Midterm PortfolioARCH 101MEGHAN MARTIN

Week 1: Opening the Can of Worms

Icebreaker Exercise: from words to form as an abstract personification of you Consider this algorithm to carefully craft a phrase that hierarchically best describes your personal qualities: (adv., adj) + (adv., verb.) + (adv., adj.) = me; as an example: creatively adventurous, persistently seeking, empathetically responsive. Using this descriptive set of words, construct a small-scale construction that can be hand-held in your palm in any position (i.e. your construction may not have a base) that is an abstract personification of yourself.

My first iteration was somewhat of a failure. I made a scroll for the phrases to be read from, although it was a haiku. endlessly jazzy, continuously probing, constantly changing. I felt the idea was to express yourself through the verbal and then use the construction to demonstrate the words.

The second iteration was a far greater success. I believe the wire used to hold the figure together gives it a jazzy gleem. The overall repetition used by the shapes of the triangle gives it a continuous and endless possibilities of ways it can be held or viewed. By using different triangles scaled to different sizes you can pick up a sense of hierarchy sense of hierarchy.

This week as with i’m sure the rest of the semester we are playing with language through architecture. By defining ourselves through a model we are learning how to take an idea or theme and express it through shape, material, repetition and organization. By being able to make multiple iterations we are able to have an evolving process. Adding in the class critique and we are able to get the opinions of others so that we can tell if we are getting our point across. the tectonic language can quickly be described as: The language of architecture, the phrasing of words used to describe what a structure looks like and then makes us feel. The phrases we used to describe ourselves could be an example of how we used a tectonic language to describe our personality.

WEEKLY QUESTION

What is design? What is architecture?

DESIGN-Decide upon the look and functioning of (a building, garment, or other object), typically by making a detailed drawing of it. Design is an idea that has both ornament and practical purposes.ARCHITECTURE- The process in which structures are thought out through a design process and then produced to be functional aids to human need.

● Can you build without design?

YOU CAN BUT IT WOULD BE CHAOTIC. DESIGN IS SIMPLY A PROCESS IN WHICH YOU ORGANIZE YOUR THOUGHT AND IDEAS ON A CERTAIN PROJECT.

How are the practice of architecture and architectural theory related?

Well through architectural theory architects make decisions in the design process that are acknowledged to convey a certain feeling or concept.

How does architecture impact our consciousness and shape our experiences? Why can architecture and design in general be construed as a language? (Phenomenological approach)

The simplest way to demonstrate how architecture affects or consciousness is to compare a large room and a small room. A small room will leave you with a feeling of confinement and large room will leave you with a feeling of emptiness. Through architectural theory you can contain design into a language.

Why does architecture as a language have both syntactic (grammar) and semantic (meaning) aspects? (Structuralism approach)

The grammar would be the structural integrity of the building. The proper ways to make a structure stay erect for example, the meaning of the building comes with the way you shape the rooms and exterior or the way you transform from one space to another.

Of what value is it to intentionally deny traditions and conventions and challenge our perceptual senses? (Deconstructive approach)

I suppose the reason would be to make you think about why something was designed that way. New ideas can sometimes improve or add a new twist to an old tradition.

Week 2 Representation

Deconstruct your icebreaker construction into its constituent design elements: point, line, shape texture, space, size, value, and color; and document this kit-of-parts accurately and at full-size as a drawn representation. Re-construct to better communicate hierarchical patterns and expressive intentions. Generate new solutions that consider the design principles of balance, rhythm, emphasis, and unity. Work towards the creation of work that inspires first yourself and then others.

Deconstructing the model and taking inventory of what it was made from was helpful in that i was able to more thoroughly look at the process in which i used to make it. The process itself was erratic before I took it apart and then rebuilt it. After taking it apart and having clearly defined what i was looking to define though my model (balance, rhythm, emphasis, and unity) I was able to go back and construct something far more coherent. Having a logged system of parts makes designing easier because you have organized all of your possible materials. In a way you are setting bounds for your brain, letting it analyze only the essential parts needed for your structure.

Weekly Questions

What are the relationships between architectural form and the human body? (Anthropomorphic approach)

Structures much like the human body protect and house delicate insides. the shape of the body helps the functions of the inside be more productive much like that of well designed structure.

What are the differences between literal vs. an abstract representation?

Literal representation would be something expressed plainly and, abstract representation would be something expressed through impressions much an unconscious gesture.

What is the value of embracing vs. denying the expected norm in design?

The value would be that norm design has been planned out and is easily put together something that is innovative and denies norms found in the general building takes chances and may not always be successful in things such as stability.

