THOMAS BIBA
FINAL ARCHITECTURE 102 PORTFOLIO
KITE PROJECT SUMMARY • in my kite project I sought to create a design that would influence people in a
certain way - specifically to cultivate wisdom - (kite, in german kuze, means owl)
• my hypothesis was that symbols carry meanings that are inherent in the objects
themselves
• example: through extensive research I found that there were two major
species of owl, “barn owls”and “normal owls”. They have very different and distinct facial features; barn owls have a rounded face with darker round eyes, normal owls, have distinctive “ears” or “horns”, and more triangular shaped faces. Owls live in every area of the globe accept the two poles. And in every culture the barn owls are seen as symbols of death and mystery, and the normal owls are seen as wise, and mystical creatures. In order to explain this universality, I theorized that the this cognition comes from signifier which exists in the inherent nature of the facial geometry itself. • Though in oder to say this more conclusively I would have to do much
more extensive research, with a deeper understanding of cognitive sciences
• I since have learned that this response is fundamentally incorrect, however it may
not be completely invalid - by most it is considered that meanings are not inherent in things - and the little bit of research I did on owls and the cultures that perceive them in this way is conclusively universal • in short most part of this semester was built on the successes and failures in
the first half, to apply my theories about the social and psychological influence of forms to the social and behavioral ( and psychological affects of spacial forms, programming and organizations that the crafting of space has on the human mind • I worked on materiality and drawing as well as presenting, and
organizing and focusing my ideas, to help capture manifestations or snapshots as data points documenting these processes that I believe are a necessary element of the design proccess
• hypothesis • program • relevance to thesis • pros • cons • conclusions • questions • what learned
S I T E A N A LY S I S
S O C I A L A N A LY S I S AND RESEARCH • My group did research on the social and cultural aspects of the our site Stanyan and Haight • Zena photo graphed peoples faces on site, devin conducted interviews, Jessica interviewed and
photographs shop owners,
• I interviewed a tourist, a police man, locals, and street people - more than interview I dwelled in
the cultural habitats of people from each of these cultures for hours on end, making sociological observations about culture and interactions base on perceived meanings • my goal was to use sociology to understand peoples perspectives, and the meanings they
assign to different symbols, to see which meanings they had in common with each other and what meanings did they not (example - policeman patrolling on block - to them this is an act of watching for organized crime) - someone else could interpret this as a threat) (me asking a tourist a question - for them could mean potential danger)
• my goal was to use this information and my theories about how space can influence
behavior to create a space where these different groups could interact and through the abstract experience of car full crafted symbolic forms, allow people to experience the same phenomena in a different way, form someone else's persecutive from another population on site, so that they could then, after walking through the structure have more shared meanings to form a basis for new levels of understanding and interaction.
-3 POPULATIONS - STREET PEOPLE -LOCALS - TOURISTS - SOCIAL HUBS - C U R B B E F O R E PA R K , M C D O N N E L L ' S - ALL THROUGHOUT - WHOLE FOODS AND ON LEFT S I D E W A L K FA C I N G E A S T - O B S E R VA T I O N S - S T R E E T P E O P L E VA L U E C O M M U N I T Y AND IMMATERIAL ITEMS AND CUSTOMS ASSOCIATED - T O U R I S T S S E E T H E M S E LV E S A S OUTSIDERS ABOVE PEOPLE IN THEIR SURROUNDINGS - L O C A L S VA L U E I N D I V I D U A L I T Y TECHNOLOGY AND MATERIAL ITEMS
G A T H E R I N G PA T T E R N S -ORGANIC, BIOMORPHIC, DYNAMIC - M O V E M E N T, SINGULAR EXPERIENCES - R E C TA L I N E A R , FIXED, REGULAR - C U LT U R A L A N A LY S I S - VA L U E S - NORMS - HISOTRY - LANGUAGE - SYMBOLS
SOCIAL EXPERIENCES AND O B S E R V AT I O N S O N S I T E
• Significance: • eventually this will show in its significance to
my final concept
• I touch on this concept in later research • its the ethos of my architectural style and
language
• interaction with “street people” • I spent 40 minutes interacting with a man named Lamar, I jotted things down while I hung out in their circle • I learned Lamar was from a high socioeconomic background and that he left home because he wanted to hop trains and travel • I witnessed a calm and dynamic atmosphere in our interaction • I theorized that this may be a result of the geometric organization of the group and specifically where people were oriented in their
environment influence what they see and how they feel as they interact
• people ply hard outer shell but have softer insides • interaction with police officer • I interview a police officer named Elizabeth. she expressed a deep love for the people in the area • she used to life in a situation similar to many of the people that squat in the park • she said that although drugs and crime are issues, most kids don't start out doing it, they are socialized into it. • all police want to do is to prevent organized crime, don't care much about small time drug dealing. Their goal to to help people
from not getting addicted to drugs,
• interaction with tourist • I asked the man one question and he looked at me scared and confused and then went of, as if fe felt he was superior to me.
