Chi Hang (Will) Cheung Arch 101
Spring 2015 City College of San Francisco
Learning Portfolio
Introduction
This is a learning portfolio showing the progress I have made so far in the first half of the 2015 Spring semester. In this first half of the semester, I was introduced to the design process. The process is about looking for the best solutions to certain problems or issues.
Therefore, according to this concept, my instructor, Jerry Lum, has assigned series of design issues for me to solve throughout this half of the semester. This designing journey had been very meaningful and fun that it has broadened my horizon about design.
1st Iteration:
Malevich Reinterpreted into Tectonic Form Objective Study and choose a particular part from the composition, by Kazimir Malevich, to use as a floor plan to make a 3D model. The model has to be within 8.5”wide x 11”high x 6”deep.
- Chosen part (top right) - An image of the composition(bottom right) - Top view of model (lef)
Reflection on the 1st Iteration The first Iteration was assigned on the first day of meeting, which is very unexpected, and is due two days later. In such a hurry, I decided to use whatever I had in my house to build the first model. I used a shoe box, transparent tapes and a scissor to finish the assignment. The shoe box was not very easy to handle, especially with the weak scissor I had at the time. As a result, even though the model doesn’t look very fancy, it took me about 5 hours to finish, which is too long.
Goal for next iteration: - Find material I find more comfortable to handle - Get needed tools to improve crafting
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Front view(left) Side view(right)
2nd Iteration: Malevich Reinterpreted into Tectonic Form Objective Create a 2nd iteration based on the Malevich composition according to the same limitations and requirements. Get deeper into the design by recalling what is taught during the first critique session in class. -
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Top view of the 2nd iteration(left) Initial chosen part from the Malevich composition(upper right) Additional part that I decided to add(lower right)
Reflection on the 2nd Iteration
For the second generation, I was more prepared. I spent some time during the
weekend going to the supply store to get some cardboard, cutter, glue and some measuring tools. Therefore, the progress of building the model was pretty smooth. I added lots of different elements I found interesting into my 2nd iteration. Comparing to the 1st iteration, this iteration has a different core body, which is the C-shape object, and the added cuboid that connects the square column that’s hanging on top. There are a couple of things that I found interesting in my model: 1) The rotating relationship between the main body and the square column. why? It adds dynamic to the whole design. 2) The view that is framed by the core body looking from the back. why? It gives transparency to the design. 3) The way the objects connect to the core body by merging in it. (the square column and the lower Goal for next iteration: cuboid) - According to the interesting why? It creates a strong relation between them. elements, expand the design
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Side view(top) Back view(lower right) Front view(left)
3rd Iteration:
Representation, Drawn Representation, Design Elements & Principles Objective Develop the model from the last iteration without considering the Malevich composition. Expand elements from the last iteration.
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An overview (left) A top view (right)
Reflection on the 3rd Iteration This is one of my favorite iteration because the form is very exciting that I feel like it
was a giant step forward from my last iteration. According to the last iteration, I mainly focused on the rotation and the transparency on this iteration and created a little extension. 1)added similar objects and adjusted form of previous objects. ďƒ˜ It accented the transparency throughout the whole design. 2)added a second square column parallel to the original one. ďƒ˜ As the size and the complexity had increased, the rotation would be too subtle if I was to keep only one square column. As a result, I added a second one hanging in across the model.
One weakness of this iteration is the
crafting. Although it seems consistent, I actually used crafting tape to cover the crafting mistakes. Goal for next gen.: - Better crafting.
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Top view(top) Sides(bottom)
4th Iteration: Language, Narrative, Scale, Site, Layered emphasis Objective Develop a narrative for the model including 3 spatial experiences. Insert more architectural vocabulary into the narrative. Consider elements like Scale, Transparency etc.
- Front view(left) - Top view(right)
Reflection on the 4th Iteration For the 4th model, I made a major change of the material. The black material is foam board.
