ecerahs ramos

eCotect.. [[sOLar dAyLighting aNalysis]]

2011-12-02T12:37:00.000-08:00

sKetch sEries FiVe.FiVe.. [[pOwer, dAta + cOmmunication pLan]]

2011-10-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

Conference Third Floor | Room 303

Power, Data and Communication Plan-----------------

sKetch sEries fiVe.. [[rEflected cEiling + LiGhting pLans]]

2011-10-18T11:51:00.000-07:00

Conference Third Floor | Room 303

Reflected Ceiling Plan----------------------------

Lighting Plan--------------------------------------

sKetch sEries fOur.. [[tYpes oF LuMinaries + iMprovements]]

2011-10-13T11:35:00.000-07:00

1. Staircase (Gatewood Studio Arts Building)
a. Type of Luminaire: Semi-direct.
b. Mounting Type: Surface mounted onto walls.
c. Lamping: 2 lamps, fluorescent, F32T8, Medium Bi-Pin
d. Construction: Length: 48in, Diameter: 1in, Shatter Resistant.
e. Manufacturer: TCP
f. Photometrics: Lumens: 3,400(initial); 3,200(mean); Color Temp. 4100K, CRI: 85
g. Material and finish: Acrylic, Plastic
h. Lensing: Acrylic
i. Function: fixed
j: Ballasts: specific voltage, non-dimming, program start, thermal fuse, internal to luminaire.
k: Environment: Dry
l: Shielding: Plastic covering, no baffles or louvers.

a. Purpose of space: Stairway, emergency egress.

b. Purpose of lighting: vertical navigation through space.

c. Effect of luminaire: Accent lighting during daylight hours, nighttime it illuminates the stairway.

d. Recommendation for improvement: change bulbs for proper usage.

2. Yankee Candle Company (Friendly Shopping Center)

a. Type of luminaire: Flood Light: Down lighting; MR-16: Directional down lighting.

b. Mounting Type: FL: Recessed; Mr-16: suspended track lighting

c. Lamping: FL: 6 lamps (med. size) Halogen 2850K, 1100 Lumens; MR-16: 45 adjustable halogen lamps, 3000K

d. Construction: MR-16: Multi-layered Titanium Oxide, Dichroic Reflector

e. Manufacturer: FL: Plus Rite; MR-16: Ushio

f. Photometric: FL: Beam of 40 degrees, 6 lamps with 75 watts each; MR-16: Beam angle of 36 degrees, 2000(CD) 45 lamps 50 watts each.

g. Material and finish: FL: cool white; MR-16: Titanium oxide coating, UV cut halogen axle.

h. Lensing: FL: Acrylic diffuse; MR-16: Acrylic UV Stabilized

i. Function: FL: fixed; MR-16: adjustable wall wash

j. Ballasts: FL: 130 volts, non-dimming, instant start, internal ballast; MR-16: 12 volts, dimming, instant start, internal to luminaire.

k. Environment: Dry

l: Shielding: No shielding

a. Purpose of space: Candle shop.

b. Purpose of lighting: To showcase merchandise.

c. Effect of luminaire: Spotlight on products to highlight new arrivals over older items.

d. Recommendation for improvement: More lighting incorporated in center.

3. Red Mango (Friendly Shopping Center)

a. Type of Luminaire: Flood Lamps: down lighting; MR-16: task lighting

b. Mounting Type: FL: recessed; MR-16: suspended track lighting

c. Lamping: FL: 31 lamps, med. size (E26), halogen, 2850K, 1100 lumens; MR-16: 18 adjustable halogen lamps, 3000K

d. Construction: MR-16: Multi-layered Titanium Oxide, Dichroic Reflector

e. Manufacturer: FL: Plus Rite; MR-16: Ushio

f. Photometric: FL: Beam of 40 degrees, 31 lamps with 75 watts each; MR-16: Beam of 36 degrees, 2000 (CD), 18 lamps with 50 watts each.

g. Material and finish: FL: Cool white, MR-16: Titanium oxide coating, UV cut halogen axle.

h. Lensing: FL: Acrylic diffuse; MR-16: Acrylic UV stabilized

i. Function: FL: fixed; MR-16: adjustable wall wash

j. Ballasts: FL: 130 volts, non-dimming, instant start, internal ballast; MR-16: 12 volts, dimming, instant start, internal to luminaire.

k. Environment: dry

l. Shielding: No shielding

a. Purpose of space: Frozen Yogurt shop

b. Purpose of lighting: To liven up the space for yogurt eaters.

c. Effect of lighting: suggests a sterile environment, showcases toppings available, friendly open space.

d. Recommendation for improvement: reduction in amount of lamps to reduce brightness a bit

sKetch sEries tHree.. [[LiGht mEter + iSolux diAgram]]

2011-09-28T11:25:00.000-07:00

sKetch sEries tWo.. [[fAbrics + LiGhting eXplorations]]

2011-09-21T11:11:00.000-07:00

a. identify the purpose of the space

b. identify the purpose of the lighting

c. identify the lamps

d. describe the effect of each light source in each space

e. do you notice any aspect of Flynn's subjective impressions?

f. provide recommendations for improving the lighting environment

Fluorescent

a. classroom/lecture

b. task lighting

c. fluorescent

d. provides an adequate amount of bright light

e. impression of clarity and efficiency

f. possibly a lower wattage to further aid in learning

LED

a. classroom/lecture

b. task lighting

c. LED

d. the flashlight aided in providing light wherever it was necessary

e. n/a

f. more flashlights would provide more overall lighting

MR-16

a. hallway for displaying work

b. accent lighting

c. MR-16

d. provides direct light to show importance

e. cooler light; neatness and visual clarity

f. provide other sources to prevent dark areas within space

Metal Halide

a. parking lot illuminance

b. ambient lighting

c. metal halide

d. provides lighting for people in the parking lot searching for their cars

e. n/a

f. i believe they serve the purpose well and efficiently

**Overall, the fluorescent bulbs represent the more pure colors. The warm and cool colors can be distinguished. The LEDs turn the fabric’s colors into washed out and whitened ones. MR-16 are relatively similar to the fluorescent bulbs but because of the way the bulbs being used it makes the colors seem brighter than they actually are. The metal halide distorts the fabric colors the most turning them into yellowish hues. It’s also hard to distinguish cooler colors from warmer ones.

LiGht mOdeL...

2011-09-15T15:40:00.000-07:00

iNterior LiGhting dEsign.. [[Light and Health]]

2011-09-01T05:47:00.000-07:00

Light and Health

Before I would agree that I find it hard to believe that light can cause health defects. Reading this, “Inadequate light levels are associated with dysfunction in a number of systems including diminished immune and endocrine function and may contribute to problems such as diabetes, reproductive and growth disturbances, and symptoms associated with premature aging (Maestroni & Conti, 1996),” was a huge surprise to hear. I understand that we need natural sunlight to get Vitamin D and other natural nutrients from the sun, but with technology nowadays is it not possible to replicate that? I guess that's the point right, that something natural can't be replicated.

With that being said, I will now contradict myself in saying that after reading the first article assigned about the affects of light, I can most definitely believe that light can cause health problems. It makes me never want to work the night shift because of the amount of exposure to electric and solar lighting and, of course, the possibility of developing cancer.

I do agree with the suggestions to better suit and design medical facilities. Those who need rest and sleep to get better should be able to receive that atmosphere at all times of the day. I'm still a bit confused. These medical terms and ideas are new to me. I'm still finding it hard to grasp the idea that certain types of lighting can lead to health problems.

iNterior LiGhting dEsign.. [[Light Revealing Experience]]

2011-09-01T05:45:00.000-07:00

Light Revealing Experience

While reading through the assigned article I began to understand how much light undoubtedly does matter. Normal people never pay close attention to how light is effected by places, nature, climates, time and tasks. When I say normal people, I mean those that are not in the Interior Architecture major because we all know that we are far from normal. Light within places help us to remember or recollect specific atmospheres while nature manipulates light and brings back memories of past times, good or bad. Not only does climate affect people, cultures and rituals but it also affects light and the character of the light. Time is forever ticking, light is forever changing to pertain to certain tasks we attempt we accomplish. If you've never imagined light in depth before, now's the time to start.

When we ponder about places subconscious cues can help us to remember them. These subconscious cues include light. In different places around the world light is experienced differently. Places located more towards the East would be more likely to experience sunrises and those on the West experience sunsets. Deep, down in valley's where the amount of direct sunlight is minimal can't compare to those who sit high on a mountain top and receive optimal sunlight. Because of these differences cultures of these areas begin to develop rituals and habits dealing with the rhythm of light they're exposed to. Those who experience the sunset or sunrise may plan events to celebrate this time and design including them. Different places bring forth different feelings toward light.

“When light creates an image of nature inside a building, associations are evoked through the type of light (intense, filtered, weak), the patterns of light (speckled, dappled, smooth, wispy), the direction of light, the color of light and the relation of light to the surroundings.” (pg.11). The best way I can think to explain what this meant to me was bio-mimicry using light. To express the way light breaks through closely grown forest trees using long, vertical stalks of wood and natural sunlight is helping to bring the outdoors in. Patterns of light are being used to convey an ambience and pull forth an experience. It is used to replicate familiar settings found in nature .

Climate has a significant affect on the amount of light used in spaces. “Light is often shunned in hot climates, while it is welcomed in cool climates,” (pg. 13). Because light sources give off heat, in warmer climates, you don't want to turn on lights and make things even warmer. Certain measures have been taken to keep warmth contained in cooler climates and keep cool contained in warmer ones. Less lighting compared to more lighting and even glazing of the windows.

Light has the ability to help us tell time. In the past, when people used sundials to keep time, they focused on the amount of sunlight dispersed and the direction of the shadow it casted to tell what time of day it was. Light shifts during the course of the days and seasons. Become familiar with these changes and you can tell what season and when in the day it is. In some places, the change in the color of the light casting outside is also a teller of time.

The section I felt more connected with was the relationship between light and task. Running the many tasks I partake in a day through my head and imaging the type of light I prefer for them has never crossed my mind before. Just as simple as waking up in the morning, I turn on a light so i'm not tempted to lay down and fall back asleep. It can be needing to dim the lights to watch a movie and clearly view the screen, turning off the lights to relax and sleep or changing the color of the light to set a specific type of mood. A more yellow light to trick the mind into feeling warmer or a whiter light to achieve the opposite. It's amazing what light can do and how it can make you feel.

Light has been awarded a new importance to me. Never had I thought about light causing me to feel a certain way, a smell maybe, or a touch, but not light. All these comparisons are connected in some way or another. A places climate, nature, change in time or the task. You can't escape light, it's everywhere.

wi10 [cOnnections]...

