Icebreaker: A Sculptural Autobiography

Rational: Design language, design process, sectional approach, learning.

Areas of Inquiry:Opening the can of worms Representation Language Form Space Truth Nature

What does the icebreaker in this part of the work represent to

me ?

Icebreaker expresses the human spirit truth material representations

From iteration # 1: The representation was meant to express a correlation between parallel and perpendicular as personal experiences during the last few years

Objectives: Transparency, symmetry, balance

Tools : Parallel, perpendicular and horizontal activity

Material : Acrylic glass, glue gun, acrylic paint, glass cutter, scissors

Language : Rectangle planes

Inspiration: Cultural interaction

From Critique:

The iteration tends to be too literal

Doesn’t show a specific abstract representation

The proposal should be easy to see from different perspectives (3D)

Base is not needed

From iteration # 2: The proposal for this exercise follows the recommendations of my peers and professor. There is no more base; the parallel and perpendicular entity still marks their presence

Objectives : Nature, transparency, balance

Tools : Transparent planes parallel to each other

Material : Acrylic glass, glue gun, acrylic paint, glass cutter, scissors

Language : Squares, cube

Inspiration: Nature evolution and deconstructivism

From Critique:

Keeping the parallel and perpendicular entity was a plus

Analyze opaque vs. transparency

Became 3D and got rid of the base

Nonetheless the proposal seems to be arbitrary and there isn’t any abstraction

Changing the material is highly recommended

From iteration # 3: I passed truth and transition where I promptly needed to realize what I was looking for, and what I thought I was finding. The poor architectural vocabulary was digging me into a hole where I couldn’t express what I really wanted to in class. This made me feel angry and frustrated

Objectives : Anger, perpendicularity, harmony

Tools : Sharp openings, “L” shape forms, light

Material : Cardboard, glue, balsa wood

Language : L Shape

Inspiration: Frustration

From Critique:

The “L” allows to used as cantilevered

There is a shy approach to represent the abstraction

Base is negative in the sense of not allowing visual integrity (360* view)

Sharp openings are not necessary since the edges are sharp as well

Changing the material is highly recommended

From iteration # 4 , “The process showed an improvement there is an intend of demonstrate the hierarchy between volumes at the same time there is a conversation between them”

Objectives : Adventure, risk taker , dynamic.

Tools : Cantilever, straight and sharp openings, transparent spaces.

Material : Styrofoam, cardboard, glue gun, balsa wood, cutter, scissor.

Language : L Shape .

Inspiration: I replace my anger by becoming a risk taker.

From Critique:

The conversation between volumes is more clear.

There is a powerful transition in hierarchy between volumes.

The base is invisible but still limit the possibility of extension in the volume.

Analyze a curvilinear proposal.

Cantilever clearly express a risk position.

From iteration # 5: The change of material was successful. The iteration shows more abstraction and is improving. Nevertheless, there is still a presence of a base which keeps limiting the model and its matter of volume

Objectives : Adventure, risk taker, dynamic

Tools : Cantilever, straight and sharp openings, transparent spaces

Material : Styrofoam, cardboard, glue gun, balsa wood, X-Acto knife, scissors

Language : L Shape

Inspiration: I replaced my anger by becoming a risk taker

From Critique:

The conversation between volumes is more clear

There is a powerful transition in hierarchy between the volumes

The base is invisible but still limits the possibility of extension in the volume

Analyze a curvilinear proposal

Cantilever clearly expresses a risk taking position

From iteration # 6: We perceive the inclination of volumes, but they are still perpendicular to each other. I got rid of the base

Objectives : Adventure, risk taker , dynamic

Tools : Cantilever, inclination, perpendicularity

Material : Styrofoam, glue gun, balsa wood, X-Acto knife, scissors

Language : L Shape

Inspiration: Risk taker

From Critique:

The adventure/risk side is turning obvious

There should be a studio of the relationship between vertical, horizontal and curvilinear in order to improve the dynamic of the iteration

At the same time there is an axis that marks a relationship between volumes

From iteration # 7: Shows a different dynamic compared to past proposals. Although, from an auto critique, the iteration seems to be incomplete in the sense that it’s missing an extension where the project would be more interesting

Objectives : Adventure, risk taker, dynamic

Tools : Fibonacci, cantilever

Material : Balsa wood, glue gun, X-Acto knife, scissors

Language : Oblique volumes (L Shape), Fibonacci spiral,

Inspiration: Dynamic

From Critique:

There is a good analysis between the axis of volumes

Follows Fibonacci

Some objects seemed to have an arbitrary presence

Study the continuity between volumes

Seems to have a base again

Choose materials of different thickness, color, texture, etc. to define hierarchy

