STUDENT WORKS
ALA121/Design Fundamentals 1
Instructors
SHRISTI OJHA ELENA ROCCHI Fall 2020, The Design School Arizona State University
CORWAUN CLARK
My design has been greatly inspired by the works of Clarence w. Wigington. He created many works but I focused on his water towers with observation decks that honoured nature while respecting it’s untainted beauty. I believe great design should create a shared feeling of astonishment and joy, no matter the space; therefore, I constructed a model that would improve my happy place. My happy place is a construction of boulders that sit against Lake Michigan in my hometown. At dusk, the air sings as each wave caresses a rock while the seagulls quiet themselves. The space becomes a sanctuary from the bustling city a few miles away. The components of my plywood model reflect that space that sits above the coastline. I wanted to create a space that felt like an intrusion on the natural world instead of new spaces separated by thick walls; therefore, the space is designed to only be sat in. Those who rest in the space should feel safe from falling into the lake since there are guard rails placed around each beam.
RAQUEL COLMENERO
My spaces start just by making a shape, and from there, we move on to creating a space. The process is long, but I have learned once you just bit the bullet and go for it, you will create something extortionate. For my micro-environment, I just wanted to make a room that can be added to a part of the house; little did I know that I was living in the exact replica of what I was designing. For my butter board/ stick models, I didn’t have a set mindset of what I wanted to do; the end result was what defined what each project was meant for, and I’m happy I didn’t describe it before because it would have been more stressful. At the end of the day, you can make the space whatever you want; it doesn’t have to have a specific meaning; it could be whatever you imagine it to be.
ALEXA BEAL
With this stick model I did not have anything planned out, instead I just started gluing sticks together and placed them where I thought they fit the best. The more and more I explored, the easier it felt to place the sticks. I tried to place them in a way that would create a nice balance to the structure, but also not be too repetitive. A lot of the sticks actually go under part of the model, which enabled it to be turned upside down, but also removable. Overall I wanted to create a stick model that did not mirror the universal structure of everyday buildings, but formed a more unique and non traditional layout.
MARIANA FLORES
With my knowledge and imagination, I was able to gather all my ideas and put them into not just one but several other projects throughout this semester. Every single new project we had assigned, my mind would get to work and start thinking of numerous different designs as I have always wanted to have the best ideas out there. Even though completing architectural classes through a dormitory due to the pandemic can get old, I kept myself motivated and made my projects fun. For me, working on projects has been sort of a therapy and a passion that I get to do as my homework. I can spend hours and hours working on models and thinking about how to improve myself and I will not notice 8 hours have gone by. It is a great feeling knowing that my homework is something I look forward to do because I enjoy doing it..
NATHANEAL IWINSKI
When we were told to excavate our Butterboard squares, I immediately imagined a pool. As the project developed, I noticed the entire construction always made sense to me. When I constructed the wooden canopy to complete the project, I found I wanted to create a space that wouldn’t impede the poolside experience, but improve it, offering privacy and cover from the elements (sun, rain, wind). I wanted the cover to balance over the excavation and be simple enough to stimulate an aesthetic nature. The canopy begins in the deepest area of the excavation and quickly offers an arm to support the covering which is now evenly distributed. I used as few materials as possible to minimize the complexity; I believe that the easiest way to understand an art is to make it simple so all viewers can understand and enjoy.
LAUREN GEISELHOFER
When creating this space I wanted to create somewhere you can sit outdoors with friends and get some shading. I’m from Arizona so I was going in with the idea of an outdoor seating area with shade so it can help keep people cool and out of the sun. I reflected on some outdoor areas I had been to in the past and looked at my butter board models and picked on what I thought would create a unique outdoor space. I ended up creating an outdoor awning that had a section of it going higher with an opening for some light . Underneath the awning I added a small square that is a splash pad for kids and families to cool off. In the winter the splash pad can be covered and converted into a nice fireplace. Overall I really liked how this turned out and I’m super proud
LEILANI FUENTES
Over the course of these projects we focused a lot on transforming the previous space into something new. Finding a way to make them all somehow connect. When I was making my micro-space I had in mind the idea of a garden. Somewhere peaceful where a student can go to study while being surrounded by nature. The space is meant to feel open, the walls built out of fences so that the people inside can get a view from outside the structure. I wanted my structure to be clean and a hint of a geometric factor. I decided to use this to my advantage and model the space in the butterboard project. Using the butter board project I was able to come up with the basin wood stick model. One of the models includes a lot of pyramid type forms to which I wanted to imagine as buildings in a plaza that can be transformed into a sitting area or perhaps a shopping store. Another I saw a bridge used to cross a ravine. And lastly the base of a greenhouse. Going back to the ideas of nature and a garden the model reminds me of a
ANGEL SAGASTE
When I began the process of creating my micro-space environment, I began by brainstorming of a large interior space that will be of very good use. I knew I wanted my axonometric space to be a place where people can go to create, but also to think in. From the start, I had in mind a large table to be able to design at, but also an area where someone can go to in order to relax and brainstorm new ideas. After drafting many different sketches of possible spaces, I ended up with two different rooms in my space. I did this because I wanted the thinking space to be quiet, so it couldn’t be connected with the designing space. The first room in my axonometric is a large table for surface area to be able to construct. My second room is composed of three separate seating areas for brainstorming and collaborating.