2011-04-29T11:06:00.000-07:00

I can honestly say that this semester has turned out to be a huge wake up call for me. Goals have been met and goals have been dismissed or pushed to the side. Many of lessons have been learned and have slowly begun to surface. Throughout the different experiences dealing with a variety of group members I’ve discovered a number of obsessions and fixations circling around myself that I’ve learned to control and tame. Through writing I’ve discovered a sort of outlet to express my true inner thoughts which may not be totally apparent in my physical work. Not simply writing, but different forms of writing to further expand other people’s understandings of what I’m initially trying to expose. Writing, being an integral part of the design process, has forever become a large part of my individual process because without it my process is not whole. Ambitions relevant to me are growing in quantity and in level of difficulty.

My individual goals set at the beginning of this semester were never lost within the experience. At times there was some doubt that they were getting left behind and forgotten, but every now and again they would poke their heads in, letting me know that they were not far behind. A major goal I had set for myself this semester was to avoid self doubt and have more confidence within myself. I tend to notice comparing myself to others who may seem to be better than me at a specific task. Instead, I tried to shadow those who were further skilled in tasks to gain a better understanding and comfort around those areas. So I no longer needed to feel that doubt or that lack of knowledge.

Dealing with the different numbers within the selected groups proved to be more complicated with the more people involved. The amount of difficulty expressing ones individual design voice started to become almost impossible towards the end in a group of twelve. Especially given that at least half of those voices were extremely overbearing and powerful. With a teeny, weenie, soft spoken voice such as my own I had to step outside of my comfort zone to get my points across and my ideas out. When working independently it’s all my voice, all my plans and all my work. Of course, it’s easy to hear me when I’m working solo. It’s not necessary to stand on top of a mountain and scream at the top of my lungs hoping someone will hear me and recognize me. The group of three was a bit more comfortable. I could easily get my proposals across and if ever I became stuck in a thought or hit a wall somewhere, I had someone to help me steer around it without my originality getting lost. It was a lot easier to piggy back off of merely two other people rather than five or even eleven. I felt my voice begin to become softer once we were in groups of six. It always seemed as if others ideas were more successful than mine. I think it was merely the way I presented them. More confidence next time for sure.

Writing was a huge part of the work process this semester. I found it to be extremely helpful when I couldn’t quick sketch or verbally explain my ideas. After taking the time to really sit down and analyze what I was trying to show and writing it down, a few things came easier. When dealing with a larger group the writing came in handy also. People comprehend things differently and in different ways so those who didn’t understand the visual could understand the written. I was introduced to multiple forms of writing that I had never been exposed to before, at least not in this context. Some came more effortless than others, but I’ve never been the writer I would like to be so no one type was simple for me. I hope I will continue to progress in my writing and become a more fluid writer.

A few of my goals have changed since the beginning of this semester. I no longer doubt myself as much; I just realize that I’m not always going to be the best at everything right away. Life is about making mistakes and learning from them. Use your sources to further become who you want to be. My view on group work has also taken another direction. Proved to be difficult and unfair at times, group work will have to be something I work at individually. There will always be those who take control and those who slack. Usually the more people you have, the more opportunity there is for that. With the writing skills and people skills I have acquired over this semester I feel better equipped to engage in my third year.

Thank You.

image here; Different people coming together as a group. Notice the dumbfounded faces1

image here; Where will the story lead and how will the story end!?

image here; i JUST need some me time, some NO MORE than three time, some ANYWHERE but here time!!

7.3 [fRiendLy aSsessment]...

2011-04-28T09:42:00.000-07:00

As a second year we were asked to peer review the first years on their writer’s residence project. A student by the name of Lindsey Grace stood out to me because we’re always encouraged to go above and beyond and she did just that. She showed ambition in her design ideas. She realized that the amount of room provided was not enough to incorporate her visions in their entirety so she added a space that not only was needed but showed appreciation to the original structure. She represented a strong amount of technical drawings and renderings to help further explain and portray her process. Any questions that were asked she had an answer for which showed Lindsey had a great understanding of her work. Her tone of voice was nice and kept the audience interested and eager to hear what was to come next.

When I was a first year the word “just” was not allowed to be in our vocabulary when discussing our work. It showed a lack of confidence and no thought behind your decisions. Although Lindsey used this word a few times she did not over use it. I would encourage her to be aware of using “just” and avoid it completely as necessary. Also, consider the hierarchy of your work during your presentations. The color of mounting boards and the order in which you place your deliverables is important.

Overall I would like to commend Lindsey on a job well done. If this project was to be continued and further explored, I’d be eager to see the finished product and where her ideas take her from here.

jEnga [7.0]...

2011-04-20T13:37:00.000-07:00

Individual Board "Revolve"

Circulation Board

Public Space Board

Components Board

Building Board

Site Plan

Photo Montage of Site

Site Board

jEnga [7.2] iNformance... (tOp tEn tiPs oF tOp tEn)

2011-04-15T09:36:00.000-07:00

1) Pay attention to details, line weights and labeling on your technical drawings. (Technical Drawings; Anna and Austin)

2) Indent materials w/ blade at center of cut line at the beginning and end to avoid over extension. (Models; Justin and Sharon)

3) Remove distractions. Help your audience focus on what you're saying; not what you're chewing. (Presentations; Audra and Jamaan)

4) Not a technical drawing [this includes floor plans, sections, etc. (Diagrams; Leslie and Faith)

5) "One for good luck", find your happy place. When it comes to finding your design voice you must find what inspires you. (Inspiration; Alyssa and Blakeni)

6) Keep it simple, do not over complicate or mix up with spec documents. (Schedules; Jasmine and Cassandra)

7) Write as your project is progressing. Don't leave the writing until the end. (Writing; Kara and Kathryn)

8) ALL the Sketch Up shortcuts helped a lot.

9) Give purpose to all graphics. (Graphics; Nikki and Abigail)

10) Always remember FUN, FOOD, FRIENDS.. and SLEEP! We're "different" people without sleep. (Craft; Correy and Kacie)

10 [tiPs oN vErtical ciRculation]...

2011-04-14T14:19:00.000-07:00

10 tips about VERTICAL CIRCULATION!

or click here

image sources found here and here

image sources found here and here, oh and here!

image sources found here!

image sources found here.

wi9 [wRiting aCross sCaLe]...

2011-04-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

When thinking back to Jenga 1.0 it’s apparent to see the same aspects and ideas applied to the Jengas tackled since then and are ongoing now in Jenga 7.0. Not only are we bringing together the processes of others, but we’re continuing to expand on our individual concepts. As we continue forward I can’t help but notice my original approach peeking through.

The collaboration between the verticality of team Symbiosis and the off-the-grid like approach of team Pinnacle proved to be fascinating. Fascinating in the sense that our overall proposals were surprisingly similar to my original ideas for my individual unit. As a whole, the idea of voids and negative spaces verses open spaces were significant to our predominant intentions, while to me this further proved the peeking of my design voice within the group perspective. When designing my unit I chose to use the two solids kit of parts because of a similar reason. These solids, built once then rotated twice to end up with three, were built to perform multiple uses such as housing the bathroom area including a toilet, shower and sink, housing the kitchenette area and housing a study/storage area. The solids act as voids within the space to imply a certain path of navigation with open spaces in between them. When first discussing material selections for our 7.0 structure the idea of natural materials indigenous to our site area was discussed. I chose a related method in I used earthly color tones and natural materials on the floors, walls and solids materials. Our ideas have changed since then so I shifted that similarity into my furnishings. The use of a large number of glass and steel for structural support steered me in the direction of simple, light and airy furnishings. When I think of glass I think of clear, trouble-free thinking and living so the lucid and straight forward pieces speak an analogous language. The overall movement of our structure is the most significant being that my individual concept word is “revolve”. The slight revolving movement of all individual units within the design reflects the revolution of the solids built into my construction.

It is funny how you think you’ve moved on from one point in this, what seems to be never-ending, project only to notice the familiarities within these forever-growing group extensions. After taking a second to think further about where I see my individual design ideas within the whole of our final 7.0 structure I can’t help but detect the glimpses of me and 1.0 there between the cracks. We’ve all seen where it started; now it’s time to bring it on home and end it.

[7.1] LuCky sEven...

2011-04-03T17:23:00.000-07:00

        Our group meeting we held Saturday actually went a lot better than expected. I'm thinking it was because the day before a few of us got together and tossed around ideas and concerns. That allowed us to have a step up for our group by being able to jump into the conversation easily.
        There was a bit of hesitation coming into this mostly because of my groups structure from Jenga 6.0. The twist and turns of our individual structures made it difficult to simply stack one building onto another. We instead approached it by separating half the individual structures of my group's building and adding them on top of the other. We chose a completely different location from the two we had chosen for our 6.0 project, so we're headed to Vic, Spain.
       To achieve a group name we did an old fashioned word web. One person would call out a word and from there everyone else would call out whatever that particular word made them think of. Until we came up with synergy meaning; the potential ability of individual organizations or groups to be more successful or productive as a result of a merger, where as a whole we'll work to be better than the individual.

image courtesy of: http://www.therainmakergroupinc.com/PerformanceSynergy/

All I can do is cross my fingers and hope for the best. Here goes nothing.

jEnga [6.0]...

2011-04-01T13:27:00.000-07:00

wi8 [order + enrichment]

2011-03-27T18:22:00.000-07:00

Whole>Sum of Its Parts

It all started with the first assignment sheet. I have not yet been in a studio with as many boundaries as put forth here, so I was already eager to partake. Shortly after came the second, the third and the fourth sheet. We all had our suspicions of what might come next after we began to notice a pattern. First, we were asked to work individually in two parts. Next, merge with two other people to form a three person group with a united concept and finally, merge our three persons with another three to form six. Six is where we stand as of now. Group work, never being my preference, was on our plates at this time. The more people who become involved, the more complicated and different the situation turned out to be.

When it was just me by myself, my own personal identity was able to shine through. Once I received my concept word “revolve” the job was mine to interpret the word the way I saw fit. Majority of the class took their concept words and turned them into three sub concept definitions to put forth within their designs. I wasn’t much different. With my kit of parts it was my job as a designer to designate moments of hierarchy, ascending and descending instances, constraint and freedom connotations and moments of admittance and rejection. If I could choose a portion of this first part to look back on and further develop I would put more time and thought into materiality. Color palette decisions, architectural details, furnishings, floor and built-ins materials and lighting were areas I, not necessarily neglected, but didn’t have the time to consider or realize fully. In addition I would revisit my model. I like to pride myself on model construction and craft but I can also admit that there is a lot more to be learned and developed.

