Design Studio 3

stein carrington 0902049 design studio 3 as2 semester one 2010/2011

a collection of a semester ’s work

portfolio form +

memory +

ritual

+

mediation

+

precedent

+

bath house

Semester one of AS2, 2010/2011, comprised of four exercises, one predecent study and one project. We were assigned a media that we would employ for the semester’s duration. The tasks form, memory, ritual, mediation, precedent and bathhouse took us on a progression of design and important architectural principles. In groups of three we set upon a semester of architectural discovery.

introduction

stein carrington 0902049 design studio 3 as2 semester one 2010/2011

“Less is more.” Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

contents

1

form

5

memory

10

ritual

14

mediation

19

precedent

23

bath house

1

form

In this exercise issues of dominance, sub-dominance and sub-ordinance arise, these

relationships are

used to compose the overall work of art. Exploration of

various compositions begin the journey of design.

Lecture: Dr. R. Bailey, No. of sessions: three

2

The construct of three rectilinear volumes in orthogonal orientation, on the x,y & z axes. Confined to a 200 x 200 x 200 mm cube the volumes engage each other, in a tasteful composition

Form refers to the external appearance of an object or composition of shapes. Organisation, placement or relationship of basic elements as lines and planes, volumes and voids to produce a coherent image.

Dominant - most interesting , typically the largest and most captivating.

Sub-dominant - it complements the dominant, creating balance and a hierarchical relationship.

Subordinate - This form adds interest, but is least significant

form dominant + subdominant + subordinaate

initial concept designs are essential in conceptualising the composition

3

form The design then progresses to a final orientation.

dominant + subdominant + subordinaate

The parti shows the basic orientation

alternative orientations of the compostion

4

Comprehension of the composition, proposes the dominant occupy the x-axis, the sub-dominant is positioned in the y-axis, however is not in contact with the dominant. Wedged into the dominant, the sub-ordinate holds the sub-dominant and employs the z-axis to communicate verticality.

form dominant + subdominant + subordinaate

5

memory For this exercise

memory would be used as a

generative concept in granting meaning to form.

Lecture: Dr. R. Bailey, No. of sessions: three

6

Memory [mem-uh-ree] - a mental impression retained This exercise took a historic moment in Jamaica’s history and embarked on the task of placing form to its memory. Creating an architectural experience in the form of an installation that can be interacted with both formally and spatially.

As designers we asked ourselves questions to better understand the event, Who were the main characters?, What were the main factors in the event?, What was the context in which the event happened?, What is so important about the event?, What did it affect years later? And How is the event remembered?.

memory no federation x yes independence

From our findings, working in a group of 3 we founds the words that described the event, were detachment, individuality, Ambition, these served as ideas in initiating abstract sketches.

7 Abstract sketches then progressed to a solid abstraction of the event, which was done using prisma colour markers, this abstract piece described the framework from which Jamaica chose to depart from, a frame work which although organised at the time, still had its weaknesses.

memory no federation x yes independence

The design progressives from an abstract concept to a more concrete notion of three dimensional form.

8 As the design gained its three dimensional nature, it had to be guided by, issues of dominance, sub-dominance and sub-ordinance (hierarchy). The construct had to be experienced within 256m3, and the experience had to be about human physical connection to the installation.

memory

Further 3-D exploration was important to resolve the design. This was done through mock models, that articulated the position elements in the composition. The exercise was favourite as design was very open.

no federation x yes independence

9

memory The final product is a concrete form work display of geometry, the design communicates movement through cavities to a point where a major component of the composition is dislodged.

no federation x yes independence

Final 3D models

Entering the installation

Sectional views that describe the installation

10

ritual

As a routine display of human behaviour, a ritual occurs in sequence producing a cohesive composition of movement. This exercise articulates a single space that describes the ritual.

Lecture: Mr. L. Ferron, No. of sessions: three

11 The ritual assigned was that of a non-caribbean funeral, our group chose to explore the ritual of the Japanese funeral. Specifically I investigated the bone picking ceremony of the Japanese Funeral.

An understanding of the motions involved in the ritual were important. The anthropometry of humans in the space was integral, along with the proxemics.

ritual japanese funeral

The ritual was deemed to constitute of intimate and social proxemics, these hence regulates how the space would be resolved.

