Architecture 101Final ProjectLearning Portfolio

Christaine Maynessa DichosaDecember 17, 2013

Site Analysis

- During our first meeting for our final project presentation, we were given our designated courtyard, which is the town, to analyze and decide our chosen site. Professor Jerry introduced us to what the requirements are that we need to comply for this final project. First we have to study carefully the given site provided to us, and choose which place we want to enhance and build our project.- Doing the site analysis, I learn that being too technical is not enough to fully understand and analyze the site because I learn that only getting measurements and not observing the site carefully and open mindedly can minimize my chance of discovering important strengths and weaknesses that could help me fully improve the site.

My Site Analysis:

- In the beginning I thought that the wind is only coming from the west; however, carefully observing the site, I noticed that there are also wind coming from the east and north side. Even though winds coming from the east and north are not that strong compare to the strong wind coming from the west, the wind can still become a problem to my future structure. Also, I observe that even though the sun coming from the east often lights the whole courtyard, the site that our group later chose is the only one being shaded because the batmale building is blocking the sun. - I also observe that the court yard can become very cold, especially during Fall to Winter because the sun is setting low. Furthermore, since the site provided to us is all cemented, it is difficult for us to integrate nature in our design. For there is only one tree in our site.- Lastly, Although our chosen site is located in a man made area, its strength is it just have a flat surface, which can make it easier for us to install structure, unlike the top courtyard that have a lot of slopes.

My Chosen Site:- I chose the area near the trash can as my favorite site because it is the place where the sun stays the longest, and at first I want to integrate the opportunities that the sun can give for my design. Moreover, I like this site because the site is located near the stairs, which made it easier for me to chose possible framed views. And at first I thought that by being located under sun, I can manipulate people to go to my structure, since it is warm.- However, I later notice that in the Fall and Winter seasons my chosen place is also the same as the other, which can be very windy and so cold. Moreover, the sun does not stay in the courtyard long anymore, which means that I am making a gamble in creating a design that just entirely focus in the rays of the sun. But, being fixated on what I want, I still continue to pursue on creating a design that just depends to the sun, and I also started to neglect professor Jerry’s other requirements, which is to respond to the site. I regret doing that, and I learn that sometimes I should also be prepared to other possibilities, and not expect that what I have is always enough.

Iterations:

I was surprise when professor Jerry instruct us to bring three new iteration, that best responds to our favorite and chosen site, individually; because I thought that starting to this point it would already be a group project. However, I found out that in the beginning of the project he specifically told us that we need to first create an individual iterations so that when we are already in groups, we can integrate positive ideas and design concept to use as our final structure.

Iteration 1:

Strengths: - It has repetition

Weaknesses:- too simple.- consist only of one space.- and it does not respond to the needs of the site, only to the sun.

Discoveries and Insight: - I discover that I have accidentally created an interesting facade to my structure, which I can can use to my next design process and develop.

Iteration 2: Strengths:- interesting design concept- have hierarchy and repetition- cast good shadowsWeaknesses:- Still consists of one space. Just improved the first iteration- to revealingDiscoveries and Insights:- I learn that when creating a model, it is also important to base the size in a human scale and I should work in making my design compliment the natural surroundings of my chosen site.

Iteration 3:Strengths:- improved design compare to the second- Weaknesses:- it can only be considered as a pathway- Still too revealing- nothing to catch the interest of the viewer, meaning too plain.Discoveries and Insights:- I found out that I still need to work on my fixation to one space designs, and create a design that consists of multiple and experiential spaces. Also, I was too focus in creating something for the next class that I did not consider integrating the requirements proposed by Jerry for our final project.

- Another discoveries, which was point out by my classmates, is that I can create a new space by integrating stairs in my structure. The up and down design not only create a new space, but can give an experiential experience to the people.

Iteration 4:

Strengths:- My strengths on this iteration is that I’m introducing the aspect, hide and reveal.- Another strengths of this iteration, according to its critique, is the distortion of the peripheral vision of the viewer.

Weaknesses:- Again too simple and only consist of a single space, that is why it is only seen as a path way.- the use of material does not communicate or compliment with one another.Discoveries and Insights:- My insight to my fourth iteration compare to my third one is that I am beginning to apply complexity to my site. However, I still do not integrate the response that I need to give to my chosen site. Moreover. I was to focus in coming up with a design that respond to the sunlight that I forgot to follow the requirements.

