Midterm Learning Por/olio Rue Critchfield Arch 101 Fall 2013
Ice Breaker Assignment:
The First assignment was to arrange 12 items on a 8.5� x 11� cardboard back. One of the main focuses early in the semester was repetition. The cause for my project is to make it a memorial/prayer piece for the Great Earthquake in 2011. I perceived the importance of repetition through the folding of a 1000 cranes.
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Strengths: I see strengths in making it a memorial piece for the Earthquake. For I can guide my design decisions through this main idea to give it a deeper meaning. Weaknesses: The use of staples to attach the pieces was a bad decision for it is not aesthetically pleasing. If I do stick with the staples I will find a way to incorporate a design language with it, possibly through creating a patter with the staples. My iteration also needs to be less flat, for I am missing out on visual and spatial opportunities. Challenges: It was a challenge for me to illustrate my intentions. Most people did not know that in Japan we fold a 1000 cranes for when someone is ill or hurt, and me relating those cranes to the devastation that took place in Japan. Discoveries & Opportunities: The instruction manual for how to make a crane can be taken out. I believe it is restricting my creativity and aesthetic potential. I plan to keep the cranes, but want to use string instead of staples. I want to convey a sense of flight in the cranes by lifting them off of the surface instead of laying flat on the ground. This will also help in filling the space giving the piece a more 3 Dimensional look. I want to have a newspaper collage from the date of the incident for the background. Potentially a collage of multiple pictures from the incident.
Iteration 1 I added a variety of color to the cranes along along with using bamboo posts and string to lift the cranes o of the ground.
Sketches: iteration 1 Strengths: The iteration occupies more space, thus creating more of a visual experience. The bamboo and string also promote the Japanese Aesthetic, tying it together with the overall message. Weaknesses: The cranes are too big and cover up the stratified image. The size of the cranes also make it hard to keep lifted o the ground, for the bamboo posts are not strong enough Challenges: My challenge at the moment is to try and pull away from the obvious and the literal. The cranes are also a little too iconic Discoveries & Opportunities: My elevation drawing of this iteration has inspired me for my next iteration. I like that the cranes create a slope and wave form, therefore I plan on making a wave of cranes.
Iteration 2 Wave of Cranes
Iteration 3 (refinement of iteration 2)
Narrative The most significant aspects of my project is the wave itself and the idea that the wave is created by parts of cranes. It plays with the notion that the Tsunami caused by the earthquake brought Japan great destruction. But this tsunami is a wave of healing that will flow over the country. The crane is also a symbol of Japan itself.
Strengths: the wave created by the cranes conveys a sense of movement through repetition. Weaknesses: The symbolism of the crane is too iconic still. The tape is also an eyesore and shows the hastiness with which it was created. Challenges: It is quite challenging to get it to stand up without a backing. It is also diďŹƒcult to grasp the concept behind a narrative Discoveries & Opportunities: I can break the crane down to it’s parts via Kit of Parts to avoid the iconic fixation of the crane.
Problems posed by my 4th iteration is possibly that I have gone too far on the abstract side of the spectrum. The emotions that I want to convey are of knowing the devastation that the Tsunami has created, along with the perseverance of the people of Japan.
Iteration 4
I wanted to create a sense of depth through the shrinking of the spiral as it gets deeper, drawing the eye into the center of the wave.
Kit of parts for Iteration 4
Strengths: the use of the thinly sliced bamboo to connect the wing pieces is strong. It disappears to highlight the wave pieces themselves instead of what is holding it up Weaknesses: the backside of the wing bits still have the pen markings on them. The individual wing pieces are also not exactly the same size, which damages the integrity of my iteration. Also the use of the milk carton takes away from the iteration also. My narrative is quite weak for it does not Challenges: cutting each piece exactly the same size was surprisingly challenging. It has made me realized how much I take granted the consistency in the making of parts in any design field. Discoveries & Opportunities: I have discovered the importance of the narrative to drive my design process. Also I plan on staying away from milk cartons for it is not presentable.
