Core Design Portfolio

gerardo diazfall 2008igor marjanovic. studio 111washington university in st. louis

topography

This first studio assign-ment develops under-standing of line weights through careful compo-sition of sets of ten par-allel lines using different types of leads. Percep-tion of line weights in this composition relies not only on darkness of lines but also proximity.

beginnings

photographic pattern

These photographs were taken on a trip to Wellston Loop in St. Louis County, a once afluent neighborhood which is now an area of urban decay. The set of photographs attempt to capture the space while at the same time progressively increasing in scale. The final photograph’s scale abstracts the subject to a pattern

trace on vellum

This drawing is a transla-tion of the final photograph, a piece of corrugated card-board. Only straight lines running entirely along the page are used. Line weights are used to convey the pat-terns of the photograph. The drawing focuses not only on the horizontal nature of the cardboard but also on the vertical elements of the folds in the cardboard and the shadows cast by irregu-larities in the cardboard.

3d reliefText HereThis basswood model is a translation of an 8.5” x 11” portion of the trace on vellum. Emphasis is placed on representing the relationship between the horizontal and diagonal lines in the trace in a subtle manner by implying the diagonal lines that run across the model and implicitly representing the horizontal lines, creating a language of hierarchy in the model.

The trace on velum was traced on vellum with ink and collaged with photo-graphs of the basswood model to emphasize the relationship between the two translations.

ink on mylar

surface

portable topography

This model is a translation of the ink on vellum drawing made of 1”x2” pieces of lumber with the goal of creating a surface. Glue, nails, screws, or any other kind of fasteners were allowed. Emphasis was once again placed on the relationship of horizontal and vertical lines, this time to create a fluid, dynamic surface. Is-sues of structure and limitations of the lumber were a large consideration of this project.

back to the beginning

We returned to the Wellston Loop, the origin of our work, and created an installation with the entire studio’s work. Our role as architects is underlined, as we return to enhance a space in urban decay.

volume

We worked in teams of two in this proj-ect to build a volume using modules based on an ink drawing. The volume defines an 18”x24”x18” space using pyramid like mod-ules whose bases form a surface and whose ends converge creating delicate spaces.

wire volume

context

(re)constructing wellston

We visited the Wellston Loop again, this time to survey a vacant loop on Martin Luther King Drive. The lot was divided into several plots each plot was surveyed by groups of three. We documented found objects that would help us construct a narrative of the site.

plaster casting

We each chose one item to cast in plaster and cut into section

nylon belt

charette

In an in-stidio charette, we explored the forms in the sections of the plaster cuts to create a small inhabitable space (100 ft) to be placed within our site. The proposed building is a temporary structure built from plywood and 2”x4” studs. The building’s purpose is to display the found object from the site and serve as a contemplation space.

basswood model

The final model focuses on the relationship of two volumes, making the structure appear to “float” over the topography. The limited foor space and seating invites visitors to sit as they view the objects creating an intimate setting Ultimately, it is a space that inspires thought, conversation, and relaxation.