HYPOTHESIS ABOUT SOCIAL ISSUE AND POTENTIAL ARCHITECTURAL RESPONSES • as the building, and structure relates to
the actual influence it can create and embody in the reaction and behavior of people on site - and even if not it shows what lengths I went to - to understand how the social issues on site should be taken into serious account when addressing site program and design
• proxemics is a form of non-verbal
communicate that has to do with spacial orientation. Physical layouts of buildings literally structure these experience that can be described scientifically as forms of social communication and aspects of culture
• Throughout my project I seek to find ways to
apply these concepts and this theory and I also look to expand it
• the above images portray geometric setting arrangement as whole food cafe,
people either face each other 100 % or they face directly foreword (either challenging or disconnecting • below depicts geometric organization of street kids, since they gather in
concentric circles, there orientation are neither completely facing, nor completely facing foreword • this i theorize explains the communal behavior of street kids, and explains the
individualist, capitalist and consumerist behavior of people at whole foods (establishment)
“Lay down these words Before your mind like rocks placed solid, by hands in choice of place, set before the body of the mind in space and time: solidity of bark, leaf or wall riprap of things: Cobble of milky way, straying planets these poems, people, lost ponies with dragging saddles and rocky sure-foot trails the worlds like and endless four dimensional game of Go ant and pebbles in the thin loam, each rock a word a creek mashed stone Granite: ingrained with tormentor fire and weight Crystals and sediment linked hot all change, in thoughts, as well as things”
• Adjectives
• this helped provide a theoretical
• interconnected • cord, interlink, unite, fuse • metaphysical • theoretical imperceptible, spiritual,
ideal, visionary, cosmic, transcendent
• physical • somatic, material, corporeal • concrete • effective, unquestionably literal • abstract • metaphysical, theoretical, romantic,
etherial,
! • multidimensional
focus or unity or path to my conceptual development • The poem is very astronomical
and touches on ideas of consciousness, and the connection between the mind and the body and mental act as they relate to physical acts • this is important and significant
realization and contribution to the holistic understanding of what it is that I intend to do in this semester and in the future of my career
NOTES/BREAKDOWN WORDS HIGHLIGHTED WORDS LINKED TO CONCEPTS LISTED CONCEPTUAL ADJECTIVES D E V E L O P M E N T O F C O N C E P T AT T H I S S TA G E
6 GESTURE MODELS • interconnected, metaphysical, abstract, concrete, physical, multi-
dimensional
• 1) The primary goal of this model was to explore the experience of
how varying set of concentric circles can conjoin to create more complex forms that are intelligible -its inspired by the native american hoop dance
• 2) the same, repeated circular form in a spiral is meant to be the most
basic and unintentional exploration of fractal geometry, and its connection, how it alludes to the truth within the structures of nature
• 3) the wild model to the left symbolizes and celebrates randomness,
and the process of extrapolation where the truth becomes distorted in transitional form waiting to be reorganized, this is an intimate process know to humanity
• 4) this model is meant to mimic a simple topographical map, and it is
an exploration of how to model surfaces and structure that mimic the patterns of the earth
• 5) this model is an experiment in applying the theory of proxemic
interaction I discussed in previous slides. “walls around edges and on the left side are curvilinear pathways, and the pathways on the right are rectilinear; this is meant to highlight individualist vs. collectivist cultural norms embodied within physical structure. The height of the rods neat the curvilinear symbolize the highness of collective culture
• 6) this model is an experiment in expressing how the rectilinear can
transform into the curvilinear, how the origins of mathematics progressively deal with more and more lines and edges and points. it also represents deconstruction of the hypercube a 4D shape (in poem)
TREE MODELS CHOSEN TO DEVELOP FURTHER • metaphysical • the role of this form of inquiry will regard primarily the ordering
principle, that will guide future designs.