From iteration #8: The work has been intense. The analysis to find the rhythm, dynamic, harmony, 3D vision, etc. is coming along. The result is starting to convince me, but I know there is a lot more to do

Objectives : Adventure, risk taker, dynamic

Tools : Cantilever, inclination , Fibonacci, repetition, perpendicularity, parallelism, tension, rhythm

Material : Balsa wood, paint, glue gun, X-Acto knife, scissors

Language : Radius and convergent sections

Inspiration: Risk taker, dynamic and repetition

From Critique:

The work shows an improvement, and the idea is making giant steps

The iteration expresses the intentions

There isn’t a base anymore which allows for a 3D perspective

Different textures and colors help to define predominant elements

There should be an analysis of the axis in the project

From iteration # 9: I decided to focus more in the direction of the axis, which became the backbone of the frame as well as turning it 45* in the top part and in both directions (vertical and horizontal). Also, there is a second element attached to the first one, which defines the transition between the rectilinear and curvilinear elements. I used a different kind material, and finally I built a third concentric succession of circles with a thinner black wood which connects the first two

Objectives : Adventure, risk taker, dynamic

Tools :Inclination, repetition, perpendicularity, parallelism, concentric, rhythm

Material : Balsa wood, paint, glue gun, X-Acto knife, scissors

Language : Radius and convergent sections

Inspiration: Risk taker, dynamic and repetition

From Critique:

The frame shows more dynamic and hierarchy between elements

On the other hand, the axis analysis isn’t clear yet

Don’t get rid of the vertical strips which give a tension sensation

The different kind of material helps to define hierarchy between elements

There should be more analysis of the axis

From iteration # 10: There was more study of the axis which pretty much converges at the same point as the concentric rings do. The proposal gains more clarity, and the intentions are more specific

Objectives : Adventure, risk taker, dynamic Tools : Inclination, repetition, perpendicularity,

parallelism, concentric, rhythm Material : Balsa wood, paint, glue gun, X-Acto knife, scissors Language : Radius and convergent sections Inspiration: Risk taker, dynamic and repetition

From Critique: The frame expresses the intentions clearly There are details that enrich the proposal (tension strips) Volume expresses a unity Transitions between elements are soft and clear

From iteration # 11: The sectioning exercise turned out to be very frustrating for me at the beginning, the condition was “sloat.” It was difficult to attach the papers the way I wanted. So, I just decided to grab the paper I used to take notes, make a cone, and start playing with the pieces of paper in my hands. I cut and taped the paper wherever I thought was necessary. The game started to look fun, and there was not any fear of wasting material since it was recycled paper

Objectives : Translate your frame intentions into a sectional frame

Tools : Questions— “Why here?,” “Why not here?,” “What about if …?,” “I think it would be a good idea …”

Material : Recycled paper, tape, X-Acto knife, scissors

Language : Cone, strips

Inspiration: Dynamic, risk taker

From Critique:

The start is very thoughtful

The intentions might not be clear yet, but the start has potential

Taking notes and literally putting them in your project helps you to recognize pros and cons

Good job by using material that was not clean in your first try. The idea is not being afraid of ruining your project

Explore options to give diversity

From iteration # 12: The first proposal was promoted, and the idea starts to come along. So far, I have identified three elements that compose my frame. The material seems to help, and it is easy to move the elements in order to define a global idea

Objectives : Translate your frame intentions into a sectional frame.

Tools : Questions— “Why here?,” “Why not here?,” “What about

if …?,” “I think it would be a good idea …”

Material : Recycled paper, tape, X-Acto knife, scissors

Language : Cone, strips

Inspiration: Dynamic, risk taker

From Critique:

The second sectional frame seems to be more clear in the intentions of the relationship between elements.

The different kind of material enriches the composition and gives more rigidity

It follows pretty much the same pattern as the first one

The promotion has worked.

From iteration # 13: The final promotion seems to unify the idea of the first two concepts together. The material is upgraded to a rigid poster board

Objectives : Translate your frame intentions into a sectional frame

Tools : Questions— “Why here?,” “Why not here?,” “What about if …?,” “I

think it would be a good idea …” , brainstorm from first two tries.

Material : Poster board, tape, X-Acto knife, scissors.

Language : Rings, straight planes, curvilinear strips.

Inspiration: Dynamic, risk taker.

From Critique:

Third sectional frame simplify the intentions of first two.

The promotion seems to be successful, material looks clean and well crafted.

Three languages are clearly noticeable.

Brainstorm seemed to be analyze carefully and there is a clearly sequence between last three iterations.

Components show a particular move at the same time, they related to each other and they simplify a common idea.

From iteration # 14: the proposal meant to turn the audience perspective, where it can stand up as is show in the first picture but the project is incomplete by consequence the message is not clear. In the other hand there is an intention to look for a fourth component, in order to enrich the unit.