With the addition of two other designers the situation became, interesting. Again, I have never been a huge fan of group work and these circumstances did not make me want to familiarize myself with it any further. You begin to learn more and more about people when you work as close to them as we were asked to. The proposal came easy. We found it quite unproblematic to unite our three designs and concepts. What came a bit more complicated was producing the technical work. Here is where our individual personalities began to clash. One might not have worked as fast as some, one might not have paid as much attention to detail and the extra stress of one caused the extra stress onto the others. Communication was a struggle for us within this group. The fear of hurting someone’s feelings or misinterpretation held us back from achieving as much as we wanted to in the end. I believe that the pinch for time and amount of work presented caused an “every [wo] man for themselves” type of mentality instead of us opening the flows of communication between the three of us. However, one thing I can say is our model was amazing!

Then there were six. If I thought three was a problem, I could only imagine what six would be like. My absence from the first third of this portion was a major concern for me but I knew that the five talented designers holding down the fort had it all under control. Within this more substantial group we were asked to select a team leader. I think that was an excellent suggestion because with all the different personality styles and opinions there was no way we could have made it anywhere without some delegation. At times I found that mine, as well as others, design voices were overlooked or not heard. I assume you cannot fault anyone for this occurring only because it’s a larger group and some ideas may be better liked or articulated than others. I feel that we need to work on a better approach for everyone to be able to express their design ideas and design identities. One approach we did take that I feel was successful was working closer with individuals that were not in our original group of three to avoid those same issues previously experienced.

Thinking back so far at this experience, I realize that it’s not group work in particular that I have an issue with. I recognize that’s it more the people I end up in a group with. I’m definitely not saying that there is anything wrong with the people that are presently in my group, more like I have yet to come across anyone I mesh well with. Group work to me is a gift and a curse. A gift in the sense that ideas I have that I cannot seem to expand to the next level can easily be picked up by a partner. If I have issues finding the words to explain or articulate my thoughts I have someone there to assist me in making it clearer for the recipient. My doubts can be distinguished by someone working close to me who has faith in my creativity and visions. A curse in that at times I feel my identity being lost and I’m just along for the ride. My thoughts and ideas get disregarded or unnoticed and the difficulty of getting along with some people. Of course this is something that needs to be worked on now while I’m still in school because I doubt there will be many opportunities to work alone in the real world. All things considered, the real excitement is what may or may not be coming up next.

jEnga [5.0]...

2011-03-25T13:25:00.000-07:00

jEnga [4.99]...

2011-03-15T17:26:00.000-07:00

Surprise! Surprise!.. Guess what’s next? I can’t say it was at all a shock the news we received Monday after our critique of Jenga 4.0. The groups of three we now have are about to become groups of six. My first reaction was nervousness mostly because just recently the laser cutter was put to rest so all I could think about was cutting a model of an 8-story structure, by hand! My fingers began to tingle a bit. However on the bright side, I’m lucky enough to be working with three more talented designers.

The first group we were paired with was Interlocking (Jaman, Brian and Audra). Audra was absent but Brian and Jaman definitely stepped up to the plate and handled business. Combining both of our concepts wasn’t as hard as I imagined it to be. We jumped right in. The game of Tetris was a large inspiration for our combined design idea. The stacking of our individual buildings in a specific manner resembled the game in that each piece is a different shape and size but they fit together to form a whole. We placed a glass elevator directly up the center where all spaces had access, as well as, fire stairs on either side. When it came to the tasks at hand, everyone took initiative and volunteered to complete the job they felt most comfortable with. Brian did an amazing job in Sketch Up putting together all this in about 10 minutes time. Jaman and Jasmine worked on the circulation diagrams, Alyssa on the proposal and I added the details of material on the printed detail and axon view of the proposed structure. Not horrible in an hour’s time. As a collection we came up with the overall name _________.

Second up was the group Beaucoup with Phillip, Nicky and Cassandra. With this group we took a different approach. Since we already had both structures built in Sketch Up, we played with simply stacking one on top of the other. Since our structure was exceptionally larger than there’s it only made sense to place theirs on top. Coincidentally, our fire stairs were located on the exact same corners. With a plain old floor extension it would be an easy solution to all floors having access to those stairs. In this group situation Cassandra and Jasmine were discussing what our groups had in common so they decided to just move ahead with the proposal while Philip and I played with the Sketch Up model to try and produce a cohesive design. Alyssa and Nicole drew up the diagrams to help explain our plans for circulation. A large concern we soon came across was coming up with a consistent idea between the two groups. One thing I can say for sure we may get chewed out about is that some of our deliverables were printed in landscape rather than portrait, but with the hour deadline, we ran out of time to fix it.

Axon View of Structure

Elevation of Structure

Detail of Materials Used

I’m eager to see where this leads and what group we’ll ultimately be working with.

jEnga [4.0]...

2011-03-04T13:00:00.000-08:00

jEnga [3.0]...

2011-02-23T12:47:00.000-08:00

jEnga [3.1]... sOrting tHe piEces

2011-02-16T07:09:00.000-08:00

Narrative........
As you advance to the complex composed of 3 units it begins to expose a passageway that envelops the inhabitant. It allows for spatial navigation in three routes not only to get to private residences but also to the public spaces. Each space has starting and ending points formed by solids, and only one navigational route to each subsection of the individual spaces. Within the spaces we each designed the solids perform the same actions as the corridors that now link the spaces together. The solids prohibit you from taking more than one path to each individual node and center. In a circuit you stop communication in one place and transfer or direct it to another in order to complete the information being processed. One cannot deviate from the path put before them, because obstructions prohibit them from doing so; their journey is predetermined. The public spaces represent the breaks in a circuit where the complex allows comfort, and community engagement.

Diagram of Group Complex

Circulation Diagram

Domain Diagram (Top Level)

Domain Diagram (Bottom Level)

Connections and Boundary Diagrams

jEnga [2.0]... rEflection

2011-02-13T19:41:00.000-08:00

        I'm starting to encounter this part of me that's full of doubts. In the beginning I was all about, f**k doubt, and, I'll never doubt me, but I wasn't expecting this semester to challenge me so much and bring me so close to edge. Of course I have the support of my classmates and good friends, but honestly, what good is that if I can't support myself and my work?

        I've turned into my harshest critic. I'm the hardest on me and rarely give myself a break. This time around I thought I'd put more focus on my models since they were less than acceptable last time. I find myself working super hard on the extra stuff that the materials which are required fall short. I felt good about the work I had done. Until, of course, I saw the others. I am a huge fan of most of my classmates and they never cease to amaze me. I just wonder if I ever amaze them.

        We were asked to take our first space and expand it 50% by adding a space above or below. My original idea was a physical revolution of the solids built, being that my concept word was revolve. The first solid housed a sleeping area and bathing area while the second was for food preparation and consumption. It only made sense to continue this and incorporate a third solid within the added space to house a place for study and concentration. The biggest issue I had was the staircase to get from one space to the next. I took a shelving concept used in the solids and incorporated that into the stairs. I'm not sure if it was the best idea, but it worked for me. I feel that my drawings and model were average but I don't want to be average. I want to be praised and spotlighted for my work. I took a lot of inspiration from Austin Loman and Abigail Buchanan's work. Austin's technical drawings and renderings were amazing while Abigails' model structure techniques were extremely successful.

       Maybe one day soon before the end of the semester my work will sit outside the main offices.

jEnga [2.0]...

2011-02-12T06:44:00.000-08:00

Solid 1 (Bathroom/Sleeping Area)

Revolution of Solid 2 (Food Preparation and Consumption)

Revolution of Solid 3 (Working/Storage)

wi3 [linking writing + reviewing]...

2011-02-01T18:58:00.000-08:00

From the moment I noticed Nikki’s concept word was leap my center of attention was immediately grasped. Me being a lover of frogs I was envious that I had not chosen the word. I was fascinated by what designs for her spaces she had come up with focusing around this word. Her first space caught me by surprise. She didn’t proceed with a literal meaning of the concept word, but instead dug deeper. In her first and second spaces she explained how the word leap made her imagine the actions of a frog as it dropped, or leaped, into a small puddle of water and the ripple effects it caused. The outstretch of the water was represented by curves cut into the ceiling, as well as, curved walls for easy navigation and a light bearing column. The curves fell closer to the floor in the more intimate areas to signify the hopping path of the frog. The column and two walls were used for division of spaces. Her third space paid attention around the big finish, the splash. Utilizing her two solids she portrayed the distribution of water. Nikki’s attention to detail within her axonometric drawings and sections were breathtaking. I’m eager to see what come next from this amazing designer.

check out Nikki Ware; Je suis de plus en plus

As a huge fan of Corry Mears I was excited to discover I would be one of his classmates critiquing him. With a concept word like glide, I knew Corry would fabricate extraordinary design ideas. For his first space he focused on materials to portray his concept word. He incorporated an emphasis on sleek and smooth materials within this open floor planned space. Glide was expressed in the movement, or circulation throughout the space. It revealed a clean, fresh environment with minimal focus on his kit of parts. These were used for division purposes mostly. Within his second space, Corry considered a feeling of floating or hovering. The idea of levitation was apparent within this area using his two solids to further imply the illusions. With these hovering masses above your head you can’t help but wonder how they’re floating in the first place. His final space was an exploration on the act of airplanes gliding and aviation. He incorporated rich materials from throughout history like metals, woods and steel cables. His kit of parts was also used to help depict literal aviation with the visual of an airplane in his technical drawing of the plan. I really enjoyed flying with Corry during his exploration of his concept word glide.

Check out Corry Mears at Corry Mears Presents

Jenga [1.0]

2011-02-01T12:48:00.000-08:00

Space One [Revolving around an idea; physical revolution of solids]

Space Two [Forced circulation/physical revolution of figure]

Space Three [Orbiting around a cingular point, physical revolving of walls]

[1.1 + 1.2 = wi2]..

2011-01-20T20:00:00.000-08:00

With a concept word like revolve only a few things come to mind; either revolving doors and walls or moving in a circular motion around something. To stray away from the obvious I researched the word and came across words like orbit, consider and cycle. My first space came easiest. My idea was to construct a space that physically causes you to circulate in a specific way. Entering the door a curved wall forces you down a mysterious hallway, limited light and thick air. As you enter the kitchen area you’re instantly hit by the warm, natural sunlight pouring into the windows. You can prepare and consume your meals in a contented atmosphere. As you circle around the corner you enter the living room space and immediately feel a sense of comfort and relaxation for you and your guests. Throughout your journey you’ll notice the room seeming to get smaller because of the lowering ceiling, separating non-intimate from intimate. A full wall of windows directs you to the bedroom and the bathroom concealed behind two columns. You have now revolved around my first space.