JOSHUA JONES
In my designs, I attempt to bring simplicity to projects that could be interpreted into complex obscurity. Sometimes we forget that we are not designing for other designers, but for people who know nothing of it. I feel it is always important to incorporate past designs into our future, as to connect and learn from our predecessor’s mistakes and feats. Accessibility and functionality are most important to me, as I constantly think about how someone might interpret and use the space I have created. I also enjoy the use of simple shapes and forms to describe space and convey meaning. What I tend to find most difficult is balancing design and functionality, as they tend to, more often than not, comply with one another. Amazing design is created by balance, and sometimes things don’t work, so the more we try, and the more we fail, the closer we get to finding that balance.
KANTHIKAN KANJANA
While composing this model, I looked deeply into the butterboard project prior to this and the endless possibilities that will create a little space. As I began to imagine an environment in which this space will occupy, everything began to fit together. Nothing was pre-planned but the ideas came together as if I have been to this place in real life. The inner section has an interesting design to it as I laid the sticks in a way that it would be slanted. The building will provide shade, while enhancing the natural environment around it. I wanted this model to be simple yet fitting. Fitting with the environment which surrounds it and what it would be used for. As a student in design class, I believe that everything we decide to add onto our work has a purpose. To me, I made this project to connect people to each other and to our surroundings.
AKANKSHA SRIVASTAVA
This is a space I created thinking of an aquarium. It is a very simple design that will allow humans and sea creatures to interact without disturbing one another. This aquarium has three sections; this is o prevent the disturbance of the natural order while still keeping all the animals alive. The largest one is for deeper sea creatures such as sharks and whales. The small wide tank is for smaller fishes that live higher than 30 feet, the bottom of the tank has sea plants but I didn’t have any pictures of sea plants, so I added grass from my garden outside. The long tube-like tank is for humans. This will allow us to look at the sea life from different levels without disrupting the animals. Even though we brought the sea creatures to our human world, we should still consider how to make heir stay as natural as possible, that after they are no longer in need of human care, they can easily adapt back to the ocean.
MARCUS TILMON
Throughout this project I was pushed to think outside the box. Not only was this a challenge for me but I feel like I did a great job. This model is my first model I did. Learning from my peers I have been continued to tweak and adjust my model before the super pin up. Learning from my peer’s new ideas and different ways to expand on my models helps tremendously. Several times I have thought and looked at project and try adding them to my project as well. This only helps my project in the long run. This model is only going to get better overtime especially learning from multiply trial and errors There was only one hard rule that it had to be no more than two inches which made it interesting. But all the other freedom helped my mind expand on things tremendously. All in all this project was a absolute blast and I really enjoyed it.
TY ROBINSON
When I was building this model, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to make or how it fit into the real world. I ended up with a structure, and made interpretations on how the space could be occupied after. To me, this space could be used as maybe a stage that’s half opened where people can perform. It can be a center ground for practice and has a balcony to overlook the area. I think the simplicity of the design allows for more possibilities and can be used in a number of areas. I see it as more of a foundation, that when decided on what the space will be, can be further refined to make it what it is.
JUSTEN LONG
The project began with excavating butterboard squares, where two different excavation, independent each other were formed. The idea then developed as I began placing sticks on top of the excavation. With numerous iterations, I began exploring three dimensionality of form and space. This model is not a result of a preconceived idea but rather a reflection of iterations and explorations that I went through in the process.
Compiled By:
SHRISTI OJHA
sojha3@asu.edu shristiojha2@gmail.com +1 480 246 7805