The material was unexpectedly difficult to control for me, especially when it comes to gluing them. As a result it took me a long time to figure out a way to finish the work. Another change I made was the opened spaces. It was influenced by my classmates. From their design, I realized I didn’t fully use my past models’ inner space well. I made them all closed when there was a huge potential inside. Therefore, I decided to cut some surfaces open to explore the interior of my design. However, I found that the openings I made were more like decoration, instead of something meaningful. -
Front view (left) Back view (top right) Side view (lower right)
Goal for next gen.: - Create a narrative that helps to explore the design. - Try to avoid meaningless decorations.
5th Iteration: Language, Narrative, Scale, Site, Layered emphasis Objective Develop the narrative. Emphasize the spatial experiences.
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Side view(left) Top view(right)
Reflection on the 5th Iteration Narrative:
You will see two openings at the front end of the building that evoke two different feelings. The right opening gives a sense of mystery because of the lack of lighting and the chaotic interior. When you try hard and take a look at the interior, you will see a light source at the very end the of room. If you’re afraid of darkness, you would never choose to get in there. The other opening one the left is not really an entrance, but you can still take a look at the interior from it. When you take a glance, you will be excited to find an entrance to get in because the sense of safety it gives you. You will see an entrance the left side of the interior. It’s easy to figure a way to get there. You just have to go around the building. Before the last few steps until you reach the entrance, you will find something even more attractive. It’s the picture of the whole building. You couldn’t see it a moment before because you were so attracted to the two openings. The layers of the building is giving a sense of surprise because of the collapsing-like column landing across the entire picture and the dynamics of the parts behind the column. -
The two openings(left) The view of before the entrance(right)
6th Iteration: Form, Scale, Proportions, Beauty Objective Complete the narrative Describe the qualities of experiences What experiences will be evoke in certain areas and spaces?
Reflection on the 6th Iteration Getting inspired by one of my classmate’s work, I decided to make my next model with a theme of sharp ends. This is one of my favorite iteration.
I like how the rotation happens on the base and the 2nd floor. It creates a sense of being embraced. In advance, it becomes an area like a playground right in front of the entrance where welcome people to stay with companies. The other side of the design is very exciting, too. The way the second third floor pop out is very special. The two floors have their own shape, but they are still going around the similar theme which is the sharp ends. The lid that covers half of the third floor is a very interesting element, too. It makes the third floor a destination of the whole design. It attracts people to go check out and be under the lid. -
Some drawn images of the design as a human’s point of view.(left) Back side of the design showing the attractiveness of the 2nd and 3rd floors(top right) The embracing feeling of the base(lower right)
7th Iteration: Experiential, Space, Sequential Experiences Objective Focus on evoking diverse sets of experiences through a journey. Develop new narrative that walk through the design. -
Side view(left) Back view(middle) Front view(front view) Top front(top right)
Reflection on the 7th Iteration This iteration is very different from all the previous iterations. I gave up the core body that I had been keeping throughout the design process because I tried to narrow the pathway and focused on the climatic places. 1st climatic place: This spot gives the whole image of the design. The image invites you to stay for a while to predict what would happen in the journey. This spot also produce a delighting atmosphere because of the sun light that’s hitting on the wall and ground in the indoor, which can be seen before you step in. The mixing of the sun light and shadows is the most exciting part of the climatic place.
2nd climatic place: This is a pathway going up to the highest floor. During climbing up the stairs, the image that lands on the left side, is the key of the climatic area. The openings on the wall framed the sunlight like the last climatic place. The openings also invites you to take your time to climb the stairs so that you will have a chance to get to appreciate and enjoy the different pictures that every opening produces.
3rd climatic place: This area is the highest point of the design. It’s also the final destination of the design. This spot mainly provides the view of the most energetic part of the design. The image is supposed to evoke a feeling of a dramatic fiction movie scene. The other end of the 3rd floor.
8th Iteration: Nature, Precedence, Responses to Natural Forces Objective Express the design as a frame(bone). Expand and deepen your perceptual sensitivities; And power of observation.