Think back to elementary school and learning about the planets. Remember how the planets orbit around the sun? Good, because now it’s time for you to orbit around my second space. Centered in this unit is a column built for full focus. Enter the door into a living room space designed for relaxation and entertainment. To either the right or left side sits a wall with a door. To the right you enter the kitchen, a place that always makes me feel happy. A basic kitchen designed for consuming and preparing meals. Natural light fills the space causing a small need for artificial lighting, at least during the day. Entering the bedroom and bathroom area with the small skylights in the ceiling makes your dreams of becoming an astronaut a reality. Having guests and need a bit more space in the living room area or kitchen? Simply shift the walls to add a few feet to that particular space as necessary. Welcome to outer space.

My last space is for recollection and consideration; reflection. Being the smallest of the bunch, that’s almost all you have legroom to do. Enter into an open room where, through your peripherals, you can experience the entire space. The bed and bathroom are of minimal design to include the necessities. Built into a “solid”, or a cut out, especially made to provide that intimate feeling needed to relax. This same idea is then rotated around to the other end to house the necessities of the kitchen area. One long wall of windows used to flood the space with warmth and relief. Now is the time to revolve around ideas and dreams of the future. Showing this interpretation of my concept word was difficult. I could have easily given up and took the easier route, but one of my goals was to challenge myself this semester and that’s what I intend to do.

1.2 [cOmponents]...

2011-01-14T15:12:00.000-08:00

Space 1 - kit; 2 solids

Space 2 - kit; one column, two walls

Space 3 - kit; one wall, two columns

Provided with the concept word revolve, immediately what came to mind was revolving doors and walls and windows. I wanted to venture away from that which was so literal and came upon words and definitions like to move in a circular or curving course or orbit, to focus or center on and to think about or consider. When considering how to layout my spaces i had to take into account the sizes provided and the 3 kit of parts. Within the first space i focused on a place for consideration. A small, intimate space used for reflection and the revolution around ideas. I chose to use the two solids kit because the space is already the smallest of the three, i wanted to utilize the space rather than add walls to make it any smaller. The second, I concentrated around the word "orbit". I placed a column in the center of the space and am centering the individual spaces around it. The third focused around physically revolving a space. A curved wall placed right at the door forces the figure to move in a specific direction. These diagrams help illustrate the circulation, destinations, boundaries and objects of the spaces. You may notice how there is some overlap showing that majority of the individual areas within the small space can easily be multifunctional.

wi1 [dEsigner bio and gOaLs..rOund 2]...

2011-01-14T15:04:00.000-08:00

     Here I am in a new year, a new semester and I can't help but wonder; am I headed in the direction I want to be headed? Am I on track to achieve the long-term goals I've set for myself? Am I truly discovering me? I'm thinking that if I have to wonder about these things, most likely I may be going astray. The time has come to get back on track, again.
     A fresh year for a fresh new attitude. When asked to list my goals for the semester it sounded fairly similar to listing new years resolutions. I find these hard to believe in because why wait til the new year? If it's an achievement you hope to accomplish, start now, start today. I want to challenge myself beyond my means. It's time to stop playing it safe and take risks, disregarding the outcome (to some extent). Manage my time so there's enough to go around. I'm forced to manipulate this set amount of hours to attain excellence. Impossible!! I want to polish my hand rendering skills discovering my own unique styles of art and work. Be able to refer to the past through my own knowledge and generate connections. Ultimately I have an appetite for becoming more highly skilled in my work as well as in my life.
     When asked to specify a list of strengths, I froze. One of the hardest occurrences for me is to talk about myself, especially since I'm not completely sure of who that is. I would like to say I'm coordinated and full of ideas. I have excellent time management skills and am always filled with great input. I have an exceptionally easy time explaining and illustrating my thoughts and objectives. Blah blah blah blah blah. The reality is, I'm human. I make mistakes and continue to learn and grow from them. Sometimes I procrastinate to a point where I'm awake for days at a time. One strength I can and will claim, however, is that I am a perfectionist and very analytical.
     This first week of classes was a wake-up call for me. It's definitely time to get my ish together and take care of business. No longer will I doubt myself or compare myself to others. I'm taking control of my life, starting now!

Self- Control, Time- Management, Life

wi1 [dEsigner bio and gOaLs]..

2011-01-11T20:51:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of every semester I always think back on what i've accomplished so far. In my year and a half in the Interior Architecture program i've definitely discovered things about myself that I never knew and have done things I didn't know I could. With all this discovery, however, I still can't help but to doubt myself. I'm surrounded by extremely talented people that i've come to admire and wonder to myself if i'll ever be as talented and creative as they are.

In our first class of this semester we were asked to write our goals which wasn't hard. Well, my goals are to further explore myself as a designer to discover who that really is, be able to better link the past with the present (because we as designers rely on precedent), polish my writing skills; or lack there of, maintain an improved and more detailed blog to showcase my work and better manage my time (which is a never ending battle). Are these goals reachable? Of course they are, why wouldn't they be? Focus and determination I guess. But that doubt.. that doubt is always dwelling.

When asked to name our strengths, I froze. It took a while to get started with that list. It always seems the hardest to talk about yourself, especially if you're not 100% sure of who that person is. Throughout this semester, I plan to further discover that person.

An interesting activity we partook in during class was the Change Style Indicator test we took. Basically this test was to help show how you react to change. It was surprising to find out that I was in the “originators” category. The “originators” are the risk takers, unconventional and follow the rules but will just as easily break them. Does this describe me? Possibly, but I don't want people to think I can't be a team player and stay within boundaries. I'm like water; I can take the shape of anything you put me in. (hahaha)

Stay tuned for what happens next as the semester progresses........

What type of mindset i should be in.. i need to be in.. and i will be in!! (http://doubttheconventional.com/)

Point: Explorations

2010-12-10T13:00:00.000-08:00

As this semester comes to an end, the time has arrived to come clean. I’ve never been a huge history buff. The information just never seems to stick and I find it difficult to recognize relationships between one of the time periods to the next. This semester’s class for me was a bit of a challenge because of this. Majority of our assignments, such as these points and our counterpoints, were meant to help us make comparisons and connections to the past lessons and methods we’ve learned. How can I achieve that if I find it difficult to come across these assessments? I will say that my fellow classmates were a huge help. A simple conversation or short discussion was usually what I needed to steer my thought process in the right direction. I would also like to thank Patrick for making this experience an enjoyable one. Never have I experienced a teacher with so much enthusiasm and fondness of a particular subject. I learned that in every class, expect the unexpected.

Our last section was entitled Explorations. If ever there was a disregard for the regurgitation of design ideas and methods, as well as, new rules and systems written, this was it by far. With all the information and visuals available to us as designers I can’t seem to understand why we’ve seem to become lazy in a sense. The artifacts, spaces, buildings and places being designed today, in this time we call modernism, don’t explore the knowledge we have from the past. The minimalism and simplicity are cop outs to what we are truly capable of. On every corner we’re surrounded by these cookie-cutter style homes that are merely stuck in a spot and described by the name “suburbia”; these homes that possess no personality or deep sense of importance.

The idea of commodity, firmness and delight are no longer in use. These new “modern” style spaces and objects ooze with delight and, with our technological knowledge, are as sturdy as a rock, but lack any sort of commodity. As a reminder; commodity referring to a specific use, firmness referring to the stability of a structure and delight referring to the overall feeling given by an artifact, space, building or place. Modernism has been described as sterile, cold and putting no thought into human beings. In class we discussed our crisis where it’s believe that design is no longer for everyone. Design has formed an eliteness intended for only certain people. The world is more interested in the individual rather than the interest of the community and because we have the power to transport goods and services from all over the world, we do it, and fill spaces with no consideration to themes. We collect items, whether they go together or not. Finally, because of this eliteness, our interest in individual vs. community and our collecting, there is no longer a specified proposed language, there is no “right way” of doing things and there’s a loss of design vocabulary.

"Suicide by Modernism" -- Mark Kostabi (2005)

I chose this picture entitled “Suicide by Modernism” by Mark Kostabi because I feel it sums up how most people feel about this idea of modernism; where multiple ideas are thrown into one piece of work or the past ideas are left on the ground to fertilize the earth. Notice how the “old school” styles are in black and white laying on the ground while the colors and vibrancies are celebrated hovering over them. Hopefully one day, with our generation of designers, we can spin the design continuum back in the “right” direction.

rEading cOmprehension 7...

2010-12-03T13:09:00.000-08:00

**Within the theme of the exhibit assigned to your group, select ONE work and draw a diagram of the
work, using the principles and elements of design. Write a 250-word annotation for your diagram to the
themes of the EXPLORATIONS unit and the readings assigned for this unit. In your annotation, analyze
and include at least one other work of art in the theme you have been assigned, make 3-5 appropriate
citations from the readings, and consider SCALE (artifact, space, building, and place) as you complete
your work.

--

According to dictionary.com, one of the definitions of art is “the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.” Although we are all people, I feel that’s the only thing majority of us have in common. We implement different personalities, difference in opinions and difference in expression. I believe that this definition is also a characterization for the modernism movement. During this time, as we discussed during history class, our crisis is we now possess this confidence where we believe individuals to be more important than the community. Design is now for the elite and well off. We’ve lost any sort of design language.

The Town & Country theme of the Greensboro Collects show in the Weatherspoon Art Museum was an expression on how smaller towns and countries have yet forgotten about the community. Concentrating on the piece titled “Friday Night at the Ozark Airdome,” by Walter Barker, the idea of community is still relevant in this image of the town watching a movie outside. With its contrast in colors and textures, this work of art expresses the audience as almost one large form. The individual people can only be distinguished by the various colored tinctures. The simplicity and scale of the house in the background and wooden fence express how we’ve lost sight of the minimalism of the past and are more focused on how much more an individual can realize before the other. One thing is for sure, the idea of commodity, firmness and delight are present within this piece in the balance of colors and whites, repetition of similarities and scale of the piece as a whole.

The work of Deborah Grant also caught my eye. Entitled, “By the Skin of Our Teeth,” it’s a mixed media piece made of collaged paper, ink, and oil. Although multiple types of media were used it’s still a very simplistic piece. It “stresses purity of form and sleekness of surface while increasingly exploiting the expressive power of the irregular form introduced into an otherwise insistent structural grid,” (Roth, pg. 569). Richard Meier, a designer who drew influenced form Le Corbusier, concentrate the use of pure white geometric forms and pipe railings, as in the Douglass House in 1971-1973. Similar to the design style of Richard Meier, this piece expresses “minimalism and reduction of materials.” (Roth, 570)

"By the Skin of Our Teeth #2" -- Deborah Grant (2006)

Douglass House by Richard Meier

rEading cOmprehension 6...