• questions: does this field cover both forms in nature and
ordering principles
• response: here ordering principle is primary and form is
secondary
• concrete • the role here will seek forms that mimic nature so building can
appear as though it folds into nature
• questions: does this model cover both ordering principles and
forms in nature
• response: here form is primary and ordering principle is
secondary
• abstract • the understanding of the abstract and the process of
abstracting is paramount to developing symbolic communication
SITE MODEL BASED ON GESTURE MODELS F I R S T I T E R AT I O N
• hypothesis: will certain geometric forms lure a certain group of people; in this case will the white nodal pieces that are connected to the metaphysical model
attract “street people” or spiritual locals? • explanation: The three primary elements are indoor/outdoor spaces for and the street people to enter. its meant to lure them in and to have forms that
theoretically mimmic their cultural values, establishing familiarity. the central structure is meant to blend in with the topography of the surroundings so it appears as if the culture of the “street people” emerged directly from nature. • program: build a structure that integrates metaphysical and concrete concepts, as defined by me for this exercise, that is within smalls site limitation • relevance to thesis: touches on concept of integration and identification • pros: interesting contrast of materials and spacial typologies, creates interesting contrast • cons: craft is poor, execution of concepts is uncle, representation is too loose • conclusions: good start, but refined much much more • questions:what is the most pragmatic way to build or embody concept iI theorize • what learned? good design takes time, make sure you a lot yourself to have enough time..
ABSTRACT • The structure on the right is supposed
to be an abstract representation of the police, because embedded within it is a hand gesturing to stop.
• as human beings we abstract
information and interpret it, giving it socially defined meaning. These symbols we come to know are part of our abstract language - this understanding is part of how i develop my formal architectural language
• this conceptual thinking can lead to
expression given more nuanced symbols that involve the nature within humanness — such as brain structure and mirror neurons
• hypothesis: hand facing towards you is an authoritarian symbol accosted with the police
in our culture, this establishes the connection of the model formal language to the thing it is meant to represent
• program: design cop symbol in model • relevance to thesis: explaining how the concept of the abstract relates to human
perception, architecture, and design, and conciseness
• pros: good craft, clear there was a careful and methodical building process, language
communicates abruptness
• cons: model could be more complete, and have more secondary and tertiary elements,
and potentially skin too, also how is it clear that this model really communicate the police signifier? if so how why, if not, why how
• conclusions: use knowledge about symbolic language to build on new models for new
iterations, apply what you have learned
• questions: what are the fundamental setbacks to the kind of thinking and process you are
conducting, is it architecture? should it be architecture? what does it tell you if it is not?
