Midterm Learning Por0olio Pilar Alicea Architectural Design Studio 101 Spring 2013 Instructor: Lum March, 2013
Mar 31, 2016
Mid-‐term Learning Por0olio Pilar Alicea
Architectural Design Studio 101 Spring 2013 Instructor: Lum
March, 2013
Table of Contents…
Icebreaker Kit of Parts NarraGve Form, Scale, ProporGons, Beauty Framed and Surface Expressions CorrelaGng SpaGal QualiGes and Experiences Journey of Events Truth, Nature, Frames and Surfaces ReflecGons, Breakthroughs, Challenges Conclusion
Icebreaker “from words to form as an abstract personificaGon of you!”
Pilar… Courageously Adventurous, Dynamically ExploraGve, CreaGvely AdapGve
My model took on forms that express dynamic movement and asymmetry. I’d like to think of myself as adventurous and creaGve. A conGnuous circular shape stands as a representaGon of never ending movement and exploraGon. The series of repeaGng triangular shapes allowed for more flexibility and a sense of asymmetry, which also reflects major qualiGes of my personality. I am constantly in movement, never staGc, find value in revisiGng experiences, and learn most from life’s ups and downs.
Kit of Parts
Exploring design principles; Balance, Rhythm and Unity
a) DeconstrucGon of Icebreaker into its consGtuent design elements b) Re-‐construcGon to be_er communicate hierarchical pa_erns and expressive intenGons
NarraGve
“Take some Gme Just hang around awhile Like to sit this silent moment out I don't want to lose or let you down Time's just gonna change itself around” –Lyrics by Zero 7 “In Time”
This space conjures up familiar, welcoming feelings while evoking wonder and curiosity. Long curvilinear pathways await paGently tucked inside the mass structure soon to be unraveled and tangled again like veins inside the body. Outside the structure, tall womblike walls stand balanced together inviGng any passerby to contemplate the juxtaposiGon of overwhelming mass and inviGng contour. The curvilinear walls suggest that there’s something more to be experienced inside. This space is experienced differently depending on Gme of day and mood. This structure offers itself as a place for calm reflecGon and as a visual compliment to its surrounding environment.
Form, Scale, Proportion, and Beauty - Series of scale and proportional transformations alter the size and dimensional relationship of design elements
-‐ Fibonacci series forms the base of structures -‐Golden secGon extrudes in verGcal formaGons
Form
Scale, ProporGon, and Beauty
By using basic SketchUp tools, I formed a structure using a combinaGon of Fibonacci series as a base and Golden SecGoning in verGcally stacking blocks.
This exercise helped us understand the relaGonship between scale and proporGon and how to uGlize different tools to express ideas of beauty.
Space within a Space
Interlocking Space
Adjacent Spaces
Space linked by a common
Space Base Plane 1 2 3 4 Elevated Plane
5 6 7 8
Depressed Plane
9 10 11 12
Overhead Plane
13 14 15 16
Framed Expressions, Surface Expressions, Structure
Diving deeper in understanding architecture in relaGon to the human experience… Taking from the previous exercise’s discoveries in understand different elements of form, we created a matrix to generate spaGal composiGons.
This matrix demonstrates only a handful of possibiliGes once spaGal composiGons are combined and manipulated.
NarraGve(of kit o p) – Developing Language How does the narraGve inform our design process and soluGons? *Maya Lin RepresentaGon in design + Sketchup
Framed Expressions, Surface Expressions, Structure (cont.)
-‐On the ler, more possibiliGes and soluGons are explored with the combinaGon of using circular planes at various elevaGons
-‐An hand drawn interpretaGon of repeaGng verGcal U-‐shaped planes.
Space – ExperienGal and SequenGal Matrix of shapes of space *Barina Matrix of spaGal experiences *In Notebook!!! From B.
Space within a space Interlocking Space Adjacent Space Base Plane Elevated Plane DepressedPlane Overhead Plane
CorrelaGng SpaGal QualiGes and Experiences
The following sequence of designs correlate surfaced expressions along with framed expressions.
-‐ I found the topic of Framed and Surfaces Expressions to be one of the most useful in creaGng a good understanding of basic process to achieving various architectural designs.
-‐One of the challenges I found thus far is learning to appreciate SketchUp as a means of communicaGon. I’m learning that Architecture not only requires a disGnct tectonic language, but it also relies heavily on computer programming as well. Being proficient in SketchUp allows for clearer communicaGon of ideas and immediate design feedback.
Truth Tectonic Journey of 3 Diverse Spatial Experiences
welcoming, monumensadal, tranquil (3 diverse spaces) ** include sketch and model here Welcoming and comfortable Awesome and monumental InGmate and tranquil
Journey of Events and SpaGal Experiences
The objecGve of this exercise was to create spaGal experiences that encapsulates three sub-‐spaces; welcoming, monumental, and inGmate.
In order to create a piece that could meet the criteria while balancing a fluid transiGon through each space, I looked to the human body in movement. The dances by the Nederlands Dans Theater captured transiGons and connecGons while exhibiGng amazing levels of beauty and emoGon.
Truth, Nature, Frames and Surfaces
Inspired by Calatrava’s Spire building in Chicago, and Thom Mayne of Morphosis in San Francisco, I chose to take a slightly different approach to my site model. I imaged my structure nestled safely between two tall buildings in a dense, urban environment. I a_empted to use organic shapes in order to give life and feelings of serenity and tranquility for those caught in the crowded concrete jungle of downtown.
This structure presents itself as a relief, both mental and physical, from the tense urban spaces we are challenged with on a daily basis.
ReflecGons, Breakthroughs, Challenges and Takeaways…
The first half of the semester introduced a number of new concepts and ideas all relaGng to basic (and advanced) architecture.
Looking back on the past few weeks, I’ve come to appreciate the various exercises assigned to help develop my understanding and usage of tectonic language. I’m learning how to analyze and communicate my own design process visually, orally and physically.
Major challenges arose in the beginning weeks when projects were assigned using SketchUp. I found that I lacked the computer skills to express my ideas clearly using this program. Unfortunately, instead of addressing the issue, I shied away from the work and allowed procrasGnaGon to get the best of me.
Conclusion
The first half of the semester was a friendly reminder that you get out what you put in. I can’t avoid the fact that Gme management issues have posed unnecessary obstacles in my academic life and the quality (and quanGty) of my work has suffered from this. Moving forward, I plan on establishing a more effecGve way of learning the material and submiung projects in a Gmely manner.
I look forward to implemenGng the techniques learned in class thus far and taking on new challenges awaiGng in the collaboraGve group project!