Abstraction Taylor Donsker
Arch 402b
Professor Corsini
Spring 09
What is Abstraction?
Drawing emotional correlations to a non-representational object?
“Anger” 12”x12” Collage Media: Newspaper
“Confusion” 12”x12” Collage Media: Marlboro Cigarrette Container/ Red Stripe 6 pack Container/ Luggage Tag
In “Anger”, an emotion is conveyed through the crumpled pages of a newspaper spread. Does the viewer understand Anger in the form/appearance of the final object? Or does an understanding of the action taken to create this appearance better evoke this emotion?
What is Abstraction? An understanding evolved through the analysis of discrete details?
“Anger” 8.5”x11” Painting Media: White Taskboard
“Depression” 8.5”x11” Painting Media: White Taskboard
“Joy” 8.5”x11” Painting Media: Brown Chipboard
In “Anger”, an emotion is conveyed through the chaotic paint splats. Does the color of the paint inform the viewer toward the artists intent? Or does the force and method of the paint being thrown at the canvas better evoke this emotion?
What is Abstraction?
Modifying something to alter previously understood spacial and material perception?
Light and Transparency Model
“Spacial Study” Close Up 14 ga. 1/8” Circle Perforated Metal 14 ga. 1/2” Honeycomb Perforated Metal 14 ga. 1/8” Circle Perforated Metal
“Light and Transparency Study”
In this light and transparency study, an opaque material, metal, is pierced with perforations. The overlapping of these perforations delivers the delight of infinite and unexpected patterns. Combined with the folding of the metal, the position of the viewer actively alters the perception of the object as solid or transparent. The “Close-Up” view demonstrates a scaleless quality by completely denying the viewer any sense of beginning or end and any known object for comparison.
What is Abstraction? Objectifying a sensational observation?
“Shadow Study”
Shadow Model 14 ga. 1/8” Circle Perforated Metal 14 ga. 1/2” Honeycomb Perforated Metal x 2
“Shadow and Pattern Study”
What happens when the effect of an object becomes the object? In “Shadow Study” and “Shadow and Pattern Study”, the focus is not on the object casting the shadows, but the shadows themselves. In “Shadow and Pattern Study”, the casted shadows create three dimensional cubes. Thus, the two dimensional shadow becomes a three dimensional object.
What is Abstraction?
CSUN University Club Conception
“The Bridge” Concept
“Plane and Column/ Disappearing” Concept
Altering the eye level, abstracting the physical realm. When trees are grouped into groves with an unnatural, even, gridded spacing, lines are formed in vertical and horizontal directions. These two concepts utilize this observation in different ways. The “Bridge” concept has an occupiable roof at the same height as the top of the tree canopy, turning the trees canopy into the ground plane by effectively hiding the ground below. The “Plane and Column/Disappearing” concept converts thin columns into tree trunks, the roof into the building canopy, and the floor into the ground plane. The spacing of the columns is equal to the spacing of the trees, causing a man-made building to enter the manmade environment of the orange grove and disappear.
What is Abstraction? CSUN University Club Conception
“Reflection Study”
“Horizontal Louver Study”
“Formal Study”
Manipulating a 550ft. extruded square. The parti was developed quickly, a straight line placed in the center of the grove. But how to express it? The “Reflection Study” utilizes polished stainless steel panels that reflect the surroundings, virtually making the building disappear. “Horizontal Louver Study” seeks to explore a breathable architecture that shades and permits natural breezes to flow through the space. “Formal Study” was simply a play of solid and void subtraction to define spacevs.
What is Abstraction? CSUN University Club Proposal
The proposal extends the orange trees across the site and places a single, linear building in the center of the orange grove. Faculty will understand that it is within the orange grove, but must filter through the orange trees to access it.
What is Abstraction? CSUN University Club Proposal
Ground Floor
Only when inside the building will faculty understand it as a single, uninterrupted and unpartitioned space raised four feet above ground. Inside the space are two bars, two lounges, a large dining hall, and private meeting rooms.
What is Abstraction? CSUN University Club Proposal
Residential Plan
Slid under and sheltered by this large space are several visiting scholar residential units. Access to these units is on the northern and southern faces. Because the northern side of the building receives more foot traffic, a less direct, ramped and hedged entrance provides a barrier between normal traffic and the private residence. On the southern side, a direct, single staircase provides access into the residence.
What is Abstraction? CSUN University Club Proposal
A metal curtain composed of perforated and folded cor-ten steel shades the southern glazing entirely. Each residential unit below is shaded by the cantilever of the building above as well as two peach trees. The building is to be entirely passively cooled, and heated through radiant floor heating. Northern winds pass through the perforated curtain, under the vertically sliding southern glass panels, and out the northern horizontally sliding wood and glass slotted panels. These horizontal sliding panels on the north faรงade allow access to the northern balcony and allow for an outdoor experience when within the building.
What is Abstraction?
CSUN University Club Proposal
Contextual Diagram
Northern Elevation
Northern Section
Without ignoring the larger context of the university campus, the university club serves as a link for the under construction performing arts center (the green rectangle) to the existing dormatories (the red rectangle). The size and appearance of the building draw abstract resemblances to low technology agriculutural harvesting equpiment.
Oblique Wall Section