2010-11-16T17:25:00.000-08:00

[1] A common theme of the early twentieth century found in Roth, Harwood, and Massey set the tone for an understanding of styles in architecture and design influenced by fine art. Selecting either Arts + Crafts or Art Nouveau, TRACE the influences of the selected style in more than two nations. In your answer, you should include evidence from the readings and at least two annotated images as support for your analysis of influences.

***

Art Nouveau explores a new style in the visual arts and architecture that developed in Europe and North America at the end of the nineteenth century. It’s a style of design attempting to create a new vision that discards any past precedents and expresses a more visual language. Primarily a style of line and ornament, it’s mostly seen in architecture, interiors, furniture, graphic arts and the decorative arts. Designers of the Art Nouveau time believed that all arts should be creative and imaginative, work in harmony to create total works of art. This was more than a simple style, it was a way of thinking about modern society and new methods of production.

In Germany, there is a strong urge for a new style after industrialization. Munich becomes the major concentration of the arts. This movement began with the works of Hermann Obrist, Auguste Endell, Peter Behrens, Bruno Paul and Richard Riemerschmid. The use of strong, asymmetrical geometry, extreme curves and an emphasis on decoration were popular. The style had a small impact on architecture but significantly influenced textiles, jewelry and furniture. This style movement was spread across Germany and into Belgium. It is credited for the advance design that thrived in Belgium during that time period. An example of Art Nouveau in Germany would be the Majolika Haus by Otto Wagner in Austria. Named after the weather proof, painted ceramic floral designs on the façade, with its decorative iron balconies and flexible S-shaped linear embellishment, this structure is most definitely considered Art Nouveau.

Majolika Haus by Otto Wagner in Austria

In Spain, Art Nouveau appears majorly in Barcelona. In Harwood (pg. 484), in mentions two trends that were revealed, “ The mainstream Art Nouveau, called Moderismo or Arte Moderno, which follows the artistic lead of Belgium and France. The second trend is inspired by the Catholic Church’s view of contemporary life, which seeks to mold society both theologically and aesthetically.” A popular dominance of this trend is Antoni Gaudi. His forms were a display of twisted features, decorative details and attention to ergonomics. Materials included iron, stone, and ceramic tile often used to convert objects into renditions of flowers, trees and waves to create a surreal sense of place. An example of Art Nouveau in Spain is the Casa Batllo in Barcelona, Spain, with its undulating line movement made possible by a curvilinear metal frame and concrete, and it’s arches in relation to body’s skeleton.

Casa Batllo by Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona, Spain

Influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement which drew attention to the return to nature, beautiful designs, graceful shapes and waves, in which are represented by vegetables, flowers, insects and colored birds. The Art Nouveau period communicates its expression in different art shapes, like stone front walls, ceramics, and iron, interiors with curved walls, frequently with an enthusiastic ornamentation.

[2] Originating at the Bauhaus and in the work of LeCorbusier, the so-called Modern movement deeply influenced design and architecture of the twentieth century. The great debate raised by this new approach to design involved the presence of the machine in the design process and final products.

SPECULATE about the implications of “machines for living” and the famous dictum “less is more” on design today. Use at least one ARTIFACT, SPACE, or BUILDING in your answer, providing a salient image (cited) and annotation to help bolster your argument.

The Modern Movement, also known as the International Style, was classified by three broad principles, “emphasis upon volume rather than mass; regularity arising from standardized elements rather than axial symmetry; and emphasis on proportions and materials rather than arbitrarily applied decoration.” (Harwood, pg. 617) Modernized structures demonstrate simplicity and clean lines, not masked by embellishment. It concentrates on purity of forms such as cubes, cylinders or rectangles. Structurally sound using frames of steel and reinforced concrete, free and open floor plans are likely. Because of this, interior spaces are free flowing and lightly furnished with often moveable partitions. The famous dictum “less is more” is apparent in modernism because, “interiors are created primarily by architects who emphasize function, flexibility, efficiency and practicality. Form and proportion are more important than ornament and decoration are.” (Harwood, pg. 628)

The presences of machines are a major influence on interiors during this period. “Kitchens and baths are models of machine-like efficiency because designers plan them according to principles developed by the new discipline of domestic science or home economics.” (Harwood, pg.629) Majority of these decisions are made in the building of public housing where space is limited.

Pavillon de l'Espirit Nouveau interior by Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret

The Pavillon de l’Espirit Nouveau which is described as a "machine for living in" and compared to similar descriptions of automobiles, suggested that the basis of design for modern living was found in the effectiveness and economy of the workplace rather than in the extravagance and eccentricity of the traditional home or apartment, and relied more upon the skills of the engineer than those of the artist.

[3] From the assigned pages in Roth, Harwood, and Massey, SELECT an image that you believe explodes the notion that Modern interiors and objects were black and white. Fully RENDER your own design exploration of that image through color, material, and light and appropriately annotate and cite the image to prove this point.

The Johnson House interior by Phillip Johnson (Harwood pg. 605)

Although the use of color within this house of glass designed by Phillip Johnson is monochromatic, it's not in black and white. The simplicity of colors compliments the structure of the building itself. With the warm colors and materials, this space seems to be comfortable, until you notice the no privacy part.

rEflections sUmmary: mOre cOnversations

2010-11-12T07:55:00.000-08:00

Kayla McDonagh started her point essay for reflections with reference to a cartwheel. I found this to be extremely true. She says, “First, you start off in a box, meaning you are following the rules. Second, you step out of the box, exploring different possibilities. Third, you turn upside down, breaking the rules. And finally forth, you revert to the box, creating a new set of rules.” It’s a cycle that continues to repeat itself within multiple time periods. There were reflections on the past as well as from other countries. The west began to borrow precedents from the east. A great example of this would be the Royal Pavilion with its obvious exterior influence from the Middle East in India and its Chinese interior influence, also known as chinoiserie.

“The 19^th century was a time in history where design not only blossomed through advancements in production of new materials but also where design struggled to make one solid identity.” (Dajana Nedic) The Industrial Revolution played a major role in the design style and techniques of this reflections time period. With the wider variety of transportation, large and heavy materials could be easily transported to locations bringing the introduction of cast iron, glass and steel.

During this period there was a lot of confusion about what is the right way to do things. What is the “right” design language that everyone should follow? Daniel Salgado explained how this controversy led to designers and architects to this state of mind where the concept was “everything goes.” With the opening of the trade routes the influences were massive.This brought about the World's Fair of 1851 at the Crystal Palace, an exhibition of the world's arts and designs.

Again, these three point essays were very fantastic. Each discussed a new idea and broadened my mind about the reflections period. I can now gain a sense of what it was all about.

Spinning wheel illusion; the cycle of design

Crystal Palace; exhibition of the world

aLternatives sUmmary: mOre cOnversations

2010-11-12T07:23:00.000-08:00

”The alternatives unit was in sense a rebellious one,” Dajana Nedic so very well puts into words. Concentrating on the structures of the Gothic, Renaissance and the Baroque time periods, these buildings were focusing on unity and harmony of architectural details through repetition, geometric patterning and separation of spaces by boundaries. During the Gothic period there was much emphasis on verticality and storytelling through dematerialization of materials, as in the Cathedrals. The Renaissance main focus was the idea of revamping everything. AS for the Baroque period, Daniel Salgado states that “the main goal was to cram everything they knew, into one building and it was mostly in the façade.” This period was recognized for its design experimentations and challenging of authority. Baroque tested the limits of design. Kayla McDonagh touches on how the Baroque period was about replicating real life as done in the theatre and creating optical illusions. It was not until the Renaissance and Baroque periods that pushing these boundaries made a noteworthy statement in design.

Reading these three post has helped me remember some of the things i may have forgotten from the alternatives unit. It was a sort of friendly reminder and i enjoyed all three very much. These three students continue to produce to work that i appreciate and will continue to follow.

Michelangelo's David (maintaining rules)

Bernini's David (Breaking rules)

Point: Reflections

2010-11-08T13:13:00.000-08:00

The reflections unit was concentrated during the period of time after the Renaissance and the time we now know as Modern. It’s described as a diverse adaptation of multiple design styles from across the world, as well as, across time. Few designs have exploded out from the past or previous prototypes, and it’s almost safe to say that nothing that we produce nowadays is new causing a struggle to create and follow one solid design identity. Majority of the time and effort spent is now focused towards bettering ideas and taking them to the next level. Designers have become more interested in the potential of materials and are less focused on tastefulness and refinement.

In class, we discussed a comparison throughout different design cycles. Illustrated by a web graph, the Revolution, a drastic change in ways of thinking and behaving, is positioned in the center and an assortment of subcategories surrounds it. These categories include Renaissance; rebirth, transition, revival of learning and culture, Revival; coming again into activity, Rotation; uniform variation in a sequence, Cycle; a recurring sense of events, a phase, and Reform; a change for the better. Because I’m a visual learner, this illustration helps me to realize how things respond to the past and continue to build upon that. There will always be an inkling of the previous within the present. Attempts to decode and make sense of the cacophony of design languages are near impossible.

Technology has had a major impact on the world of architecture. Now that heavy and not easily transported material can be transported by railways, there’s a rise of mass production and new materials have been extended to cast iron, steel and large pieces of glass. Because of these materials, the bones of structures are improved and sturdier. The use of machines rather than hard hand labor caused an important change in industry. With the introduction of machines capable of performing repetitive tasks, mass production of consumer good started. “The result was a dynamic increase in production and a lowering of production costs, meaning that goods formerly available to only aristocracy became available to the growing middle class and even eventually to the workers themselves.” (Roth, pg. 462) Now it was easier to reproduce any design style and possibly making up your own adding to the design controversy.

During the World’s fair of 1851 at The Crystal Palace an international exhibition of manufactured products was held showcasing the ideas and styles of eastern countries. The silk trade routes were a far-reaching network of trade routes across the Asian continent connecting Asia with the Mediterranean world and Europe. Because of these routes Europeans were able to witness alternate styles to their own and began to develop these approaches and techniques. The Chinese style influence came to be known as chinoiserie. This style is characterized by the use of far-fetched imagery, whimsical contrasts of scale, asymmetry in format and the attempt to imitate Chinese porcelain and lacquer-like materials and decoration. As Roth explained, “one newly fashionable style was Chinese—or more correctly, what eighteenth-century architects and landowners imagined as Chinese.” (pg. 456) This interest in Chinese style lasted through the end of the century leaving behind structures like that of the Pagoda built by Sir William Chambers in Kew Gardens outside London.