Why is organization and ordering of any value? What are the manifestations of order?

Organization can lead to a clarity, consistency and faster design process.

What purpose does rhythm and regularity play in design?

Rhythm and regularity help keep a design flow consistent and help keep a general theme. Keeps a design from being too sporadic and unpurposeful.

WEEK 3 Language

Continue to use SketchUp to develop your kit of parts and virtual modeling before constructing actual physical model.Develop your design narrative by first answering the following questions:

How does the narrative inform our design process and solutions?By making us use language to describe what we are trying to establish through our model. By processing what we see and turning it into a feeling.

What are the most significant aspects and qualities of your constructed abstract design?The repetition and rhythm found by using the same shape scaled to different sizes.

What will a first time viewer of your work see and experience?They will see the repetition in the shapes and the wire used to hold the sticks together.

What does your design primarily represent?My design primarily represents strength by repetitious form.

What are the details of what your audience will see and experience as they engage your work and how these details relate to your metaphors?

I believe they will see triangles built on top of each other and a simplicity in design.

WEEKLY QUESTIONS

How does denotation (primary meaning) and connotation (secondary meanings) enter into our design language?

The primary meaning of the space can be meant in terms of making the intention of what a certain space is going to be used for understood by the design of space itself. The secondary meaning can be considered how the space makes you feel and how that feeling helps strengthen the core purpose of the space. So for example if you are trying to plan a work space. You would create a space that had storage and organization abilities. You would want to create the feeling of productivity by allowing the space to house a way to keep whatever you are working on organized. You might do that with bookshelves, desks, tables, filing cabinets, etc.

How do we develop a tectonic language imbued with both meaning (semantic) and logic or grammar (syntax)?

When you can describe something with such ideas like architectural theory you are able to process something which is seemingly abstract into something defines. You take shapes and relate them to feeling through descriptive words.

How are history, culture, and time related to meaning in architecture?

A good example is how a building is constructed and how the methods have changed due to the growth in demand of housing. After WW2 the demand for housing families grew so quickly that suburbs were created. The housing developments used methods used by the army to quickly construct living quarters. Prior to this similar change could be seen in the move from balloon framing to platform framing.

Week 4 Form

Create a series of sequential drawings that transform in a series from simple to complex. The object of these series of studies is to continue with methodical transformations until a composition evolves that is both visually interesting and dynamically unified.

What are the ways in which proportions explored through drawing can inform and enhance your design?Proportion can make something seem important or not important through difference in size. You can draw a person lips larger if you want to emphasize the mouth.

What principles and strategies do you employ to unify your forms into a beautiful whole?Start designing by looking at what the entire structures shape might be and then breaking it down into smaller parts. Proportioning each piece so that it is either noticed or not. Making sure each piece makes adds depth and keeps in the same tone as the structure as a whole.

What is the value of injecting harmonic, golden (nature’s ratio), or Fibonacci/Modular proportions into your design? These design theories are valuable because they are widely recognized as beautiful ways of proportioning.

WEEKLY QUESTIONS

What are the ways in which proportions explored through drawing can inform and enhance your design?

Proportion when moving from one space to another can dramatically affect the perception of a space. Using a smaller passage to go from one space to the next can leave you with the feeling of traveling from and opened space through a confined space transformation into another open structure. Its like traveling from the womb into the world.

How can drawing be used to identify, analyze, and develop an evolving tectonic language used in your design?

Drawing can be used to explain or diagram an organize the different ways of demonstrating tectonic language.

How can the quality of character of material used to construct expand and deepen the meaning of your design? How does materiality impact human experience?

The quality of material can deeply affect of the meaning of the design. Material can impact the human material through simulating multiple senses. Texture, color, and shape are all different ways a material can affect a human's interpretation of work.

What is the relationship between scale and proportions?

Scale refers to the size of an object (a whole) in relationship to another object (another whole). In art the size relationship between an object and the human body is significant. In experiencing the scale of an artwork we tend to compare its size to the size of our own bodies.Proportion refers to the relative size of parts of a whole (elements within an object). We often think of proportions in terms of size relationships within the human body.

Weeks 5 & 6: Shapes of Space

The reasoning behind this exercise was to model how different spaces are joined and broken up. These are a few demonstration of horizontal and vertical shapes and then the spaces they can make when combined. Combining this with a matrix that clearly defines each from and how many are found in the drawing is a great way to keep a drawing organized. This is very practical application and is very similar to breaking down the first ice breaker model and clearly defining its parts. Here we are not only clearly definging each part but also keeping track of how many are included. If we were actually going to build anything from these drawing you would then be able to take a list from the matrix and find an estimate on how much each part would cost and then how much the diagram would cost to make as a whole.