Iteration 5 Narrative The curvilinear lines used in the wave represents nature, contradicted by the sharp jagged pieces used for the creation of the spikes (beak and tail) will represent humanity. The 4 islands that create japan are symbolized by the 4 parts of the crane. The placement of the pieces will be along the line of the golden spiral that is indicated on the white background. The wave can be seen collapsing on itself that points to Japans use of Nuclear power. How it is self inflicting. There will be missing links in the patterns that will symbolize the absence of many bodies that should be there interlocked with everyone else. The missing pieces should be at random, for these losses were in fact random, nobody can foresee the loss of their loved ones.
Iteration 5 (continued)
Strengths: This iteration in my opinion has no strength. Except maybe making me realize that thinking too much can be a bad thing. Need to think less and do more. “Don’t let perfect get in the way of good” – My Dad Weaknesses: A big step backwards. I went back to a cardboard backing. There is no kit of parts. I put way too much thought into my Narrative, which ironically still is not a narrative. My problem at the moment is that I am over-fixated with Japan and the disaster. I can grab the key concepts such as Natures awesome power and the perseverance of people to overcome that power. But my approach is too iconic. I started this project off with a certain idea which shrank my potential for creativity and design language. My piece is also severely lacking emotion Challenges: The challenge for me was to have my creative process match the level of my ideas. The gap between my ideas and concepts and my actual work is far too great. Discoveries & Opportunities: I am truly inspired by the work of my peers. I now have a better idea of what I am supposed to strive for. I am looking forward to trying to create more instead of think more. I will stay away from tape, and the cardboard back.
Iteration 6
Inspiration The black jagged piece piercing the middle of the chicken wire Mobius strip is the Richter scale of the Earthquake. I traced the picture from my Ipad to tracing paper and then traced that onto the black cardboard.
Iteration 6 continued Strengths: I have added more variety in spaces and materials than previous iterations. For once my classmates were pleased with my work, which I will admit made me a little happy. Weaknesses: there is no unity between the elements incorporated. The chicken wire is too arbitrary in the way that I used it. I am still not fully grasping the correct use of a narrative. Challenges: It was challenging to show the mobius shape created by the chicken wire for the think silver wire melts in the background. It was also challenging to cleanly cut the foam core in circular shapes. Discoveries & Opportunities: I have discovered the magic of the glue gun for the first time. It is quite useful, but I have to be careful not to rely on it too much for it leaves no room for interesting honest connections. I have also found an interesting part in the foam core structure consisting of the circles and stacked orthogonal shapes, which is the basis for my next iteration.
Iteration 7 & 7.5 Strengths: The consistency in the materials. It has also allowed me to simplify my idea, albeit a little too simple. Weaknesses: I thought too obtusely of the assignment. I did not know that I was allowed to alter the scaled up models of the iteration. There is no sense of space created within the model. No experiential spaces. Challenges: I had challenged keeping the glue job clean when using a hot glue gun. Along with trying to keep the volume consistent with the original scale model. What I did not take into account was that as I scaled up the length and width of the pieces, I did not scale up the thickness of the pieces used. Discoveries & Opportunities: I still am attracted to the circular pieces growing in size and rising over the other pieces. I will incorporate that into my next iteration. Along with keeping in mind that although the criteria and assignment for each iteration is important, I should think so literally of the assignment and will look to use it as a guideline instead of a strict rule. A classmate also suggested that I start smaller with the cirlces and have them gradually increase in size.
Inspiring Quotes “We don’t do things tomorrow if we can do them today.” – Jerry Lum (Regarding my Narrative) “First, I do not site down at my desk to put into verse something that is already clear in my mind. If it were clear in my mind, I should have no incentive or need to write about it. We do not write in order to be understood, we write in order to understand”. - Cecil Day-Lewis “I can’t grasp much of anything without putting my thoughts in writing, so I had to get my hands working and write these words. Otherwise, I would never know what writing means to me”.– Haruki Murakami
Iteration 8 One thing I did like of my previous iteration was the idea of the rising circles. For me it represents growth, a rebound of a sort. A rebound of a society after a fall. A fall that happens when someone tries to reach or take a step that’s a tad bigger than necessary.