Even though England was a major design influence during this period, it did not stop the eastern forces, like China, Japan and Indi, from marking their stamps on the world through the power of the trade routes. After this influential time period where the multiple design styles all meshed together we have no other choice but to press forward and expand, always keeping an eye out on the past.

The World's fair of 1851 at The Crystal Palace was a grand exhibition of international design that started the eastern influence on the west. The reflection of the east on west.

rEading cOmprehension 5...

2010-11-03T14:01:00.000-07:00

1. Here is a mid - to late 19^th century furnace popular in England and in the United States. Although wood-burning fireplaces are still quite common, even today, other forms of heating begin to appear in this century. I believe the emergence of this artifact revolutionized the heating of multiple rooms, which allowed spatial planning to broaden and be more flexible. Instead of having a fireplace in every room, where over half the heat was lost through the chimney and you had to be standing only a few feet away to experience the heat, that space can be used for other purposes. A furnace was more widely used in residential homes with open floor plan arrangements. These heating sources heated quicker and required less fuel.

Harwood, Architecture and Interior Design from the 19^th Century, pg. 21 (1-33)

2. During the nineteenth century a lot of borrowing of ideas was taking place by Europe with China, Japan, India and the Middle East. With the silk trade routes in action the world got a view of an alternate design style and ran with it.

Chinoiserie Corner Cupboard by Chippendale, 1768. Pine, with painted chinoiserie decoration.

Artifact: This artifact shows influences made by the Chinese on the western world referred to as chinoiserie. This influence is expressed clearly in the fine Asian inspired painted garden pattern in green and also the fact that it’s raised off the ground with legs. In earlier times this piece would have sat directly on the ground, but elevating it is a sign of purity. Normally Chinese ornament and decorative forms were found to be useful by furniture makers with the pagoda roof, bamboo framing, and fretwork all being easy on the eye and just as easy to apply on furniture. Chinoiserie type decoration was most often seen in single rooms, usually a female’s bedroom, a dressing room, and occasionally a tea room.

The Royal Pavilion in Brighton, interior

Space: The interior of The Royal Pavilion also shows eastern influence. As trade routes from china become more popular, colorful textiles and surface coverings become more widespread. The design ideas of the eastern world are very fantasy like. This space was designed for entertainment and social gatherings to specifically showcase the wealth and worldliness of the hosts.

The Royal Pavilion is remarkable for its exotic oriental appearance both inside and out (1787-1823)

Building: The Royal Pavilion, also known as the Brighton Pavilion, shows the eastern influence on western design mimicking the Indo-Saracenic style that was widespread in India. The large dome, recessed archways, spires and focus on symmetry are visible in the Pavilion, these being apparent signs of Indian design with Islamic influence.

Responsible for the world's largest collection of living plants is Kew Gardens in London, England. (1759)

Place: Kew Gardens is an ideal example of a western take on Japanese design. With the large pagoda surrounded by a reconstruction of a traditional Japanese garden, man-made water ponds and plant collections, people were able to experience things they wouldn’t normally get to experience. This eastern take on design brought much interest to people of the west. The attention to detail and oneness with nature made these areas idealistic for those who have never been exposed.

Point: Alternatives

2010-10-25T12:50:00.000-07:00

According to dictionary.com the word alternative means employing or following nontraditional or unconventional ideas, methods, etc.; existing outside the establishment. The alternatives unit of History class is best described by this definition because there was a lot of recognition of rules followed by breaking those rules and rebellion. The unit was about testing boundaries and stretching resources and structural systems to their absolute confines in architecture. In other cases it was about exploring all different types of ideas and thoughts and combining them together to form one. Majority of design has to start somewhere since there are places to take inspiration from.

If ever architecture expresses spirituality and worship, it would be during the medieval Gothic time period. Gothic was a form that humbled man and glorified God. Focusing on verticality, this style brought inventive new construction methods that allowed churches, as well as other structures, reach grand heights. Most floor plans resembled that of a cross with the long nave and transepts. Pointed arches supported the roof giving it remarkable strength and stability and allowing the walls to be thinner. Borrowing and expanding on the early Romanesque’s period barrel vault, Gothic architects introduced the technique of ribbed vaulting. Flying buttresses were also introduced to further stabilize these massive structures in this time period.

During the Renaissance, the idea was to give a face-lift to the classicism period while still borrowing from the Gothic. It was in this time when villas and palazzos became more popular among those who could afford them and were focused on comfort and functionality. While the Gothic period was asymmetrical and complex the Renaissance period was about symmetry, careful proportions and geometry as established in classical antiquity. Andrea Palladio, also known as “the most influential architect of the whole Renaissance,” for his most copied from the Villa Capra, professed an original idea where sanctuary, leisure and entertainment were no longer expresses publicly, but privately amongst families. As the Renaissance because more apparent so did its rules. Man is the measure of all things, separation of spaces, harmony through repetition, geometric patterning and no building is just one style are all indicators of this period and emphasize its turning point in history.

A style that was an outcome of the Renaissance would be the Baroque period. Rules that were indicative of this period could be fluidity, challenging authority, lack of boundaries, testing limits, innovative and theatrical. The best comparison to use when discussing the Renaissance period and the Baroque period would be the two David’s; Michelangelo’s and Bernini’s. The statue of David by Michelangelo is a common ancient Greek theme of the eminent heroic male nude. The figure stands with one leg experiencing its entire weight with the other leg relaxed. The proportions are said to follow the classical proportion of scale. On the other hand, Bernini’s statue of David is a three-dimensional work that challenges viewers to walk around it and experience it from all aspects. This challenges most Renaissance statues which were strictly frontal and meant to be viewed from one side only. Bernini’s statue was an example of thinking outside the box, breaking boundaries, it showed movement and liveliness.

While Gothic and the start of the Renaissance time periods stayed focused on classicism and revamp the alternatives were not truly seen until the later of the Renaissance and the start of the Baroque period. Emphasis and creativity of design were more widespread throughout these times when people were not afraid of the consequences of not following the rules.

image can be found here.

I chose this image because although specific directions and ideas are pointed out to us, it does not mean we're forced to follow those predestined paths. Creativity cannot be contained by rules. The main rule to remember is, there are no rules.

rEading cOmprehension 4...

2010-10-18T13:43:00.000-07:00

-- 1. Although each of the artifacts given are evidently different, there are also visible similarities within them all. The complexity and sophistication of details that are effortlessly seen represent not only the level of taste acquired by the owner but the amount of wealth also. This group of items characterizes symmetry on the y-axis because if folded in half vertically the two balanced halves would be identical. Noticeably, there is a large amount of repetition in the details, as well as, containments and geometric boundaries. Unmistakably, there is a sense of fluidity within these artifacts with their curved lines.

Spaces are designed to represent the differences in wealth, class or tastes. However, instead of discussing the differences between these particular spaces I’ll talk about the similarities. All five of these spaces make a dynamic statement in one way or another. This is accomplished by either using extravagant patterns to make vivacious textures and transitions from the walls, furniture or ceiling, like the Holkam Hall, or, as seen in Gunston Hall, singling out a particular design element and taking it beyond function to turn it into a statement. There is also a clear balance through repetition among these spaces. Specific visual elements and design elements which are repeated throughout help to achieve this. Large levels of contrast from dark to light are evident, in addition to, compartmentalization of definite features.

Buildings tell stories using their facades, choice of colors and design elements. These buildings in particular focus more on symmetry and geometry rather than how pretty they can look. Contrast, plus hierarchy, is evident by using darker and lighter colored materials. Color seems to be an important aspect in the language used because the repeating elements are all of similar colors. There is also contrast shown between the voids between columns or windows and the solids of the buildings walls. The entry ways are embellished to emphasize the centralized axis of these structures. The symmetrical balance of these arrangements creates a sense of harmony and lucidity.

Although the locations of all these artifacts, spaces, buildings and places differ, there’s one idea that remains the same, as Augustin Charles D’Aviler described in Roth, “those architects [who] consider their caprices to be ingenious inventions, and say that it is an error to constrain oneself by the rules, when one can make new ones,” (Roth; p. 397) the rules of ancient architecture have been recognized, and ignored.

-- 2. During the Noe-Palladian and Late Georgian periods the focus was on monumental proportions. They weren’t interested in straying much from the rules of classicism, but re-interpreting them. Within their structures it was not uncommon to see classical details such as ornamentation and certain types of materials in rich finishes. The focus was on structure and aesthetics as a couple. The Louis XVI and French Provincial periods were more about mathematical proportions and coherent arrangement. This brought more stability, minimal ornamentation on facades and precision. Emphasized toward the peasants and bourgeoisie located in rural areas, the French Provincial period in particular focused on local tastes and traditions in the architecture.

To me it would only make sense that the early American colonies copied designs from their founding countries in Europe. Architecture has a lot to do with starting with a foundation, or a prototype, and evolving it into something new and different. Europe was the prototype for the American colonies. They started with what knowledge they had, what they’ve already experienced, and built upon it to reflect their new society. The reoccurring design elements and principles were maintained; symmetry, repetition, contrast, lines, centrality, proportion, etc., but the use of materials changed as well as the stories told. Roth explained well how new social orders partake in the design realm by saying, “first, as in any period of artistic creativity in which the goal is to achieve a state of stasis, once that goal is reached, a reaction sets in.” (p.398) There’s always an attempt to perfect architectural character.

-- 3. Palladian villas were majorly based on symmetry and proportion. There was a reason why certain rooms were specific sizes. In a typical villa the rooms had a square or rectangular plan equal to either 1 1/3, 1 1/2 or 1 2/3 squares or at most 2 squares. They possessed a central vertical axis, a cube-like area capped with a dome over the center, a round salon and identical temple porches on all four sides. However, based off the music provided it made me think slightly differently. In my head I saw this villa without a dome and with two main entry ways rather than the four. The music to me sounded structural and not very free-flowing, so the movement throughout is slightly more linear, depending where you stand.

-- 4. The style of architecture in the Baroque time period can be described as an outlet for creativity to be seen by the masses, the breaking of limits, fluid and theatrical. In acting, the stage is used to captivate the audiences with what seems to be a perfect reflection of life. It encompasses the ideas of the ideal and reflects it back to society. Baroque theater evolved all art forms and meshed them together to become a unified whole to grant a multimedia experience to the spectators. All of these ideas about the theater can be spotted within the architecture of this period. The idea of one extravagantly decorated façade, as we talked about in class discussion, is similar to face paint or make-up used in performances on stage. Gathering different types of ancient architectural elements and ideas and fusing them together to create an entirely new idea was what it was all about during this time, acknowledging the rules then breaking them. How can you deny that the Baroque period stands as a form of social performance in the theater of the world when theatrum mundi, or “the world is a stage,” became the motto for the age. In Roth he described how “in baroque architecture and art, the line between three-dimensional reality and mystical illusion was increasingly blurred.” (p.404) Throughout this time architecture was about optical illusions and visual games, thinking outside of the box and straying away from tradition.