• what learned? even though meanings are not inherent in things, symbols are still valuable
because it allows us to track cultures as they are now, preservers in the slowness of time
CONCRETE •
the path of inquiry in the field of concreteness, has to do with formal language which are abundant in nature •
•
this will help me to create spaces that are more nuanced and natural in tree/park setting,
topographical maps/ sectioning trees with other natural forms/ structural repetition in nature/ underground animal architecture/ study materials employed in earth architecture • hypothesis: nature is concrete because it has constant ordering principles, studying and
mimicking this will make us more aware of ourselves and give us a model to understand human behavior in space
• program: build model built on natural ordering principle • relevance to thesis: for many things in nature, we have symbols that represent their
meaning or significance to us or our culture, Analysis of this type of understanding could open window to how the human mind works and solves architectural issues
• pros: solid craft, beautiful execution and result, learned how to create subtle variation in
form using sectioning technique on multiple angles
• cons: not completely finished, could have more variation, and the form could be broken as
well, could have skin, entrance and exits cold be more clearly defined
• conclusions: model helped me understand a construction technique, however the issue of
finding self ordering systems is still unresolved
• questions: what form does this model mimic? (water?) - If not what do you think it
symbolizes - warning you may fin other people interpretation vastly different than yours
• what learned?: simply building and engaging the hands, guides you as an architect down
the path you need o go
M E TA P H Y S I C A L
• Notice the image to the left, where all the 6 gesture models can combine to create many collective
structures, not only does this address complex new theories of architecture such as theories of component part construction, but it also alludes the concept of fractal geometry and self similarity
• case study - many african fractal villages are observed to be built primarily in fractal geometric
organizations, and the forms of organization are sometimes connected to the intentionality and meaning to the social functions of the structure. (every building with it has certain measurable functions and dysfunctions)
• The main model in this set is an experimental model that works with fractal geometry in the
representational sense, however not yet the refined socially functional sense
• the chip board model is a fractal that follows the shape of all the rainbow gatherings that have
occurred in the United States, the form repeats within itself theoretically onto infinity. This is meant to symbolize now the site is a microcosm for a larger global movement, it is the cultural epicenter.
• Rainbow Gatherings are gatherings of primarily hippie and beatniks and free spirits in national
parks for a could months at a time every years. I am using this to create a fractal to allude to the fact that there might be some lager truth to this unintentional map or patterns that Ii want to highlight and I am using fractal geometry as a tool to represent that consciousness on site and in the experience of the structure
• hypothesis: fractal geometry can be used to communicate larger symbolic meaning through its
understanding of self similarity, that shows how the site, is a cultural epicenter for the hippie, beatnik movement of love and consciousness throughout the united states and the world. • program: build a particular type of model that is a fractal, based on the specific ordering principles on self -
similarity, that mimics the overall mapping of rainbow gatherings in the united states • relevance to thesis: though this excursive is primarily representational, I believe fractal geometry can be
used to program spaces (forms and shapes of internal walls, barriers openings, framed views, and seating organizations) specifically to oder people’s interactions in such a way that makes them more spontaneous and natural - this exercise is merely a step to getting there. • pros: models is actually a pretty accurate fractal, and is based on pretty solid data, that portrays clear
patterns of gathering on the united states - though this may take an explanation to fully see • cons: bottom of motel is too much like a base, does the model really communicate the concept of
metaphysical-ness? how does that conceptual gap get bridged • conclusions: successful understanding of how to apply principles of self similarity to skin like surfaces and
potentially basic forms (still need more investigation to understand how i manifests in three dimensions) • questions: how do I start to break down fractal geometries application socially and in three dimensions? • what learned?: case studies on specific phenomena can be useful to create new tools for deeper
understanding but also make more challenging to keep a unified whole design concept
CASE STUDIES ! • Topographical Mountain City: I looked at this example to
understand how a structure could intricately mimic or even embody natural forms while still on a monumental or macro scale. This example uses a structural system that also looks a lot like a complex sectioning technique.