Objectives : Define a language and discover your own technique.

Tools : Questions— “Why here?,” “Why not here?,” “What about if …?,” “I

think it would be a good idea …” , brainstorm from first two tries.

Material : Recycled paper, tape, X-Acto knife, scissors.

Language : Rings, straight planes, curvilinear strips, triangle slices.

Inspiration: Dynamic, risk taker

From Critique:

Sectional frame needs to be more clear in what wants to narrates as a story.

Oblique strips needs to be more convincing and energetic to demonstrate they can become a 4th element

The rings should be directed parallel to each other to satisfied the frame exercise

Nonetheless the unit shows a timid approach in order to look more elements and enrich the composition

From iteration # 15: I made a really quick volume from scraps , trying to figure out what would be the right position for the elements, why they should stay where they were? , how should I…?

Objectives : Narrate a story

Tools : Sectional, topological variables, sections, etc.

Material : Foam board, poster board, super glue, X-Acto knife, scissors

Language : Rings, rectilinear and circular planes, curvilinear strips

Inspiration: Suspense

From Critique:

The frame shows a basic idea. It has a lot of potential in the sense of demonstrating a good approach in the volume of what I want to represent.

Components confirm multiple languages .

From an auto-critique: I announced that the model was incomplete, and

I couldn’t add more details that would give a better idea of what I wanted to represent.

From iteration # 16: The concept was based in the succession of planes that are parallel, concentric, and perpendicular with an oblique position concentric to a common point, with implied surfaces. The volume in its basic intention was meant to express a contrast between parallel, perpendicular and curvilinear. These techniques were practiced continuously and my goal was planned to use these tools in order to narrate a logical idea

Objectives : Narrate a story.

Tools : Sectional, topological variables, sections, etc.

Material : Foam board, poster board, super glue, X-Acto knife, scissors.

Language : Rings, rectilinear planes, discs and curvilinear strips.

Inspiration: Suspense.

From Critique:

The frame shows a basic idea. I believe it has a lot of potential in the sense of demonstrating a good approach in volume of what I want to represent.

Components clearly confirm a diverse language(4).

The frame successfully shows implied surfaces, repetition, proximity, density and contrast.

The sectional frame is not complete, but the idea is clearly stated (graphics).

ARCH 101: MIDTERM & FINAL GRADE ASSESSMENT of STUDENT LEARNING

OUTCOMES (for both student and instructor use)

X = instructor; 0 = student

Student Name: Jose Zarate

Semester: Fall 2012

Midterm/Final Grade:

Design Process Development (4: Mind and Hand are in charge of Ideas; Modes of Individual

Process leads to Evolution of Refined Work vs. 0: No effort to think and do on one’s own, no

individual design process is employed)0 1 2 3 4 0

Architectural Concept Development (4: Consistently defined, explored, questioned and

effectively developed with rare lapses into weak intentions vs. 0: vague or unreasoned

with no definition, exploration, questioning, and development, intentions are weak or

non-existent)

0 1 2 3 4 0

Successful Representation Skills (4: Writing, Drawing, Diagramming, Constructing,

and Verbally Presenting are employed effectively to identify, analyze, explore,

decide, and communicate vs. 0: tools of design are rarely used fully and in timely

ways within an iterative design process)0 1 2 3 4 0

Body of Work: Quantity Leads to Quality (4: Quantity of Work demonstrates a commitment

to thoughtful effort accompanied by well-crafted work with rare lapses in to weak

production vs. 0: Fails to show effort; work illustrates a lack of craft with a sustained

absence of and/or weakness in production)

0 1 2 3 4 0

Creative Content: Avoiding the Obvious and Familiar (4: Consistently well reasoned with

high levels of intellectual and expressive excellence; embodies scholarly creative content

vs. 0: Infrequently reasoned with little thought or expression; creative content is lacking)

0 1 2 3 4 0

COMMENTS: I would like to thank Jerry for all the patience and trust that he put in us. I personally

appreciate the fact that even when we had difficult moments, he was able to handle the situation in the

right manner. As one of his students, I believe he deserves respect. I’m willing to demonstrate my respect

by doing the best I can in his class and stepping up together with my classmates. I believe this group

demonstrated that they are still here in this class even when the work seemed to be overwhelming. We

never gave up and that’s why I feel proud of my classmate, and for being a part of this class.

Midterm:

Student: The learning process during these first two months was challenging. There were many feelings

that I encountered during difficult situations. One example of a difficult moment that I felt was frustration,

which was present often. At the same time, I firmly believe that I made the right choice taking architecture

as my career. I love what I do, and I believe that architecture is more than a career. I consider architecture

as my passion. In the end, the effort was worth it, and I’m 100% ready to take the next step.