Point: Foundations

2010-10-06T13:39:00.000-07:00

Foundations are the basis and groundwork for all structures. They are the prepared base in which most structures rest on, an establishment. Without a strong, sturdy foundation objects would deteriorate and fall apart. Our foundations unit started with the early settlements of Mesopotamia, China, the Ohio Valley and Teotihuacan. Here we saw the advancement from horizontal lines moving across the land, to circles and then to stacking as different styles of getting an important point across. From these representations the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece and Rome adopted and supplied us with majority of the archetypes, prototypes and hybrids of foundations. They took these previous ideas and built upon them turning them into their own, advanced ideas.

To start, Egypt implemented the idea of the stacking concept in their tombs for the kings. Giant stones stacked and stacked on top of each other to unbelievable heights were uncalled of within this time period. The amount of exertion it would have taken is unthinkable. There are a few theories to how this came about but, without direct proof, all we can do is speculate. The Egyptian pyramids advanced our explorations of the horizontal and vertical axes. In ancient times it was believed that the world was square rather than the spherical shape we know it to be today. The golden tip resting on the top of the pyramids were meant to absorb the light from the sun and disperse it through the base to horizontally reach the four corners of the Earth. The vertical aspect was height used to relate earth and its people to the Gods. The higher a structure was, the closer the buried was thought to be to God. There was also a difference in gender roles shown in Egypt, as with the Pyramids of Giza versus the Temple Hatshepsut. The Pyramids of Giza were quite large and stood out against its surroundings with its white limestone covered shell and colorful hieroglyphics. Hatshepsut’s temple, on the other hand, blended into a Cliffside and was structurally horizontal.

Greece used Egypt as it’s prototype for design. The Egyptians started with a papyrus column and the Greeks further developed that idea ending up with the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns. They also incorporated the stacking concept when building the columns, which were made up of smaller pieces of stone stacked on top of each other. Their temples focused more on the Gods and Goddesses they worshipped but the gender roles were not so definite. Take the Parthenon in the Acropolis, a temple built for the goddess Athena, which is more dominant than the other temples surrounding it. The Greeks also moved more toward a-symmetrical axis design. Although the Greeks did borrow ideas from the ancient Egyptians, they built upon those thoughts and took from real to ideal.

Rome took us for a bit of a loop. Making use of the designs from the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, they spun in a different direction to move forward. Rome’s daily life was focused on the people. Instead of using the lessons learned about stacking and columns for structural purposes, they merely threw all aspects into one using the columns as more of a visual aid. They incorporated the stacking concept but further produced it using arches, which made the composition more structurally sound. Using these new developments they produced the mega-structure we know as the Coliseum. Again we see a representation of gender roles in Rome with the Wu-Wu, the male depiction, and the Arch, the female depiction. By having these architectural elements to refer to from the past, the Romans have helped to build upon this strong foundation system we have to refer to today.

In present times, we still continue to see the advancements of these aspects and elements of design made by the ancient Egyptians, Grecians and Romans. The only direction to move in now is forward. Foundations aren’t left behind; they are picked up and carried with us along the way.

rEading cOmprehension 3...

2010-10-01T13:40:00.000-07:00

1. A- Inside/Outside (Cologne vs. Salisbury); The Cologne Cathedral and the Salisbury Cathedral have extremely similar interiors but differ on the outside. They were both based on the Basilica form borrowed from the Romans and most commonly had a ground plan of the Jewish cross, with the long nave. This form serves as functional because it allows the building to be divided into sections where different activities can take place, or that are occupied by different people, such as the clergy, the choir and the laity. It also served the purpose to perform the initiation process of faith.
The Salisbury Cathedral’s exterior’s facade is wider and shorter than that of the Cologne Cathedral. England concentrated on more the balance of verticality and horizontality, even though the structure still made a huge statement to the people. The flying buttresses of Salisbury were smaller in size because there was less weight to counter. While at Salisbury the attention was more grounded, at The Cologne Cathedral the Germans concentrated on slender verticality because of its urban location and reaching high to the heavens to show religious superiority. Having two spires at the entrance verses the one in Salisbury accentuates the importance of receiving God by having these clearly indicate the entrance.
These two structures differ externally because although the religious beliefs and practices are similar, the depictions of their faiths are different. Location also has an effect. Salisbury is more of a rural area. With the presence of its outside court it implies more concentration on prayer and being one with God through rumination. Cologne concentrates more on how high you can get physically to the Heavens and shows of the vertical height.

B- Composition (Cologne vs. Amiens); In my opinion there are differences between a one-tower and two-tower cathedral. Normally, two-tower cathedrals have them situated in the front which is logical if the point is to direct people into the Christianity faith. They act as giant arrows pointing down saying “Enter Here”. They also serve multiple purposes. The towers hold bells that announce special events and ceremonies and possess windows to reflect light for a mystifying experience.

C- Symbol (Cologne vs. Florence); Florence’s Duomo symbolically aids an understanding of the rebirth of antiquity because of its massive dome. The largest dome since the Pantheon, it represented the similar engineering power as the Romans. They not only accomplished the structure of the antiquity dome but went above and beyond pushing the human potential beyond means.
The Cologne Cathedral symbolizes the idea of heaven on earth. The stained glass windows filter sparkling, diffused light into the inside. The infinite height brings a feeling of lightness and contentment. It forms the perfect location to reflect your connection between this world and the next.
The meanings of both cathedrals are designed to motivate the people’s faith and beliefs. The Duomo further concentrates on human potential and pushing beyond all means, while Cologne is meant to keep focus on a close relationship with God and acceptance into the next life or heaven. The materials used on the interior are very similar in that both contain the clerestory and stained glass windows to filter light into the space as well as the barrel vault. The Duomo strayed away from the heavy stone and implemented the brick, especially for use on the roof, being that brick is lighter.
As for the people of the environment, I do believe they laid their symbols upon the Cologne Cathedral. However, because this structure has been maintained over a long period of time, these symbols may no longer be present or have been altered in some shape or form.

2. The domestic, medieval interior was usually a setting where people enjoyed tranquility and prosperity. The woman in the picture seems to be located in the kitchen. The kitchen was typically a detached building from the main home in either a square or rectangular shape. It was connected with the hall by a passage. Commonly located on the ground floor, the kitchen was very distinctive as a safety measure against fires. The ceiling was usually vaulted to further protect against fires. Within the space were stoves and ovens, a table and three-legged stools. Everything necessary for use in the kitchen was available on the spot.

rEading cOmprehension 2

2010-09-15T13:01:00.000-07:00

[1] --In my opinion Hersey made quite a few valid points. Ideas usually feed off of things that have already been done, they’re just tweaked. To say that the temples were built from the idea of sacrificing and offering makes a lot of sense. Specific trees were made to represent specific Gods and the offerings were placed at that particular tree. Once the temples were built, they were used for the same thing. When Hersey said that the columns resemble people I made the connection almost immediately. The rings around the bottom which represent the bound feet, the fluted shafts which represent the blood vessels and veins, it is all true. Then there’s the capital that symbolizes the head. The Greeks believed in asymmetry and things being natural, I feel that they piggy backed off of nature when it came to the ideas for the temples.

[2] --In my opinion to avoid such a blunder as mis-reading when you use the internet as your major information source would be to cross reference the information you come across. Cross reference with other official websites like .orgs or .nets or even .govs. As a finishing point, refer to a book to verify the information. I would suggest starting off in a book but since we’re discussing the internet those would be my suggestions. I feel that the interpretation of images alone depends on your own individual personality. I can view a picture and my interpretation of it can be completely different from someone else’s. Think about if all record of our world today was lost and 3000 years later the inhabitants come across a single photo of the past. Depending on the imagination of the finder, the story could be either very extravagant or quite boring.

[3] --Hatshepsut was a female and that in itself was a difference of opinion shown. Not only did she stand out during her rule but she also stood out after. Instead of the typical large stacked pyramid covered in limestone and topped with gold, Hatshepsut was a part of the design that was unique to the eye and in meaning. The temple of this pharaoh was built into the mountain side and blended in because of the material and color. You wouldn’t know it was there if you didn’t already know. It was stacked but not anywhere near as high as those of the males’ temples. Her tomb was open to the high priest and had a very clear way of entrance. The pyramids had hidden entrances to keep others out. I believe because she was a female her way of thinking was completely different from other pharaohs. It wasn’t about standing out and having all the power, but more about bettering the people and being a respected ruler.

[4] --Egyptian life was focused around the Nile for survival. They knew their land and were able to live well off of it. Often, the river would flood so the Egyptians knew exactly when to plant what crops to produce. On the other side they were surrounded by desert and cliffs. Because specific materials such as limestone were so abundant of course this is what they used for building materials. Egypt was a polytheistic culture and also believed in the afterlife. Their architecture of the Pyramids of Giza made it evident that their lives are focused on getting closer to the heavens and because they believed in the afterlife, they felt they had multiple lifetimes to achieve the ideal. These temples were not made to be entered by just anyone. ON the other hand we have to Parthenon in the Acropolis. Greece was a water based empire. They relied heavily on the importing and exporting of goods. The Greeks were more exploratory with their architecture. They expanded upon Egyptian ideas and altered them to achieve the ideal. Although the Greeks were also a polytheistic culture they did not believe in the afterlife. The way they saw it was things came to an end. They were not afraid to take architectural risks. Like the Pyramids, the Parthenon was larger than the other temples around it showing the representation of power or significance. The Parthenon was meant for the public with its open columns.

[5] --Egyptian tombs are meant to be seen, that’s why they were built in such a large scale. They were supposed to show the power that the individual buried there possessed. Egyptian furniture, however, was built lightweight to make the process of it carrying over to the afterlife easier, theoretically. Just as body organs, jewels and other meaningful things were buried within the tomb with its owner, furniture was also considered precious items that should be carried on.

[6]--From viewing these two images I conclude that within the Grecian society males held more power than females. Notice that the male sits on the thrown as the females seem to be catering to him. Also, I noticed how around the top rim of one the urns the headdress made of leaves is painted and from my experience I’ve usually always seen males with these on. As I’ve mentioned before I believe that the interpretations of these will be different depending on the person. It’s hard to determine how valid information is if there’s only a picture to go off of. I may think that men dominate over females from viewing the picture of the urns but in reality the man is the slave and the women are maybe getting prepared to harm him.