WEEKLY QUESTIONS

How do you shape space to stimulate the senses and evoke memories to create experiences?

Structures like schools are built similarly to evoke a sense of structure and stability.

Can space be so flexible that anything can happen there? How do you achieve this?

A great example of this would be a moving wall. You can pull a wall out and make one room into two rooms. I believe that you can design a space to house almost any activity although having it serve certain purposes rather than anything is probably a better idea.

Weeks 5 & 6: Shapes of Space

Exploring spaces are continued this week. We further explore organization of spaces and elements. As I understood the assignment we were suppose to show how space can be organization in a 3d model. I took that slightly more literal and demonstrated with shapes interpretations of centralized, radial, linear and grid organization technics.

WEEKLY QUESTIONS

How do you distinguish between design by nature and design by humans?

Design by nature would be something found naturally on or in the earth. Something designed by humans could mimic humans possess earthly compounds but it will always be manufactured to some degree.

What constitutes ornament? What part, if any, does ornament in architecture play in terms of meaning and expression?

I detailed object or styling that may or may not help with structural integrity. Helps provide an overall tone, much like molding on bookshelves or carvings on doors.

What constitutes ornament? What part, if any, does ornament in architecture play in terms of meaning and expression?

A detailed object or styling that may or may not help with structural integrity. Helps provide an overall tone, much like molding on bookshelves or carvings on doors.

How do you distinguish between design by nature and design by humans?

Design by nature would be something found naturally on or in the earth, like an ant hill. Something designed by humans could mimic nature and possess earthly compounds but it will always be manufactured to some degree.

The Eastgate Centre, largely made of concrete, has a ventilation system which operates in a similar way. Outside air that is drawn in is either warmed or cooled by the building mass depending on which is hotter, the building concrete or the air. It is then vented into the building’s floors and offices before exiting via chimneys at the top.

Using a high-tech or machine aesthetic, what is gained and lost in your design?

Connection to basic elements are lost. The smell of milled wood, the feeling of stone. Connecting your design to natural elements can be lost through synthetic processes. Although it can more practical and less expensive to use machined products there is a certain natural element lost when using processed materials.

Week 7 Nature

This has been my favorite week of modeling so far. Integrating forms with nature is something that I am extremely interested in. Mimicking nature and using designs naturally formed is something all architects should keep in mind when designing. My favorite example of this type of architecture is Wright’s work. My first iteration of this assignment of integrating the landscape with the site was not correct because I did not use a frame. At hom I rebuilt a simple fram on the lanscpae. The 2nd Iteration was a far greater success. I was able to clarly integrate a fram with a landscape although it was missing and entrance. At home I clearly defined an entrance space which is shown in the largest picture.

‘Design to resemble nature’ or ‘design with nature’, which do you prefer and why?

Its important to use both concept designing with nature is important because it can help make living less of a struggle. For example building a house in a hot climate in the shade of surrounding trees. Design to resemble nature is also important so that aesthetically you don’t ruin the surrounding landscape. By mimicking and designing with nature you can add to the landscape and customize your living surroundings.

How do structures, relationships, and process define organic architecture?

Organic Architecture is the practice of integrating a structure with its natural surroundings. Using the structure as an ornament to nature.

What is essential when our design responds to nature? Aside from these responses, what are other ways to respond to nature to enhance and deepen our design?

A harmony between the general shapes of the surrounding and the shapes of the structure. Through what type of materials we use, the way we place the structure in the site.

From a Deleuzian perspective, how can the notion of morphing be much more than just something trendy and cool? How can you apply morphogenetic principles to your design and why should you?

The simplest way to give a strong example of this is the SFMOMA. They make the entrances and exits to and from each exhibit a smaller space so that you get the feeling of transformation. Also having a front porch roof be lower than the ceiling of the room when you walk into a structure is another good example of how transformation can be felt.

THE ENDThis has been a very challenging semester. Definitely through err i have learned a lot. The most important concepts that were taught to me thus far are: Architecture as a language. Taking your design a step further and thinking about what are you trying to express through shape or texture. How to organize your design. Also how to organize your design process. It is important to keep a log of what shapes and other repetitive elements in order to understand what exactly you are using in your construction. The most important by far though is learning how to mimic and integrate your model with nature. Replicating the way certain creatures deal with things like climate can be beneficial to us and the planet. Designing with a specific site in mind and wanting to add to the landscape instead of distract from it can create a beautiful atmosphere anywhere.