Learning Journal

stephanie adamoujournalcardiff university wsa2

learning

contents

1. measure

2. sustainable housing

3. urban conditions

4. figure/ground

5. vertical studio

6. barcelona study trip

7. sawsa competition

8. sawsa posters

18283660636566

1. MEASUREThe project was set over the summer period and was aimed at analysing the qualities of what makes a space feel like a dwelling. The task was to choose a space that holds a special meaning for us and analyse it through accurate physical measurements (objective measurements), followed by measurements of the experiential qualities (subjective measurements). Then the space would be analysed according to some of Herman Herzberger’s key themes, along with an environmental analysis. The final output would be an A1 key image drawn in pencil, that best communicates the ideas explored above. AA SECTION

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The space i chose to study for this project is the porch outside my home kitchen. A space where i enjoy drinking a cup of coffee in the morning, a space that allows me to relax and contemplate. The scale of the porch pays an important factor in its experience, which is why ive chosen to analyse ‘scale’ subjectively. Inspired by the quote above from Pallasma’s ‘Eyes of the Skin’ , i analysed the scale of the space in terms of the scale of my own body, through sketches like the one shown on the left. In the following two pages lies an image of my subjective analysis, where i painted with my body a composition of a 1:1 plan and section of the porch. This exercise allowed me to understand the proportions of the space and how they relate to the scale of my body.

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SUBJECTIVEMEASUREMENTS

objectiveMEASUREMENTS

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plan 1:40

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aa section 1:40 bb section 1:40

finaldrawing

The final A1 drawing (shown on the left at scale 1:5) portrayed a 1:1 sectional elevation of the porch. The column pictured is the place i get drawn to subconsciously when approaching the step. Pinned up at floor level, the aim was for the viewer to experience the scale, which shapes the character of the space.

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2. sustainable

The project focused around the design of a sustainable housing project in the area of Grangetown, Cardiff. The driving idea for the scheme was the concept of growing food on site. This was to be achieved on two levels; through allotments on site and the use of private gardens available to every dwelling. To achieve the form of the building, a constant unit of 5m x 5m was repeated and arranged in different ways to accomodate for the different types of dwellers. Through recesses and extrusions, opportunites for private gardens were created. The scheme consists of a total of 15 dwellings, with a mixture of 4,3,2 and single bedroom houses and several live/work units.

housing

INITIAL MODELS

masterplan

masterplan

SUSTAINABLEHOUSING = SUSTAINABLELIVING

storagehorizontal circulationgreenhouse

vertical circulation

bands

service band

allotment bands service bands

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site section

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elevation

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dwellingDESIGN

SUSTAINABLEHOUSING = SUSTAINABLELIVING

dwelling

The design of this two-bedroom flat evolved from the concepts guiding the design of the masterplan. It consists of a harvest core unit, with the flat forming an L-shape around it, allowing links between the garden and everyday activities. The use of the 5x5 unit is carried through and emphasised by pulling forward the front unit to let light though the top.

DESIGN

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plan 1:250

A A

B B

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plan 1:250

aa section 1:250

bb section 1:250

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interiorstudies

interiorstudiesinteriorstudies

exteriorstudies

exteriorperspective

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technicaldetail 1:40

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3. urban

Urban Conditions was a site analysis project, focusing on different aspects of the town of Pontypridd, Wales. Such aspects include its Economy, Demographics, History etc. Our group focused on Regional Urban Planning, so we looked at regeneration plans concerning the wider region of Rhondda Cynon Taf and how they relate to Pontypridd. We researched at a regional scale habits and trends concerning society, economics and the environment, aspects that could be taken into account when designing for Pontypridd.

conditions

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societaldata

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environmentaldata

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economicdata

Principal Towns

Strategic Sites

Key Settlements

Pontypridd

Cardi�

Brecon Beacons

North

South

M4

page 3

local development plan map analysis

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page 34

Pontypridd

Treforest

Church Village

Llantwit Fardre

Beddau

8 Mins Car

60 Mins Walk

10 Mins Car

70 Mins Walk SmallerSettlements

Pontypridd

?

PONTYPRIDD PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL EXPANSION SITES

Retail

Mwyndy

Pontypridd

7 Mwyndy /Talbot Green AreaDwellings (500)Employment (32 hectares)Retail (23,200m2)Leisure (10,000m2)

Countryside Residential Employment

case study mwyndy/talbot green

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c

c

p

p

TRANSPORT STRATEGIESpONTYPRIDD-cARDIFF

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4. FIGURE

As part of the urban regeneration of Pontypridd, the project is centrered on the design of an art centre on the crossing of the rivers Taff and Rhondda. The art gallery is available to everyone and includes spaces for both temporary and permanent exhibitions, as well as conference spaces and rooms for practicing and recording music. The gallery provides spaces for various types of art, since it provides rooms with different light qualities and scale. The design consists of a lighter elevating volume intersecting a solid concrete volume at the back of the site. The elevated volume provides an opening and a level of transparency between Taff street and the river.

