S i z h e W a n g

School of Architecture | Syracuse University | ARC 107 | Fall Semester 2014 | Prof. J. Godlewski

PONCHOIn German the word for dress (Gewand) includes the word for wall (Wand), hinting at the close relationship between the cover of the human body through a dress and the enclosure of a building. In this way a dress can be seen as both cloth or potential architectural object.In this first assignment you will design and fabricate a ‘poncho’. Derived from South American traditions, a poncho is a blanket-like cloak having a hole in the center for the head. You fabricate this poncho out of a series of materials that are unconventional for the production of a typical fabric. The poncho you design should no longer be seen as clothing, but also as a volume or form independent from its function. The poncho will be shown in a public fashion show! Prior to the show, you will study the poncho’s quality as scaleless object/artifact through a series of drawings.

POCHEPoche is a term used in Architecture to describe the space occupied by the wall between two spaces.Using the work done so far, you will investigate the potential of poche to negotiate an exterior versus an interior condition. Meanwhile the exterior condition is given, the interior will be formed by the translation of a ‘dynamic’ reading of the movement of the poncho into a spatial operation.The goal is to generate a spatial sequence that has a clear legible and formal language that is generated by the rigorous application of the studied operation and is further expressed through texture/graphics. The work will be presented through a series of figure-ground drawings, perspectives and mass-void models

with Le Yang with Le Yang

MOVIN ON UPThrough the use of structure, as both technical necessity and organizational tool, the mass-void study of the Assignment1B is transformed into a small circulation tower. A stair as well as a small program serves to introduce the notion of scale and use. The structure is derived from a study of the structural qualities of the original poncho from Assignment 1A. The program is an extension of the stair’s capacity as a circulation device to make ‘ascent/decent’ a spatial experience that allows for different actions or interactions such as resting, communicating, storing, exhibiting. The stair serves both as an element to introduce the human scale as well as a driver for structural decisions. In addition, you should consider how the tower is accessed and exited through the ‘skin’ of the facade.

with Le Yang

CASE STUDY: PAPER HOUSEThis assignment is formed by a series of case/precedent studies that will introduce both the analytical study of architecture as well as the idea of architecture as a historical context that requires an in depth (close) reading to understand its formal, spatial and structural composition.Ultimately the goal is to learn how to read an architectural project through the lens of different aspects such as structure, program, circulation, proportion etc. and how the findings of these readings can be best represented through the use of diagrams.

MONTAGEReferencing Rem Koolhaas’ essay ‘Miestakes’ you will design an intervention in Mies van der Rohe’s Crown Hall at IIT. The starting point of your design is the stair tower of assignment 1C that will be used to create a vertical circulation that goes from the basement to the rooftop.In addition the staircase should also serve in part as a seminar room with theater-seating for about 40 students and offer a space for a coffee bar with seating for 20 students. The intervention should also provide a storage space for the coffee bar as well as for general student storage.Surface as architectural element is introduced to negotiate between the existing spaces and structure as well as the stair and newly added program. It is paramount that your intervention takes a clear stands towards Mies van der Rohe’s project and building.

with Carolina Barrick and Sabrina Logrono

WORKLIVEReferencing Rem Koolhaas’ essay ‘Miestakes’ you will design an intervention in Mies van der Rohe’s Crown Hall at IIT. The starting point of your design is the stair tower of assignment 1C that will be used to create a vertical circulation that goes from the basement to the rooftop.In addition the staircase should also serve in part as a seminar room with theater-seating for about 40 students and offer a space for a coffee bar with seating for 20 students. The intervention should also provide a storage space for the coffee bar as well as for general student storage.Surface as architectural element is introduced to negotiate between the existing spaces and structure as well as the stair and newly added program. It is paramount that your intervention takes a clear stands towards Mies van der Rohe’s project and building.

SizheWang

School of Architecture | Syracuse University | swang81@syr.edu | 401 van buren street 13210 syracuse ny