• Underground Architecture: I investigated this building to find
a way to create a structure that was largely hidden, underground that still had a distinctive design while blending almost seamlessly with nature
• Fractal Village Geometry: I revisited this specific geometry,
that echoes the research done in the jester model to understand the concept of self similarity, to the the structure, within itself, embodies natures forms and self similar repeating forms, and internally consistent self ordering or organizational principles
S I T E M O D E L S E C O N D I T E R AT I O N
• hypothesis: through the application of all of my research, an unobtrusive, self similar structure, that mimics forms in nature will blend in with
site (and at this stage I also wanted to integrate the three groups using symbolic language that attracted them each individually into the space, and them lead them to a collective space where shared meanings and understandings and communication could be achieved) • program: build a structure that applies your research to a site specific, relevant model • relevance to thesis: model based on research will be embed with the wisdom and essence of nature, (and eventually create a language that
can build the platform for applying the social goals of this project) • pros: is very successful at applying research concepts and case studies • cons: doesn’t address social issues at all • conclusions: do more research on design tools and socially scientific concepts to realize social goals • questions: how can I explore more underground structures to be more unobtrusive • what learned?: focusing on one goal per iteration seems to be a healthy practice, this model was successful at what i set out to do, and I feel
the next phase will to
NEW GESTURE MODELS + REFINED CONCEPT • The first gesture model is an evolution of the models
in the abstract category. This model explores symbolism associated with the hippie movement through the application of symbolic elements of the peace sign - which is evident the the secondary and tertiary smaller connections near the connecting points of the primary frame expressions
• The second model is an evolution of the concrete
category and explores the geometric from of the tree through the sectioning technique to try to understand how its geometry is internally organized, to understand nature even more, and to apply it to verticality so that the concept will blend in better with the extreme hight of the trees on site 100-150 feet tall,
• The third model is an exploration of the
metaphysical/physical category and is meant to be a nodal model that will let in sunlight from a smaller opening in the surface that allows light to pour into a larger gathering piont underground. The steady angling of the walls is carefully crafted to accommodate 33% sun angle in the winter, and a 50% sun angle in the summer, and it will also receive consistent light throughout the day.
SITE MODEL I T E R AT I O N 3 • hypothesis: creating an underground system of pathways and nodes that receive sunlight at
different times can map out important events in the development of hippie culture, by aligning one of their inner components or essential geometries to the specific sun angle of the time of year that that event occurred. This will create a direct experimental capsule hidden from the surface experience of life, giving a deeper analogy to what wisdom is and where it resides. • program: build system of nodes, that create collective experiences of significant points in history
to create a cultural crescendo of interpersonal experience • relevance to thesis: this idea attempts to put time, space, and culture into an inextricable linked
system, that creates a rich, layered, and nuanced experience of truth (with social consciousness, and harmony as it purpose) • pros: amazing profound idea • cons: unclear if people will really “get” this meaning if it is not thoroughly described to them (this
may yet be even more symbolic and meaningful in the context of wisdom because it shows how hard wisdom is to find and achieve and hold, even if you have an some inkling of where it might be) (though profound, this may be impractical) (the tunnel system may also be socially dysfunctional in that if gives people another place to squat - not only would the space be used for an unintended purpose, but if would be counter productive to the idea goal. • conclusions: ideas are great things, but unless realizable, it is challenging to make use for them in
the here and now, this idea may defiantly provide inspiration for what is possible to do with contracting things in the physical world that harmonize functionally with nature, they transcend the physical, and go beyond the imaginable. But here we need architecture that harmonizes with human beings, not only nature. • questions: How can one achieve harmony within nature and human beings separately and
together distinctly.? • what learned?: the shaping of the physical world can be incredibly profound, because it can
create consistent experiences. Don’t loose this treasure, because it is architecture at its truest core (this is not the only matura) (its is but a drop in the ocean)
SITE MODEL 4 T H I T E R AT I O N • since the underground concept was hard to construct, i will refine the
previous design • making it unify the design language of my kite with my most recent
successful unified design • problem: still doesn’t address the social • hypothesis: by creating a model that unites the previous design and the
tectonic language from my kite will create more clarity and build a platform of unity for the next model to realize itself • program: create a model that combines the embodiment of nature through
mimicking earths forms, fractal geometry, and abstraction of symbols to the theorized language of wisdom tapped into from the kite project • relevance to thesis: combines theories of wisdom to theories of nature to
create the foundations for understanding humanity • pros: language is rich, primary frame expression has rhythm, repetition and
variation, there are secondary connections that mimc formal language in new material, adding structural integrity, the skin material mirror the texture of the ground, and the widows mimic the new overall layout, in a fractal, there are two clear openings that represent underground nodes
• pros, formal language borrows from
midterm kite projects
• cons: though an interesting combination and integration of previous ideas,
this design offers no new ideas about social issues, the formal language mimics the old but is irrelevant to the character of the three populations or groups of people who’s culture and language I am seeing to provide a potential understanding of unity for which starts with symbolic representation • conclusions:good synopsis of previous concepts, now work on integrating the
three culture’s formal styles • questions: how will you • what learned?