Iteration 5:Strengths:- the craftsmanship is improving, and it is not too revealing anymore.- I have started to integrate facade to my structure to create interesting shadows.Weakness:- The material still does not compliment each other.- still have on space.- do not have an intended viewDiscoveries and Insights:- I discover that by integrating obstacles in my structure, I can manipulate the peoples action once inside my node.

My fifth iteration

Iteration 6:

Strengths:- have already fulfilled in creating multiple space.- improve the complexity of the design concept- starting to integrate the requirements and starting to create a communication between the materials used.Weaknesses:- consist of only one material- my designed structure is not integrated to my chosen site and it does not create the intended view to appear special.- I don't have altered different view, I only have single frameDiscoveries and Insights:- I should explore more materials and use it to my new iterations.- I learn that I should integrate to my design ways to make the intended view seem special and connect my design to the view.

framing the view

Iteration 7:Strengths:- Creates multiple spaces- have an interaction place to sit.- it extends the experience inside the structure.Weaknesses:- the plastic seems out of place- bad craftsmanshipDiscoveries and Insights:- I know that I have done a bad craftsmanship to this iteration; however, I tried to integrate new materials and play around in order to see new opportunities to my design.- I discover that by putting walls inside my structure, I can make my once single node into multiple space. Moreover, by using fat, hard materials I can manipulate the people’s feeling, that they are entering in a cramp space.

Iteration 8 Strengths:- created a fun, daring and experiencial design- I was able to integrate the transparent plastic by using the wire as a transition.- make the intended view special and interesting.Weaknesses:- It is too familiar- According to the critique, one can see a canopy and a treehouse appearance bottom structure.Discoveries and Insights:- I learn that I should stay away or stop my obsession of doing a house like structure. In addition, I really need to find a way to create a design that respond to my site and not just to the sunlight.

Where people look for the frame view

Iteration 9:

Strengths:- have further improved the facade- successfully integrated the intended experience, which is a cramped and misleading space.Weaknesses:- the fabric didn’t compliment the wood; the fabric in this structure just appeared to be a covering to have a roof and a composite wall to the structure.Discoveries and Insights:- I discover that by combining two materials I can create an experiential space.- Also I need to further practice my integration skill in materials.

Iteration 10: Strengths:- I was able to create an interaction between the curvilinear and rectilinear shapes.Weaknesses:- too chaoticDiscoveries and Insights:- I discover that I can integrate my chair by using the fabric as one. - Moreover, I learn that although I have started to get out through my fixation of space, I was too focus on my design that I did not find a way to integrate it to my desired site. I did not also consider if my design is applicable to the actual construction.

The Team Dark Corner:

Narrative:

A journey of diverse spatial experiences through light color and sound. Responding to the annual journey of the sun. A time of celebration, festival and rebirth at the Winter Solstice. Dualities in nature; light and darkness, certainty and unknowing, mind and body--reflected in framed negative space existing between canopy and structure; two separate nodes symbolizing different and competing reasoning paradigms--a jagged abstract structure, attempting to penetrate and occupy space in all directions, imbued with colored ambient light to heighten the experience, and give a sense of wonder and astonishment. Contradictory spatial dimensions endowed with transparency--space recedes and fluctuates in continuous activity. Mirror or lens of nature, periscope and soundtube used as an extension of the senses providing insights and creative response to spaces beyond immediate area.

Site Rationale:We choose the dark corner because it has a lot of needs. Because of those needs we have found a lot of possibilities to answer those needs. Such as, redirecting the sunlight to bring brightness to the commonly shady corner. Moreover, we begin to like the site because there are a lot of bolt holes that we can use to instal our structure. In addition, the wall also partially block the strong wind coming from the west side of the courtyard, giving us the advantage to use light materials because it will not be easily swept by the wind.

Site Design Response and Concept:

- Our group responds to the site by bringing light to the forlorn part of the yard and connecting the upper courtyard to the bare man made surroundings of our site. However, even though we want to bring light and color to our shady site, our group still wanted to keep the essential bareness of the place. So, in order to respond to that we made our bottom structure black to remind us of the dark nature of the site. Furthermore, we were able to utilize the wall by using it to our structure as our main structural component to which we connected our canopy and other array of objects.

Inspiration and Research:Rjukan, Norway:Obscured by valley and mountain, mirrors used to reflect the low winter sun, thereby creating thousands of square feet of additional light. Colored Glass Shard:We were inspired by the colored glass shards because despite it looking chaotic when shattered, it is still beautiful to look at. It is reminding us to our site because we are located in a challenging site, which can shattered us depending on how well we can utilize its few strengths and make it beautiful.

