ARCH 101- LAURIE MILLAN FALL 2013JERRY LUM

FINAL LEARNING PORTFOLIO

INITIAL DESIGN EXPLORATION

DESIGN EXPLORATION

DESIGN EXPLORATION-STAIRS

DESIGN EXPLORATION

INITIAL DESIGN EXPLORATION• My initial design iterations explored

the concepts of angulation in which patterns to the surfaces were created from the space and light that peered through the cracks.

• I also initially wanted to explore using more using reflective surfaces. The concept was to extend my design beyond the physical boundaries. I wanted my design to extend beyond and communicate to those in the far hillside.

• Like Oksana, I wanted my work to create an experience for people walking through. Creating a labyrinth is the best way to describe the sensation of wonder and mystery I had hoped to evoke in my design.

INITIAL DESIGN EXPLORATION CONT.Narrative:Design is not only experienced with the eyes, we explore our works of art using our senses.

We communicate with our environment. Architecture has the power to understand our selves better. This iteration was about creating a space which developed the conversation between ourselves and our surroundings.

My vision was to create a dialogue between not only ourselves but our lives and all the problems we face beyond. I created seating on the exterior frame to frame the view of hillside. I wanted to be able to those indirectly in our sight of vision. The mirrors I selected were intended to cast intense light to the homes on the hillside directly across the way and instill curiosity and wonder and ultimately invite them into our conversation as well.

Patterns created by the overlapping surfaces filter light from the exterior and disconnect us but still gives us a distorted visual of the hillside or what is supposed to represent reminisces of life and all the challenges we face in it.

DESIGN COLLABORATION• In my initial design stage

I also explored stairs and tried designing stairs that could play from the slope of the hillside. My other group member had also played with this concept in his own design process

• Finally we were all intrigued by simplicity but functionality in our final group member’s design. She had developed and was able to clearly translate the workings of a pivoting door.

• Picture of stair iteration

DESIGN COLLABORATION

Since both I and my teammate had visions of creating a design the would create a journey for people we decided that collaborating and developing this concept of Labyrinth would help us accomplish both our visions.

DESIGN COLLABORATION CONTINUED

• We decided as a team that would be especially intriguing if we could incorporate the rotating door into our labyrinth. The idea of rotating doors would promote interaction with the design itself and it would create spaces within space. One could potentially reframe a space in several different ways.

DESIGN STUDY MODEL

STAIR EXPLORATION- FUNCTIONALITY

While we initially decided to try and incorporate stairs into our design there were construction challenges we would have to address first.With a strict time frame, we had to prioritize. Therefore we l decided to include stairs into our construction schedule but also be open to eliminating if necessary.Unfortunately, we were unable to incorporate stairs but to accomplish the entry, we simply cleared mulch to create a path

DESIGN COLLABORATION 3The initial design of the pavilion was a box. We made the decision as a team to frame a pentagon instead because we felt that it balanced the space better. The rough cut of the corners of a square did not quite fit with the floor plan. It seemed to contradict the flow of the land rather than follow it.

DESIGN COLLABORATION 4- STUDY MODELS

• We finally put all our ideas to put together a cohesive design

SITE EVALUATION• I choose the hillside in my initial design exploration

because of the amount of sun that the space receives in early parts of the day, the scenic views from that location and I wanted to explore the challenge of working on a hillside. In our initial step we tracked wind and light patterns and topography.

SITE EVALUATION 2• As a group, we reconvened and selected the site for our design based on: • Topography: The first was the topography of the hillside. While it was more of a

challenge to build on an uneven surface, we found the varying slopes and heights worked in our favor to framing the scenic views at different perspectives within the labyrinth.

• Light and Shadow: The second unplanned vantage was the light and shadow created from the 3 trees that surround the labyrinth.

• Tough Ground: Having dirt on the hillside allowed for us to bury the post of the labyrinth deep within the ground. It was difficult to achieve this considering the heavy amount of rocks and stiffness of the soil that made it difficult to excavate. Tools such as Picks and hoes were extremely helpful in removing the dirt.

• Framed Views: Finally the famed views were also key to our site location. There were 2 views we chose to frame. The first was overlooking the residential hillside; the second was the serene simplicity of the greenery that grew on the other side of the hill. We highlighted these locations by varying the heights directions of the screens. We wanted people to only see those view so we carefully placed and created the heights of these screens to achieve this. We also cut a window in the screen in the pentagon to frame the greenery behind the hillside.

SITE EVALUATION• We selected and laid out the locations of our frames and

pavilion that would create the best experience for audience. • We created a window in the pavilion that exposed garden

behind the hillside. • The frames were set at different heights and locations to frame

only the residential hillside in the excelsior community.

DESIGN CHALLENGES• Building on uneven ground was especially a challenge when it came to building the pavilion. • We all did a bit of research on different methods of leveling. I personally read and proposed

2 different methods. The first I found was a string method, the other was to use a water device since water naturally finds its level.

