installation: 90% •
We are at 90% done this week. After installing the walls, we will be working on our sound element details.
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Hannah bought in her fabrics for the last chamber. We still haven’t decide what experience we want to add in this chamber.
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The chimes were hang in the second chamber, to make sure the branches that hangs the chimes can be strong enough and not break in the middle, we added angle supports on the side. Here is something we regret to do is to make our design at an angle, resulting in the angle supports difficulty to cut so the angle will fit against the wall.
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Lastly, is our guitar chamber. We used the method, that we researched online for making a cigar box guitar to attach guitar strings between two pieces of 2x4s. And the strings can be tune and tighten with a wrench.
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Installation: 100%
Hear + Now
Installation: 100% •
This is the wrap up week, where we need 100% done and be ready for presentation to guest jurors.
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For construction, we finally decided on what experience we want visitors to have; reflection and know the true self. We added mirrors behind the fabrics, which when visitors come in they will immediately see themselves in the mirror. Also we put a bench at our reflection space, where the journey should end. When one sit on the bench and see the great view they can reflect on what they experienced in the journey we created for them and the journey of their own, manage in their own hand.
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The guest juror for our section is George. George suggested we can improve our presentation by adding more photos of our final structure because he had to imagine on his own throughout the presentation. He was happy that we were able to finish what we intended to do from the beginning.
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George asked us, “Is our design site specific?” To be honest, the structure can be move to another location, but it will lost our intention idea of experiencing nature and as well to reflect in nature.
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FINAL REFLECTION •
Overall, it was a great experience throughout the semester. We went from working individually to working as a team. Working from drawings to models. Working from small scale model to real scale construction.
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Even though working in a team with people that you are not familiar with is not as easy, but it creates a different chemistry. After working together more than a month, experienced obstacles together, solve problems together, creating a design that we all cherish together, we are like a family. There might be some conflicts, but everyone is different and I am glad that my team understand that.
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On the first day of this class, I remembered Jerry asked us about our thoughts for this class. And I said I hope I will have a great memory and great experience from this class. Also, getting from architecture 20 class which was more conceptual working comparing to architecture 101 which is more practical, I said I am very looking forward to it. Conclusively, I did, I enjoyed this class a lot. I want to thank all my teammates for being supportive on each of us’s ideas and thoughts, resulting in our success in the final project.
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“Clear thinking at the wrong moment can stifle creativity.” –Karl Lagerfeld