Materials:

Canopy: * Fir/White wood* colored cello wrap*semi transparent white plastic sheeting

Bottom structure:*Foam Core*Black plastic sheeting

Sun redirector:* Swiveling Television mount* acrylic Mirror

Periscope:* 3 inch diameter PVC Pipe and elbow* small mirror

Connectors:* eye bolts* rope* black and white duct tape* screws, nuts and washers* Fishing line

Material Rationale:

- Our Group used foam core wrapped with a black plastic sheeting for our bottom structure because its lightweight made it easier for us to redesign our structure to make it work in the actual installation. Moreover, our group want to use an economical materials so that we can save money. In addition, we decided to wrap it with black plastic sheeting in order to protect it from getting wet if ever the weather decided to rain- Next, we use fishing line because its transparent aspect made our hanging black structure seems like floating, which can give an awe appearance in the distance. - Furthermore, we use white wood for our canopy because we want our canopy to not only be lighter, and not become a danger to the people below, but at the same time being a little heavier, which can help in bringing stability against the wind and can help hold our bottom structure.- We used rope in hanging our canopy because it is much stronger than wire, which was our original choice in hanging the canopy. By using rope, we are certain that it can hold the weight of the canopy and will not be afraid to let people pass below the canopy. - We use an acrylic mirror because it is not too heavy to be installed it the air, and it is easy to drill holes into it in without shattering it to pieces.

Findings and Discoveries:

Findings, Discoveries, and Insights:

- We found out that using shipping tape to attach the colored plastic to the wood is risky because if it will rain the water may seep through the sticky side of the tape and may weaken its durability. Moreover, once does stick to the sticky side it can also essen the strength of the tape when attached to the wood, which may not be strong enough to endure the weight of the water that will retain after the rain.- I also found out that because of the cello wrap’s static the dust keep on sticking to our canopy.- We also found out that the direction of the wind is not only coming from the west side of the courtyard, but at the north side as well. This causes problem to our group because the north wind keeps on making our flimsy, lightweight black plastic sheeting covered foam core to fly with the wind.- Moreover, we discover that we can manipulate the tying of connecting of the rope as part of our design. We discovered this through the help of professor Jerry.- We also discovered that it is impossible to make our first conceptualized design model to our actual site, which is we redesign it to make it actually work in our site.- Lastly, we thought that the ramp can become a hindrance to our structure; however, as we were looking for ways to stabilize our bottom structure, we were able to use that ramp as an additional lock to make sure that our bottom structure will not fly.

Time Laps:

Juror’s Positive Opinions:- The Jurors said that our team was clever and a risk taker because we were able to come up with a project in response to our needy site, and that we were able to do it in a short amount of time. In addition, they like how we were able to break down the barrier of the wall by making a periscope and connecting our structure to the upper courtyard. They were also amazed that we use foam core, which is weak and flimsy, as part of our design.-Moreover, they said that we were able to make an experiential site by making some of our black bottom structure seems like flying. - For the canopy, the jurors is amaze by our work irony in making a seemingly heavy material to float in the air. - The jurors also liked how we used different strategies in order to respond to our needy site; like redirecting the light, using colorful materials, and building a periscope.- In addition, they said that our structure is well made and full of ideas.- They also liked, the dynamic nature of our design, how our structure is moving with the wind. Furthermore, they said that we were able to evoke forefold.- They also complimented us for our resourcefulness.

Critique:

- The jurors proclaims that we lack an intimate space in our structure and should have made our second structure the intimate spot.- They also said that even though we were able to integrate our chair, they believe that it is still not fully integrated to our structure.- Lastly, they said that we should develop more our joinery techniques by putting washers to the hole, which can make the hole look cleaner..

Conclusion:

Working on this project helps me learn a lot and made me mature to what I was before taking architecture 101. Working in a team project helps me adapt to my team mate’s personalities and work with their flaws in order to create a successful design. Moreover, taking this class was not easy, but with all the learnings that I was able to learn, it was worth choosing architecture as my career for the future. Moreover, even though there are times that I already want to give up, my professor and classmates are always nearby encouraging me to go on, which is how I was able to finish this class. I know I still need a lot of improvements and still need to change a lot of my old ways in order to become successful with this career; however, I learn to our professor that by having a positive outlook in life, I can do anything and be happy about it. In addition, for those future students taking this class, my advice to you is to have patience in this class because the result of your patience would be a lot more fulfilling than just giving up halfway. Taking this class, is hard, but also a lot of fun. So, taking this class you should be ready to commit yourself wholeheartedly in order to succeed.