ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO: EARTH S1, 2016 SUBJECT STUDENT BOOK

Elizabeth Wang761029

Heather Mitcheltree + Studio 13

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CONTENTS

1.0 THREE RELATIONSHIPS 1.1 Point/Line/Plane1.2 Mass1.3 Frame & Infill

2.0 HERRING ISLAND. SOMETHING LIKE A PAVILION 2.1 Site analysis and Conceptacle2.2 Concept2.3 Sketch design2.4 Design Development2.5 Final Design drawings2.6 Final Design Model

3.0 Reflection

4.0 Bibliography

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1.0 THREE RELATIONSHIPS

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1.1 POINT / LINE / PLANE

Inspired by this silkchair by Åsa Kärner, my model explores the transformation from point to line to plane. The strings of the chair are pulled taut in lines, each line combining to create the visual effect of planar surfaces. Creating planes out of lines also allows for planes to interconnect and twist into these curved surfaces, an idea I have transferred to my model. Using a mix of curved planes and straight lines, they weave together to create this transformtion of points to lines to planes. Silkchair by Åsa Kärner (Alvi Design)

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1.2 MASS

Exploring the transition between positive and negative space from light and dark and the carving out of mass to create these transitions, I wanted to represent the idea of carving out space within a mass such as shown in the photograph of the stairway of Aragon. Using grey lead to create this soft transition, my drawing works to invert the typical representation positive and negative space, further inspired by the technique of linocutting where positive space is cut out of the block before it is printed. Stairway of the King of Aragon, photographed by Allard Schager

New York City, Linocut by Elizabeth Wang

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1.3 FRAME & INFILL

Mondrian’s work contains the basic elements of frame and infill, using a bold black frame and infill of red, blue and yellow (white could be seen as the absence of infill). My model adopts this framework, focussing on the connections between this elements of frame; puncturing through, butting up or resting on top. I also began to interject elements of mass as a transition from this simple frame. As well as adding a heavier stability, these elements begin to represent this idea of transformation within a sequence of shapes.

Composition II in Red, Blue, and Yellow, 1930 by Piet Mondrian

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2.0 HERRING ISLAND SOMETHING LIKE A PAVILION

16PLAN 1:500

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2.1 SITE ANALYSIS AND CONCEPTACLE

Herring Island as a site presents many opportunities. Within the small island there are a range of different types of spaces from flat to steep and open to enclosed. My exploration of the concept of secrets called for a site that allowed me to work into the landscape in a way that reinforces the idea of enclosure and stability so to emphasize my exploration the limits and identification of inside and outside space. .

This is an idea that is represented within my conceptacle, the contrast and tension between the inner and outer, a relationship I would later play on and explore in reference to merging and blending.

EAST ELEVATION

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THE UNCONSCIOUS EXTERNALISATION OF INNER TRAUMA AND THE MERGING BETWEEN THE OUTER AND THE INNER

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Three Studies for the Portrait of Henrietta Moraes, Francis Bacon, 1963

National Theater and Opera House Tokyo, Bernard Tschumi, 1986

2.2 CONCEPT

Beginning with the idea of two opposing dualities created by secrets, the hard smooth exterior and the chaotic interior, I began to explore the complex relationship between the two, discovering that they are not two seperate entities but instead are two closely related concepts that merge and blend together. My design explores this transtion between these seemingly contrasting dualities and how they begin to play with one another in terms of space and shape.

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2.3 SKETCH DESIGN

My sketch design begins to translate this transition of space into a physical shape. I started to abstract the contours of the site and combine the three relationships together in order to create my design.

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THE DIVISION AND BALANCE OF SPACE

MERGING OF INNER AND OUTER

CUTTING INTO THE LANDSAPE

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2.4 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Taking advantage of the chosen site, I wanted to include three key concepts within my design, following on from my exploration of the three relationships. Firstly the division and balance of space and shape, creating both clear and unclear divisions between different spaces using the three systems of point, line plane, mass and frame and infill. Secondly, merging the division between outer and inner spaces through the blending of the architectural language which typically defines these contrasting spaces. Thirdly, cutting into the contour lines of the site in order to disrupt the outer ‘skin’ or existing landscape.

CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SYSTEMS

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26PLAN 1:100

SITE PLAN 1:1000

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2.5 FINAL DESIGN DRAWINGS

Set on the nothern tip of Herring Island, the design makes use of the shape of the landscape, cutting into these curves to create moments of openness and tightness. The use of glass and conrete also play with this relationship, blocking certain views and using lines of sight through and around these walls to create a range of different spaces and experiences.

SECTION 1: 100

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NORTH ELEVATION 1:200

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SOUTH ELEVATION 1:200

WEST ELEVATION 1:400EAST ELEVATION 1:400

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2.6 FINAL DESIGN MODEL

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3.0 REFLECTION

As my first architecture studio, this subject has thrown many challenges, really pushhing me to consider what is design and architecture both as pieces of art and as physical inhabitable space. However it has also been one of the most rewarding experiences during my university life so far. Architecture, I believe is often misconstrued and pushed aside flippantly by those who only see the finished product as buildings they use on a daily basis. However the hard work behind the scenes, the exploration of conceptual ideas and their translation into the physical world is something I hadn’t fully considered before undertaking this semester of my course, the start of my second year in the Bachelor of Environments. I’ve really begun to learn how to focuson both the meticulous details of a structure, how it relates to individual users and how actual people will use the space, as well as the overall large picture of how the design fits into the context of the surrounding site, environment and community.

I really enjoyed the first three conceptual explorations of systems and relationships, putting aside physical world constraints and focussing more on the artistic expression of ideas and then translating them into my finished design. What I will take away from the subject is the importance of this primary exploration as a basis for further design. It is important to fully explore this ideas and concepts before even attempting to create a physical design, thus completely ruling out any post rationalization and allowing for an overall more balanced and cohesive design. This also allows you to further push physical designs to conceptual and physical limits and thus create an overall more successful design.

In relation to my final design, I believe I could have further pushed it in the conceptual stage. The reason I wasn’t able to do this was partially due to time constraints and the quick turnover but more because of my lack of experience working on a project such as this. In hindsight I would have liked to try relating my concepts to a deeper frame of thought, explore more precedents and spend more time on the details of my design. However I am still proud of what I was able to achieve in this studio, delving deeper into model making skills, learning some basic photoshop techniques to create my first renders and more complex rhino modeling techniques, as well as the generation of ideas, conceptual exploration and presentation skills.

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4.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bacon, Francis 1963, Three Studies for the Portrait of Henriette Moraes, oil on canvas, MOMA, viewed 6 June 2016, <http://www.moma.org/collection/works/83362?locale=en>.

Kärner, Åsa. Eco-friendly Silkchair, furniture, decoist, viewed 30 May 2016, < http://www.decoist.com/2012-11-23/10-striking-string-chair-designs-from-inspired-designers/>.

Mondrian, Piet 1930. Composition II in Red,Blue and Yellow, painting, viewed 30 May 2016 ,< www.Piet-Mondrian.org>.

Schager, Allard. Stairway of the King of Aragon, photograph, This Is Colossal, viewed 30 May 2016, <http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/01/falling-upwards-a-vertigo-inducing-view-at-king-aragons-stairs-in-france/>.

Tschumi, Bernard 1986, National Theater and Opera House Tokyo, viewed 6 June 2016, < http://www.tschumi.com/projects/26/>.

Wang, Elizabeth 2016, New York City, Linocut.