Reflection on the 8th Iteration Building sculptural models is very different from the building the previous
ones I have made so far because I can’t rely on the card board any more. There were some new consideration came along with the process such as the firmness, appearance and structure. It was quite a challenge to make a sculpture that is very close to the previous iteration. In this iteration, I had to change the structure of the second floor. I tried to frame a surface that surrounds the core body. Then I added a slope surface to surround the outside of the second floor. I first didn’t put much strengthening construction into the model. However, gradually, the design started to get fragile. Then, I realized the importance of strengthening construction. The strengthening construction can be used to not only support the bodies and walls, but also create surfaces.
9th Iteration: Nature, Precedence, Responses to Natural Forces Objective Create surfaces on the sculpture. Create complexity. Research for exemplary designs that respond to the physical of site and the forces of nature.
Exemplary Design This is the Stamp House. A design by the Charles Wright Architects. I choose this exemplary design
because the way it’s hanging above the lake makes me think of the second floor of my design, which is half hanging and half attaching to the whole design. Based on this exemplary design, I think my design is suitable for a similar environment, where the second floor can be occupied above a lake or some similar natural environment. I believe the dynamic of my design will stand out even more by that.
Reflection on the 9th Iteration Adding surfaces to the sculpture is like giving a soul to the model. With the skins and bones combined, the model produces a sense of complexity and is a lot more interesting than the pure sculptural model, the previous one. There are two main features that I find especially important to my design: 1) The curved surfaces on the second floor. •
The curved surfaces bring extra dynamic to the whole model
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It also creates a balance to the third floor, a stronger relation
2) The openings on the back and the first floor of the model. •
The openings boost the transparency of the whole model
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It’s kind of like the skin is being tore off so that the bones become visible
Frustration Throughout the learning process, there were two frustrating moments that I remember the most: Failure on controlling foam board. Because I wanted to add contrast into the design, I got myself some black foam board. The foam board is very solid, which is good for my model. However, at the time I only had school glue. It was very frustrating that it takes a lot longer for the glue to get dry on foam board than on card board. I overcame the issue by being extremely patient to pull everything together. After this iteration, I decided to use black card board instead.
- The night I spent extra hours working on the model because of the unsuitable glue I had.
The second experience of frustration is similar to the last one because it’s, too, about handling new materials. After the lesson of “Skin & Bone”, I was assigned to create a sculpture of my design. I decided to use balsa wood to build the model. However, I didn’t do enough research before I started. I failed to connect the wood because of the inappropriate glue I had. As a result, I fail to meet the deadline of the project and didn’t have a chance to participant in the critique session. After identifying the problem, I immediately bought a hot glue gun and caught up with the class.
- The night I found out school is totally inappropriate for wooden materials, no matter how strong the form is being created.
An overview of the learning process - 1st-5th (left to right)
An overview of the learning process(cont’) - 6th-9th ( right to left)
Conclusion The process has been very valuable that I’ve gained plenty of knowledge about design and architecture, which I had non knowledge about before taking this class.
In the process, I learned that a good product can not be created in just one night. The key to create good product is the design process. In the process, we ask ourselves series of questions, bring up tons of problems. Then, step by step, we find the solutions for each immediate issue. Eventually, we will end up with a complete, meaningfulness or even best solutions for the questions and problems we’ve been exploring. Therefore, I came to understand that there’s no reason to be afraid before we even start as long as we figure out a way to approach to the problem or issue. Then, I want to mention the importance of embracing failure I learned from this process. We have to learn to accept criticism. Although criticism does hurt our feelings, when we think about it closely, it is what drives improvement. Listening to criticism also broadens our horizon. We can absorb others’ opinions that we may not have considered and create something beyond our thinking. The whole process had been quite intense, comparing to other classes. However, after I did some research on what other architecture students outside are doing, I sort of understand the necessity of this hurry. Our instructor is being responsible to push us forward. He really has his reason, and it’s not deniable if we are to compete with the outside world. I’m looking forward to the next half of the semester and the final project.