12 After understanding the intricacy of the ritual, the design process began, where and understanding of space and how it can be manipulated was essential.

ritual

Below shows the initial designs and mock model.

japanese funeral

The final design expounds on the nuances involved in the bone picking ceremony. The act of bone picking bones is the only time in Japanese culture, when two people hold the same article simultaneously with their chopsticks.

The exercise enabled the understanding of how ritual informs architecture.

13

ritual japanese funeral

14

mediation The final exercise of the semester, mediation is about establishing a suitable envelope for a facade that creates a delightful interior space.

Lecture: Mr. L. Ferron, No. of sessions: three

15 The initial part of the process involved sun studies that used a simple model placed on a sun dial to describe the sun’s path from east to west; for the west facade.

mediation

This was done for October 15th, 2010 from 9:00 am to 4:00 p.m.

In the design process two times were considered of consequence on the facade. 4pm on the winter and summer solstice. These times account for the most intrusion of harsh light. A narrower barrier on the left of the facade allowed for northwest night breezes.

9:00 am

10:00 am

11:00 am

mediating the west

12:00 pm

1:00 pm

2:00 pm

3:00 pm

4:00 pm

16

mediation Investigating how the facade would mediate the interior and exterior was pivotal in arriving at an ideal design. Being able to embrace the good of the tropical climate yet shield the occupant from the harsh climatic elements of Kingston, Jamaica.

Exploration through mock models, December 21st 4:00pm, Winter Solstice

mediating the west

Exploration through mock models, June 21st 4:00pm, Summer Solstice.

17

mediation mediating the west Investigation through sectional analysis

Orthagonal Views

18 Eventually the design progresses to a combination of the two initial designs. Where a very solid facade with the cavities is fused with the vertical shading elements.

The exercise proved a lesson in communicating the relationship between inside and outside.

mediation mediating the west

View from the interior, with harsh exterior light

19

precedent Architectural analysis of the Paper Church by architect Shigeru Ban was the goal of this precedent. This analysis investigates formal and spatial aspects of a work of architecture No. of sessions: two

20 The Paper Church was built on the site of the Takatori Catholic Church subsequent to the earthquake that rocked the Nagata, Kobe, Japan in 1995.

The Church remained in Japan until 2005, until it was permanently placed in Taiwan.

precedent paper church - shigeru ban

Initial analysis of Paper Church

21

The Church as analysed using, the knowledge gained from the previous exercises.

An understanding of form, memory, ritual and mediation.

precedent paper church - shigeru ban

22 Studying and understanding works of architecture aid aspiring architects in forming well informed design decisions.

The Paper Church proved a great study of form and the unconventional use of materials.

precedent paper church - shigeru ban

23

bath house The first project, was the culmination of the semester of architectural discovery. To develop a bath house that communicated an architectural idea, that intimately related to the nuances of the Japanese bathing ritual.

Lecturer: D. Cuthbert, No. of sessions: six

24 Understanding the Japanese bathing ritual was the first step in design. The process of entering, removing footwear, paying for administration, undressing, showering and finally bathing were analysed. The ritual of the Sento informed the architecture

bath house sento in the city

25

Be welcomed into a community of skinship, experience the sensual revitalisation of light and depart with a rekindled sense of self.

bath house sento in the city

26 The Japanese Sentō embodies socialisation and kinship through the revealing of skin. The bathing ritual of the Sentō represents a departure from the outside world into community.

The Sentō’s design speaks to these qualities while providing a space to savour a sensual experience.

bath house

The architectural promenade of the Sentō takes the visitor through a progression of subdominant spaces and finally to a dominant bathing space that relate to verticality; all the while maintaining the genius of the bathhouse.

sento in the city

27 The promenade also extends to the pedestrian path connecting the two streets.

The bathhouse mediates its urban context by inviting natural light into the bathing spaces, south sloping roofs of the bathing space, and louvered openings invite the climatic conditions, owed to the park to the south and the right adjacent single storey building..

bath house sento in the city

28

The bath house was an enlightening end to an informative semester of architecture.

bath house sento in the city