Iteration 8 Strengths: I was able to create more of a language between the elements. I like the growth of the circles responding to the steps that get longer as they go higher up. Weaknesses: The load bearing wall should be adequately thicker. When I started to cut the square pieces out of the main wall, the strength quickly weakened. Challenges: It was challenging to get started on this project because my previous project lacked content and variety of spaces to look into the make a montage out of. Discoveries & Opportunities I have discovered that the best music to work on for me is Nina Simone. She helps me to show emotion through the changes in her chords and tempo. I still like to focus on the circular patter and the growth of that element. However I intend expand the circles not only vertically but in other directions. Up, out, through, besides, diagonally, etc.
Iteration 9 This is my rough draft, the complete version can be seen in the next iteration. I used the milk carton pieces because it is expendable cardboard that lets me make cuts and to attach pieces with no fear of consequence.
Iteration 10 (refined model)
Iteration 10 continued
Iteration 10 Strengths: For the first time I think my iteration evokes a sense of wonder. I’ve created an obvious entrance. Ive created different levels of spaces. An intimate space, a claustrophobic space, an uneasy stairway to a liberating stable open space with available views. Weaknesses: The glue gun created a couple messy spots. Along with the underside (ceiling) of the dome which is a glue mess. The cardboard pieces could be cut smoother too. A solution could be to smooth the pieces with sand paper after cutting them. Challenges: The most challenging and most time consuming part of this iteration was cutting all the cardboard pieces. Though I am happy to use cardboard instead of foamcore. It was also difficult to reconstruct the second refined model with the exact same spaces as the rough draft. For personally I like the spaces created by the original dome. Discoveries & Opportunities: I discovered that what works best for me is use expendable pieces first to play with different possibilities of spaces and tectonic language. I also discovered that what made for a good design is a design that paves a path for my narrative. My designs were not simply what looked good but HOW I WAS ABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS posed by my narrative. The solutions led to further problems which were once again solved. It was actually a fun experience.
Narrative As we approach the structure, one may be reminded of a pile of stones, like a collapsed pagoda, a creature that had fallen and is trying to stand back up. As one walks around the perimeter, they will find only one opening. Massive, dark , but inviting with its curves and low profile. One cannot get directly to the center, for there are walls blocking the way. There is a need to navigate through the darkness, feeling the weight of the whole structure up above. Maybe reminding us of how the victims of the Earthquake in Japan must have felt like, trapped under the tons of stone and rubble. There is a light at the back of the dome, that leads to the uneven staircase along a slanted wall. As one goes up the steps, one can see more light pouring in. The slanted steps forces the walker to keep moving forward to find a level plane to rest at. The very top levels are in the open space, and flat. If this were a real structure, I envision it places on top of a mound with the previously mentioned open view space facing the city of Fukushima. The viewer is faced with a city that had the highest damage in Japan from the earthquake. But one can see not the destruction anymore, but the perseverance and the recovery of a nation, and the power of the people that inhabit it.
Iteration 11
Framing
Iteration 11 Strengths: the frame work enhances the visual experience for it allows one to see the inner spaces that were concealed by previous iteration. Weaknesses: due to the diďŹƒculty of creating circular frames, the iteration had simplified drastically. Losing the staircase and the second roof. It also lacks a variety in thickness of line. The wooden installation is also lacking. I should go further in detail if I were to introduce a new element. Challenges: double layering the cardboard rings took a lot of time. Need to think of a better solution to making the frame. Possibly switching from circular pieces to a linear wooden frame. Discoveries & Opportunities: I discovered that at dierent angles, the spacial experience is amplified. I did not notice until I was taking the display photos that this iteration is more interesting if erected on its side (top right photo)
Iteration 12 This is a rough draft of my upcoming iteration. I have learned that what works best for me is to first create a model that I have no intention of turning in. a model where basically I do not necessarily care too much about how it looks, but more to convey the shapes and spaces that I intend to utilize. The wire it messy, the string is not complete, But it was enough to give me a better idea of what my next model wants to look like.