• The most promising and simple method was proposed by our teammate. She proposed that we use concrete pavers, level those and build our structure on that this way we didn’t have to make he entire surface level.

DESIGN CHALLENGE

• Digging was a challenge for us. The ground was extremely firm and there were rocks, roots and drain lines that prevented us from digging deep enough in particular area. For the most part, we tried digging at least 1ft deep holes.

DESIGN CHALLENGE 2

• Engineering Pivoting Systems that was inexpensive and simple enough to achieve was perhaps our most difficult challenge.

• We had developed sever possibilities. The first inspired by a lazy suzan, the second was to purchase bearings, the other was to somehow insert a smaller pole in a larger one that head enough room to rotate.

DESIGN CHALLENGE

• The pivoting system was not as successful for the freestanding frames so we build a box around a cement paver to additional stability.

DESIGN CHALLENGE 3• The final method was simple. It was fairly inexpensive and

used system of nuts and bolts to which kept the door intact but also allowed it enough clearance to spin.

• The more challenging pivoting system were the small frames because they were free standing and had no support up top like the pavilion door did. Our entrance door became too top heavy and fell over with the wind at night.

DESIGN CHALLENGES 4• Since we framed a

pentagon. Many of the angles of the cuts that we needed exceeded the limit of the chop saw. Therefore, we created a jig that would safely allow us to set our wood in the right position to cut our 72 degree angles.

• As a result we were able to create an extremely beautiful and intricate floor plan.

MATERIAL SELECTION• It was important to our team to

select materials that had an organic feeling to them.

• Our pavilion required a lot of wood. We used mostly 2x4 to construct the frame of the pavilion. Durability was important to our team. However the expenses for the amount of wood needed to create our pavilion did not allow us to purchase the same rigid wood for the frames. The frames of our screens were extremely light and frail. Unfortunately, this made it difficult to retain the screen walls and we were forced to include additional supports where needed to prevent them from falling over from the wind.

MATERIALS CONTINUED• We needed the material for

our screens to allow the wind to penetrate through them and also create the aesthetic we needed to maintain the language of our design. Calissa has modeled her design with burlap. We decided to investigate further and found that burlap comes in many shades, densities and price variations. We added an additional material which we found online called Ceisal mesh. This gave us the transparency we needed and were looking to incorporate.

MATERIAL SELECTION CONTINUED 3

• We wanted some frames to expose views while other served as sort of a preview to intrigue the individual and strike curiosity. We also wanted our labyrinth to have dimension. Therefore we selected two shades of burlap. One shade was a dark natural tone while the other was dyed white.

• The final selection, ceisal mesh, had an amazing beautiful natural and delicate quality to it and was extremely transparent. These materials helped us to highlight and hide different sections which we wanted our viewers to see.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT• Narrative: Self reflection and

healing is an extremely important part of healing. We are often wrapped up in our own lives that we scarcely take a moment to appreciate the beauty around us.

• It is about taking a moment to distance yourself from the busy world and interacting with only yourself and the elements around you. Its about seeking refuge within yourself and knowing that you have the choice to choose your path.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT- LABYRINTH PANELS

• Labyrinths often mystify us because it removes us from the world and confines the individual with just their thought and the elements around them. Our design was inspired from the complex passages and intricate situations often created in labyrinths.

• We wanted those experiencing our design to interact and allow for the space that we framed to initiate a discussion between the elements and the individual.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT- CONT.• We altered the simplification of a labyrinth

by adding elements that allow people to interact with the structure such as swinging doors. This permits those walking through to redefine the space and experience it from and at all angles. Nevertheless, the intention was to still detach the viewer from the outside world and redefine a space and emphasize the beauty of a space often simply passed without regard.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT- CREATING THE SCREENS

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT- PENTAGON PAVILLION

• The core of our design is a pentagon structure provides a sense of release from the complexities of passages interwoven on the slopes of the hillside. These are locations for accidental encounters and discussion among other people whereas the core is serene and provides a space for meditation and self-reflection.

DESIGN DEV.- PAVILION CONT.

• The structure itself was carefully laid out. In order to produce a location for serenity and self-reflection our measurements had to be precise. This room served somewhat like the gem at the end of a long journey. It gives the journey a purpose.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT- CREATING THE PAVILION

FINAL PRESENTATION

• While we had little time to prepare for our presentation, it helped that we all had a good understanding of our design objectives. Everyone spoke to their strengths and weaknesses which is what I feel made our presentation strong.

PRESENTATION

FINAL DESIGN OBSERVATIONS

• In our design process, we had not intended to initially incorporate however this became an essential part of our design as the braches of the three trees hung over they cast beautiful shadows against the simple and delicate burlap screens.

FINAL DESIGN OBSERVATIONS

• The shadows that project on the delicate burlap frames became integrated parts of the design. Shadows which we would not see if there were no vertical screens for the shadows to be cast on.