Portfolio of studio work
STUDIO EARTH
RAGNHILD ONGSTAD
Tutorial 6 Tutor: Toby Dean Subject code: ABPL20027 Semester 1, 2017
Three relationships \Point line plane \ Mass \Frame and Infill
Herring Island Site analysis Design Development Conceptical
TABLE OF CONTENTS Final design \ Drawings \Model
Reflection
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THREE RELATIONSHIPS
POINT - LINE - PLANE
MASS
FRAME & INFILL
We started the semester with three exercises, each related to a specific architectural tectonic. Through engaging in their concepts and methods I was able to use them as a basis for my final design.
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Kandinsky. Lithograph 1925. Published in Point and Line to Plane
POINT - LINE - PLANE
Point, line and plane can be seen as the building blocks or geometrical elements of any kind of design. The point marks the position in space, which either has a concentrated or a insignificant focus. The line is composed of infinite series of dots and is the connection between two points. It has length, but no breath. The plane is a flat surface extending between two lines. It has height and breadth. For this exercise we explored the progression from point to line to plane. I explored this idea by looking at precedents and by doing several sketches trying to find a balanced and expressive progression between the elements.
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Precedents
The Gherkin, Foster + Partners, 2001
Gustav Eiffel, Eiffel Tower, 1889
Walt Disney Concert Hall by Frank Gehrys, 2003 6 | Studio Earth
Exploring point line plane As an exercise to investigate this topic I used only point, lines and planes to create basic geometric shapes. Changes of direction, intensity and compression can be used to outline forms or spaces, and to express distances and special depth. I was intrigued by the simplistic result born out of the design techniques, creating minimalistic aesthetics. Ragnhild Ongstad 7
Three points progresses into lines which then becomes a plane. Together they are both structural and space-forming.
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MASS
Mass can be manipulated in many ways. It can be changed by adding or subtracting mass, which can create voids, masses, openings, darkness, light, and dierent feelingss and textures. I experimented with mass by creating drawings which explored gravity, light and emotions below ground level. I was inspired by the bunker concept, where a small unit sticks out of the earth and becomes the entrance to a larger room underground. The idea is that its hidden from view and blends in with the surroundings.
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Precedents
Zaha Hadid Concept sketch
University of Melbourne car park
Bed and Bunker, FH Mainz
Door opening - strip of light.
Kadinjaca, Zivkovic and Doki
Villa vals, Mastenbroek and Muller
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Exploring mass with watercolor
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Final mass painting
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FRAME AND INFILL
The frame and infill tectonic is yet another way of thinking of architecture. It is a system of planning and logic. It consists of the permanent, static and fixed frame and the temporary, fluid and dynamic infill. The frame and infill tectonic was used to explore the surface above ground. “Each wall of each hexagon is furnished with five bookshelves; each bookshelf holds thirty-two books identical in format; each book contains four hundred ten pages; each page, forty lines; each line, approximately eighty black letters.” Jorge Luis Borges from The library of Babel
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Precedents
Zaha Hadid Concept sketch
Yves Siant Laurent - Mondrian dress pattern
Melbourne School of Design, Melbournde
Tennis racket
Kadinjaca, Zivkovic and Doki
Villa vals, Mastenbroek and Muller
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Continuous framing. Inspired by the quote, by Jorge Luis Borges, and paintings by Josef Albers my ďŹ nal model has several elements which frames each other, playing with anti-gravity as its gets harder to see which elements supports which, as the frame is hidden by various elements.
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HERRING ISLAND Something like a pavilion The site for the project is Herring Island, in the Yarra River, South Yarra. I visited the site to gather site data, photographs and decide the location of my pavilion.
Herring Island, is a small man-made island in Yarra river located just 4 kilometers from the city center of Melbourne. It is only accessible by punt during the summer months, by kayak or by private boat. The island offers quiet and natural surroundings with indigenous vegetation which provides important habitat for native wildlife. The vegetation also creates an excellent noise isolation on the island, thus despite the close proximity to the City link and Alexandra avenue the island has a peaceful feeling and is a perfect getaway from the bustling city. The island was made in 1928 as a strategy to control flooding in Yarra river. Since 1994, Park Victoria has had control of the island and made it into a recreation and sculpture park. Several natural built sculptures are located throughout the island, as well as a art gallery and recreation areas.
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Herring Island can definitely be a place to be isolated from the masses of the city. As I wondered around the Island I noticed the large varieties in the vegetation, from completely open areas to dense and enclosed bush areas. As soon as I got away from the open space and the edges I got a feeling of being far away from the city. Like an escape. Sounds were blocked by the vegetation and in some places I felt surrounded by only the natural sounds of birds and wind in the trees. But as soon as you approached the edge, you realized how close to the city you actually are. What I took with me from this site analysis was that I noted which areas that gave the most silence, because of the surrounding dense bush that blocked out the noise. I felt a very calming and pleasurable silence of these areas that I wanted to take advantage of in my final project.
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SITE ANALYSIS
Secrets
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Vegitation
Intensity
Noise
Sun path
Elevation
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CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT AND SKETCH DRAWINGS
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The CBD is one of Malbourne’s busiest spaces and just 3 km away we find Herring Island which is a place to pause. A pavilion will be located on the island for a place to sit down, retreat and get away from the hectic everyday life of the city. It’s like a secrete location, a place you escape to when you need some time to think. A pavilion that creates a breathing space.