• cons, design framework still does not
accurately represent design concepts
F R A C TA L R E S E A R C H - N E W C O N T E X T T O U N D E R S TA N D G E O M E T R Y, A N D HOW IT CAN AUGMENT ALL FORMS O F O R G A N I Z AT I O N - P H Y S I C A L A N D , ALL ENHANCING DESIGN
SYMBOLIC INTERACTION RESEARCH - U N D E R S TA N D I N G C O M M U N A L C O N C I S E N E S S W I T H I N S PA C E S C R E AT E D - W AY O F V E R I F Y I N G I F D E S I G N I N T E N T I O N S V A L I D LY W E R E ACHIEVED
R E - E V A L U AT I O N OF DESIGN CONCEPT • language is clear in the sketches and further more specific adjectives
that guided their creation.
• out of this process I learned that my original concept was hard to
realize in the time allotted for this project, so I had to seek a simplifier
• the answer came to me from things had learned in my philosophy class
this semester, where I learned that one of the most esteemed moral acts is to exalt people, especially those who have been oppressed
• This lead me to the idea of exalting just hippie culture as apposed to
trying to represt all three groups indecently
• the attention of other groups would be drawn in anyway, because
they are on site, what the structure and to show them is that hippie cuklutre is significant, valuable and has something to teach - and to allow people of this culture to feel valued and appreciated and to be given a place where this feeling would be instilled every day
• (hypothesis: a structure with three separate nodes will attract the
three different groups with symbols that are familiar to them, to guide them into a communal space that blends all the symbols together, that will integrate these three groups that were once divided by integrating the symbols they have access to, therefore augmenting the meanings attached to those symbols, and give the people a social and physical context and space to create shared meanings, and to create new language to share the shared meanings)
• therefore, I decided to branch
my design path toward the symbol of the local culture, the overhanging form that looks like a series of pathways
5 T H I T E R AT I O N OF SITE MODEL • this model was an interesting leap
from my previous design
• the program was to be a soup
kitchen, with a circular kitchen at the center, and and urban farm on the top,
• along with this design there are
concepts of sustainability and circulation
• pros: richer meaning • cons: more literal - looks like tree
S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y B O A R D
SOLUTION TO PROBLEM OF LITERALITY • I abstracted the tree form
into a multi-nodal, multidimensional experience, where the exploration of space illudes to new self discoveries as it holds, a continuous flow of the unexpected.
FRAME EXPRESSION OF F I N A L I T E R AT I O N • abstract language is rich • primary and secondary line
weights
• primary scondary and tertiary
openings - strong hierarchy
• unique form, celebrates hippie
culture, relates to soup and the flowing of liquid, is abstract, has forms that mimic forms of tree, is partially underground yet also visible.
SECTION DRAWINGS • B
• illustrate inernal spaces
• A
• A
• learned value of section drawings • embodyment, documentation of form • without pathways
• B
• Human
PLAN DRAWINGS • how illustrates concept
• 3
• 1
• 2
N A R R AT I V E , C I R C U L AT I O N , S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y, PROGRAMING • hypothesis: • program: • relevance to thesis: • pros: • cons: • conclusions: • questions: • what learned?
FINAL MODEL1 16TH SCALE
FINAL MODEL 2 1/8TH SCALE • allows one to get closer to
being able to imaging what it is like inside
REFLECTION • learning outcomes + self evaluation. • and it is my mission as an architect to use sociology and psychology and philosophy to
understand how spaces influence our interactions, perceptions, and eventually our cognitions “actions” and behaviors • in this specific case my original theory is not fully realized - the closest my final project
gets to it is the abstract forms the geometry represents • my theories don’t have an “on the ground” influence • the reason I strayed away from this was because I felt that it was more essential for my
success in the class to focus on abstract language, than to test a theory. • this is a more complex problem to be addressed in future work…. • reflection on presentation, what did I learn? how will it help prepare me for 103?