Iteration 13
Iteration 14 Strengths: The Structural integrity is very strong. The design language is stronger than all the previous ones. I feel proud of this piece. the black string was a good decision. Mr. Jerry was correct in pointing out that the black string compliments the texture and color of the wood very much. The gables at the top continue its language via the view points created by the wooden panels. Continuing from the same pivot point. I like the feeling that the entrance conveys. How the wide opening is an obvious indicator to where the entrance is, and the gradual but extreme narrowing of the corridor which conveys a feeling of claustrophobia, with a release at the end to a very large and liberating opening. Weaknesses: The web-like string going across the wood is extremely weak, any slight pull made the fibers tear, which was frustrating. It also created slack in the string which was not desirable. Challenges: trying to weave the netlike canopy was extremely diďŹƒcult. I will make sure to use string that does not tear so easily in future projects. Discoveries & Opportunities: I have discovered that the ties and connections themselves gave opportunity to more complex design language. How I was able to make subtle designs such as the string passing between the 2 beams instead of around both at the base layers. I used a needle to thread the canopy instead of trying to pass my fingers through the model. This was quite helpful. I also discovered that the once again I was able to solve problems of design through my narrative and through the construction method itself which was very fun to do.
Learning Portfolio Conclusion Valuable lessons to keep in mind for the future: • • • •
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The ability to maintain balance between conceptualization and construction. Avoiding fixations. In my early iterations, Ive realized I had been too fixated on the ideas themselves. This led to stunting the growth of my creative process. Taking advice from my peers and looking at the criticism not as an attack but a helping hand. Organizing my iterations in chronological order really helped me in instantly spotting where I had missed the point of an assignment, where I strayed from the path, and more importantly where I succeeded. Although this is may be a lessoned that I am not even close to fully learning, I have learned to start to be more specific. As I try and get more specific with my work , I have realized when I speak I am very vague. I have just started to notice this but I assume that people know what I am talking about with me giving no specifics. This is a habit I will try to change, which I believe will enhance the quality of my ideas in more than just Architecture. Using tracing paper to sketch ideas and to make them grow into fuller concepts that can then be turned into a kit of parts and ultimately a model. This semester was the first time that I created an abstract model. Time management skills have increased for me simply out of necessity. The pace of the course required for me to get started on projects as early as possible. Also one more thing that I have learned to do from this half of the semester is to work on my project. Regardless of how long, seeing everyday progress made it less anxious and more fun.
Observation and Analysis of Buildings Responding to Site Context and the Forces of Nature
Marin County Civic Center History and Facts
Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright Location : San Rafael, California Date; 1957 Building Type : Public OďŹƒces Climate :Mild Neighborhood Context : Sunurban Style : Modern
Components: 580 Foot Administrations building 880 Foot Hall of Justice 80 Foot diameter Rotunda Approximartely 160 acres
Last Major Work of FLW Largest constructed project National Historic Landmark as of 1991
Marin County Civic Center • The building connects the 3 knolls that are located on the site, thus integrating the building with the site context. • The building pivots at the golden spire and the middle mound (also the biggest) , suggesting the main activity and the focal point to be there • The emphasis on the horizontal and the mass low compliments the suburban background • The Circulation (roads, walkways) works with the nature, never cutting through but instead going around
“[…] and when we know that the good building is not one that hurts the landscape, but is one that makes the landscape more beautiful than it was before that building was built. In Marin County you have one of the most beautiful landscapes I have seen, and I am proud to make the buildings of this County characteristic of the beauty of the County.”
-Frank Lloyd Wright
• The hiearchical patterns create human scale, along with letting in of natural light, lastly at the bottom stage making space to fit the small mound.
Atrium
• The skylight that spans the whole of the atrium allows for natural light to illuminate the corridors • The insertion of the local trees and plants inside further incorporates nature with the building. Along with decreasing direct sunlight and heat • The walkways along the side taper in a V-shape with each floor, guaranteeing light to reach the bottom floor
Conclusion Organic Architecture not through simple resemblance of Nature, but through: 1. Integration of building with site as a whole by extending horizontal planes 2. Reduction in box-like structure with transparency and lightness of walls 3. Reduction in components to allow light, air, and surrounding views to unify building 4. Use of uniform materials to emphasize the form of the building to be clearer and more expressive