/GROUND

final crit pinup

SUSHI MODELSTRANSPARENCY TAFF STREET-RIVER

STUDY OF THE STREET BLOCKAGE OF VIEWS ALONG THE RIVER

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STUDY OF THE STREET BLOCKAGE OF VIEWS ALONG THE RIVER

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STREET-RIVER frontage

access routes

sunlight exposure

sunpath diagram

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sunlight exposure

sunpath diagram

routes

rivers

surroundingbuildings

green spaces

routesroutesroutesroutes

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exteriorperspective

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sitesection

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cornell architecture schoolprecedent study

sketch model

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formdiagrams

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ground floor plan 1:400

N

first floor plan 1:400

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second floor plan 1:200

N

second floor plan 1:400

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third floor plan 1:200

N

third floor plan 1:400

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section 1:200

detailsection

WALL const ruct ion :250mm concrete

waterproof membrane120mm r ig id insu lat ion

10mm p lasterboard FLOOR construct ion :t imber f loorboards

t imber battenswaterproof membrane120mm r ig id insu lat ion

250-260 concrete

ROOF construct ion :aspha l t

waterproof membraner ig id insu lat iont imber battensvapour bar r ie r

perforated beamplasterboard

st ructura l I -beams

CONNECTION:stee l st ructure s lotted into the concrete st ructure .stee l st ructure rests on and bo l ted onto the concrete

glass

t russ

POINTS OF SUPPORT OF THE ELEVATED STEEL STRUCTURE

ROTATED VIEW

Stee l I beams and stee l t russes a re the support ing members of the e levated vo lume . Stee l was chosen as a l ight-weight mater ia l to contrast the heav ie r concrete st ructure . The two contrast ing vo lumes intersect , w ith the stee l one rest ing and be ing sup-ported onto the concrete st ructure .

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interior study entrance

3ds max modelinterior gallery space

daylightanalysis

The overall atmospheric intention for the visitor would be able to experience a daylit space, without an overwhelming level of brightness in the room. The depth of the room will allow light to reflect and diffuse within it. The choice of materials allows the galleries to appear domestic within a bigger, colder volume. The light timber choice of flooring gives the room its warm and light character, whereas the exposed concrete ceiling connects it back to the wider concrete structure.

N

ROOM UNDER ANALYSIS

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09:00 1ST MARCH

12:00 1ST MARCH

16:00 1ST MARCH

09:00 1ST JUNE

12:00 1ST JUNE

16:00 1ST JUNE

09:00 1ST DECEMBER

12:00 1ST DECEMBER

15:00 1ST DECEMBER

physicalmodel

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page 4

5. vertical

Being part of “The Waiting Room” studio, i had to select a scenario of waiting and translate the experience into a waiting room space. I chose to articulate the feelings and concept in the act of waiting to arrive when travelling - stilness, frustration and inertia and translate it into a spatial form through a narrative. The process involved modelling, in order to generate the scene in a similar way to stage design. Through the use of photography and collage we tried to convey the atmosphere and emotion.

STUDIO

The traveler awaits upon his arrival, in a situation where the passage of time is all that is substantial. In an event where the stillness of time contradicts the motion of travel, where in the end, the stillness is all that remains. Stillness floats within time and motion and one ends up suspended in time. The experience of his stillness clashes the reality of being in motion during travel. His tranquility suddenly becomes unsettling; his ground turns to sand; he sinks. The traveler drowns in his inertia. He reaches for his suitcase in vain, whilst the letter he has to deliver remains buried in the sand. He cannot fast forward. The song is there to remind him of that. He can no longer do nothing, but wait.

NARRATIVE

model progress

The model is divided into two worlds; that of suspension in time and that of inertia. I chose objects to portray the frustration experienced whilst travelling; chairs are suspended even though they are objects expected to be on the ground and things which are meaningless when they’re not moving, such as a letter and a suitcase that are now stuck in the sand.

6. barcelonaSTUDy trip

rcr library, barcelona

influentialphotographs

7. sawsacompetitionThe competition asked for the design of an architectural intervention in the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. The poster shown on the left is the one i submitted for the competition and portrays the design of an exhibition hub in the museum’s lobby area. The form is inspired by the Cardiff docks.

8. sawsaposters

During this academic year, i was an operative of SAWSA, the student association of WSA. Part of the propaganda team, i was in charge of designing the lecture posters organised throughout the year.

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stephanie adamou 2010-2011