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PRECEDENTS - SECRET The examples present some ideas of how a secret can be hidden within architecture. I used this as inspiration for my pavilion to explore the idea that only those who go looking will be able to find its location.
An entrance hidden at first glance
Bunker at Mornington Peninsula
Secret City Image source: http://weburbanist.com/2012/03/06/secret-city-the-illegal-architecture-of-tawian/
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PRECEDENTS - PAVILION Inspiration for the pavilion was collected from a few different precedents. Below are examples with the idea of descending into a larger space hidden from view. Furthermore, the idea of overlapping maps, which I explored later, was inspired by the serpentine pavilion which used this concept to create their plan. Apple’s Fifth Avenue store
Image source: http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/the-worlds-coolest-apple-stores/
Herzog & de Meuron and Ai Weiwei’s Serpentine Gallery Pavilion
Image source: http://www.archdaily.com/232661/herzog-de-meuron-and-ai-weiweis-serpentine-gallery-pavilion-design-revelaed
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PLAN DEVELOPMENT
The plan of the pavilion was developed by overlaying the variations of my site analysis maps. This created a unique base for the form of the pavilion which I could not have invented myself. The secret then becomes a part of the architecture as a 26 | Studio Earth
hidden map within the structure which exposes where all the art secrets are hidden. A secret which only will be comprehended by those who now. It takes you underneath the ground plane to explore the hidden treasures of the island.
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CONCEPTICAL
A conceptacle model was created to get a sense of the idea. The model sets out the composition and acts as reference point for the final model. It addresses the three zones - above ground, on ground and under ground. Furthermore, selected ideas from the previous exercises is translated into one concept. From point line and plane I took with me the simple composition, which came about as a simple combination of points, lines and planes. 28 | Studio Earth
From the mass exercise, I carried with me the idea of subtracting mass to create space. I was intrigued by the bunker idea of being hidden from a distance, but would open up as a larger space when you arrived. The permanent and supportive frame hidden away by other elements is similar to my frame and infill model. The frame is structural and the infill is space-forming.
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The pavilion was eventually assembled by combining an underground section, which is based on a plan that explore the hidden treasures of the island, with the above ground structure that conceals the structure by blending in with the surroundings.
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The pavilion will be constructed in an area of dense vegetation , due to the natural camouflage provided by the trees in the surroundings. It is in close proximity to the path of the island, but due to the circular shape of the pavilion you can enter from any side. Visitors can therefor wander opon it from any direction and enter.
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A SECRET
I was very intrigued by the concept of a secret location, a place where you can escape and be in the moment and be inspired. It is not just that it is a hidden spot – it is also the mindset. For instants, if someone says they are going to a park or an island you can create a visual images of how it is to be there.
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However, if you call it a secre known and your mental imag It is a place you go to when yo disturbance. I want herring is for each and everyone who ste be a getaway and an escape fro
LOCATION
et location it is something unge hasn’t been established yet. ou want time to think without sland to be something special eps onto the island – it should rom the hectic days in the city.
The pavilion is a place you go to escape your everyday life. So as you step onto the island you can experience the nature, your senses and explore your creativity. Its your very special secret location.
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The Breathing space A place to escape, be in the moment,
and become inspired here you discover something new
about yourself, for yourself and at times by yourself ¨
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FINAL DESIGN My pavilion has the purpose of creating a breathing space away from the city where you can relax, listen and focus your thoughts - like a secret location. After wondering around the path you can sit down and enjoy the peace. The rods will naturally blend in with the surrounding nature, providing a natural camouflage. It creates a contrast between the circular layout of the pavilion, with it being open to everyone, but at the same time it is hidden from sight. Thus, it welcomes everyone, but it is only those who go looking that will discover the location.
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The roof construction is made of pine, similar as many of the other art-pieces on the island. Down from the roof comes the rods that are bearing, stiffening and space forming in this project. They come down into four points and it is the rods that form the shape of the pavilion. From a distance, the rods will blend in with the tree trunks of the trees in the background.
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SECTION Ragnhild Ongstad 39
FINAL MODEL
REFLECTION Studio Earth has been a major aspect for me to develop both my design thinking and design methods. I am left with additional skills, techniques and knowledge on how to generate and develop a design. Through three different architecture tectonics I developed a concept that was translated to architectural form. Through site analysis I was able to consider how circulation, sound, views and so on can be connected to the design and the reasoning behind choosing a specific site. Through precedent research, I was inspired and gained more knowledge that I could utilize in my design process. Finally, with a lot of practice throughout the semester I improved my ways of communicating my ideas orally and with graphics so that my message was sold to the audience in a meaningful way. Studio Earth was an engaging experience, which has left me with a lot of new input, that I will be useful for my future design studios.
Bibliography ArchDaily. (2017). Herzog & de Meuron and Ai Weiwei’s Serpentine Gallery Pavilion design revealed. [online] Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/232661/herzog-de-meuron-and-ai-weiweis-serpentine-gallery-pavilion-design-revelaed.
ArchDaily. (2017). Apple Reveals Newly Renovated 5th Avenue Store. [online] Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/181941/apple-reveals-newly-renovated-5th-avenue-store. Dalvesco, R 2015, ‘Kandinsky and Chernikhov: Point, Line, and Plane’, [The American Journal of Semiotics], The American Journal of Semiotics, vol. 31, no. 3-4, pp. 397-416.
Herringisland.org. (2017). HERRING ISLAND PARK HOME PAGE. [online] Available at: http://www.herringisland.org [Accessed 7 Jun. 2017].