Point: Theories

2010-09-07T17:44:00.000-07:00

So far, throughout the semester we’ve discussed multiple themes in class. The ones that have stood out to me the most are the powers of three. We’ve discussed multiple theories of viewing architecture using this idea of “the Power of Three” such as Jules David Prown’s; “artifact” (description, deduction and speculation) and Dick Hebdige’s; double meaning, map of meaning and subculture, as well as Roland Barthes’; semiotics, ideologies and signs. To me however, Vitruvius’ Commodity, Firmness and Delight are the three I can best understand.
Although, since the 18th century commodity, firmness and delight have, I’m sure, changed meanings or the meanings have been broadened, what I took from this lesson was this: commodity refers to the function of the architecture. Does it fit the purpose intended, not saying that there has to be one overall purpose for something? Does the space or artifact function well? Have the ides clearly been conveyed within this space or within this artifact? For firmness, this refers to structure. Is the structure of the space or object built well? Is the frame functional and safe? This is sort of the bones of the operation, the inner arrangement. Finally we have delight which is different for every person discussing this. There may be some similarities but all in all it will be different. Is the structure of the object esthetically pleasing? Is it enjoyable and pleasant? Does it give you that warm, fuzzy feeling on the inside? This is a personal and internal decision. Architecture is built for people, If it’s not enjoyed it’s almost like a waste of time and resources.
An object to me that I feel satisfies commodity, firmness and delight is this cardboard chair called “the wiggle chair” designed by Frank Gehyr. It’s made of corrugated cardboard and although I have not sat upon it, so the delight actually might not be there, I still find it very appealing. After reading a little about it they say it’s quite soft to the touch and very stable. This chair reminds me of one built by a classmate of mine Corry Mears last semester. I have sat on his chair and found it to be an interesting experience. I cannot compare the two because, again, I haven’t sat on the Gehyr chair but it helps give me a general idea.

As I lay in my bed at night I can’t help but to think back when we learned about the aedicule. This has been a concept that’s stayed with me since it was first introduced a few years back. I truly believe that all basic forms of architecture started with this simple design of four columns and a roof. To take a turn, I also believe that three columns could be just a sturdy if we refer back to the powers of three. So far history and theories has introduced new ideas to me about architecture. Its one thing to see architecture through your own eyes but to be able to view it through a multiple of others is amazing.

http://hubpages.com/hub/the-art-of-recycled-furniture; 2010

rEading cOmprehension 1...

2010-08-31T19:19:00.000-07:00

[1] -- I feel that a ceiling fan meets Wotton’s definition of commodity, firmness and delight. It fulfills commodity because its purpose is to cool off a person or provide a breeze for someone indoors or who’s just plain hot. With its slanted blades moving in a circular motion it forms a refreshing gentle wind for those without air conditioning or something light for those warm summer nights. The unit fulfills firmness because the structure is well thought out and sturdy. The fan is able to spin at slow and faster speeds without flying away or falling apart. It fulfills delight because on hot summer days and even warm summer nights the draft provides and enjoyable alternative to having to sit and hear the loud air conditioning to cool down.

[2] --

[3] --I agree that the U.S. generally does feel the need for more space so when it comes to our very own classroom some problems arise. The largest issue is of the seats being so close together or us having to sit so close together. At times there’s competition over the arm rest, someone with both arms on the rests to either side of them causes an inconvenience or an issue when personal space comes into play. Bumping elbows and legs is not comfortable. Our attitude towards space is the more the merrier. If the room was more crowded there would be the issue of walking up and down the aisles or having to pass someone to get from the middle of the row. People tend to go above and beyond to avoid simply brushing up against someone else.

[4]--I’m not sure if I completely understood the reading but I do believe there can be architecture of happiness. In the reading de Botton write; “Architecture may well possess moral messages; it simply has no power to enforce them. It offers suggestions instead of making laws. It invites, rather than orders, us to emulate its spirit and cannot prevent its own abuse.” I think architecture of happiness is in the eyes of the beholder. A home can be an extremely happy place for the person who lives there but may not have the same effect on someone visiting the same home. Here’s an image of my bedroom which to me is a very happy place. It’s where I go to relax and take in the events of the day. Being in someone else’s room does not have the same effect because it’s not your personal space. It’s laid out to where I can see the television as I lay in my bed. My work area is set aside so that there are not many distractions. The pictures on the walls provide a visually pleasing element to ease the mind. It’s where I feel comfortable and safe.

rEflection... (what I learned from others)

2010-05-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

As much as I’ve learned about myself during this project, I’ve also learned from others. It’s always exciting to see how other people interpret the same space and information you had, where they get their inspirations and ideas. Most people who had the loading dock space chose to do a loft type area mostly for the living or sleeping space. This made a lot of sense because the space was very tall and this helped save floor space. If I would have had the same space I would have chosen to do the same. With that being said, it was more interesting to me to see the ideas for the administration space. Like Kacie’s proposal with the sliding glass doors. Where the bathroom was the central area and the glass doors slid to either close off other spaces or open them up, but with the glass that open feeling remained. I really enjoyed that and that was something I wouldn’t have thought of. It was tough to make the space adequate for your own artist/client as well as keeping it neutral enough where if someone else came to stay it could be easily changed or suited for that person. I think I’ve learned a little bit of everything from everyone else who presented. I’m not sure if I can name all those things right now, but I know they’ll start to show in my work from now on.

rEflection... (what I learned about myself)

2010-05-02T14:31:00.000-07:00

The time has come to reflect on this final project I just finished. I’ve definitely learned some of my strengths and weaknesses. When first assigned the work, I was already nervous. We had to take measurements and draw a plan from them. Might not sound that hard, but it was crazy. One wrong measurement and your whole plan would be off. As the process progressed however it got a bit easier. I learned that perspectives are really a strength for me. I’ve always enjoyed drawing them and seeing how closely the finish product resembles the space. In this case it was seeing if the finished product was what I saw in my head because this was my personal design. A weakness I’d have to say would be laying out my board. I don’t think I put as much thought into it as I should have and it caused problems for me in the end. I’ve never had to do a project quite like this where everything was up to me. The color scheme, furniture placement, wall placements and deciding the size of things was all my ideas and visions. I’ve learned a few things about what can work in a space and what can’t. Like bathrooms don’t need to be huge in a small space, you only spend a small fraction of the day in it. Add necessities and be done. I also learned a lot you can do with concrete. Stain it and paint it, it doesn’t have to remain in its normal state. Overall, I really enjoyed this project. I absolutely feel that I’ve grown from this experience as a designer and as an artist. I’d be more confident going into another project similar to this one.

Redesigned space for Stoel...

2010-04-30T10:47:00.000-07:00

For our final we were assigned a space within our building and was asked to redesign it for a visiting artist. The time frame was from about a few days to a semester, so not a lot was necessary, or so I thought. Although this space was for a specific person, it still had to be able to accommodate all types of artists and people, be versatile. I was assigned the administration building. The hardest part was taking the measurements in the space in a short amount of time because these are the admin offices, you can't just wonder in because you forgot something. So pictures were helpful..

After that we had to draw our technical drawings; floor plan and section elevations. After we planned out our ideas and plans, we had to build the model in sketch-up. That was the longest process because it was first time using it and I had to restart like 3 times, but overall I think it turned out great. It feels good to know that these are my ideas that other people can see visually. I can walk them through it with sketch-up and my hand drawn perspectives. I chose the furniture placement, room separations and color scheme. That feels GREAT to say. Overall I'm very proud of myself and the work I've done. Of course there were things that could have been changed or improved on, but there will always be changes to be made, I think.

Finished products:

A few things I might have done better would have definitely been the layout of the board. I feel like it could have flowed a lot better to make it more understandable to someone who's not apart of the major. A super graphic would have also been more creative. And also to record more of my progress. I always remember that I should have taken pictures and stuff after the fact. I don't take care of my first attempts at things, and that's if I keep up with them. I'm trying to get to the point where taking pictures and blogging because a part of the process as a whole, not an after-the-fact type of thing.

As the end of the semester approaches I can now reflect on my work and the progress I've made throughout my first year. I'm eager to see what next year brings and to put forth the improvements I've made.

sCavenger hUnt cLues 5-7.. Pick a car, redesign and add more style

2010-04-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

SOoOoo.. this is my car.. resemble anyone?? haha.. I wanted to have fun with this assignment, so instead of just doing a simple "pimp my ride" type of car, i decided to turn it into one of my professors. The colors didn't come out the way i planned for them to but overall i'm happy with it. I hope he doesn't take this the wrong way, it's all in fun :-) This concludes my first year of Iarc..

tHe nExt cLue in tHe sCavenger hUnt..

2010-04-27T00:41:00.001-07:00

OMG.. it was like a flashback of the sticks and cell phones nightmare from last semester!! haha.. but less.. We used the exercise to get inspiration. Out of a minimum of 25 thumbnails we chose 3 to be included into a perspective of a comfortable reading nook. I included mine as a painting on the wall and on some storage boxes. After drawing the perspective we had to copy it 3 time, choose ONLY 4 marker colors and render them using different proportions of each in each drawing ( i hope that makes sense :-o) but i enjoyed this assignment very much. I'm still trying to get the hang of this using color thing, it's not as easy as it looks to me. But in time, i'll be a pro..

ooOoh nOOooo!! you know what i just realized.. no scale figure :-/ CRAP

sCavenger hUnt..

2010-04-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

The first part of the hunt was to draw two spaces that tell a story..

My first story is from back when i first started here at UNCG. Most of my time was spent in the Atrium and in the EUC (student center). I drew the upstairs in the EUC because that table to the far left was the table i spent most of my lunch times at with my friends. It's a significant place to me because a lot of stories, gossip and information was shared in that spot and it's hard to forget that.

Now, it's more about where i've ended up. I stay in Spring Garden Apartments (no stalkers please) right on the edge of campus. This is the outdoor space that's provided for us. I spend quite a bit of time out here just to clear my head and search for inspiration. It's pretty open even though it's in the center of the "U" shaped building.

FIiELD TRiP!! WoOOoo HoOOoo....

2010-04-16T13:08:00.001-07:00

SOoo.... over the weekend we went to Monticello by Thomas Jefferson in Charlottesville, VA and Bear Run, PA to see FALLiNG WATER by Frank Lloyd Wright.. Seeing T.J.'s Monticello was fun but..... I've been wanting to see Falling Water for YEARS, so it was something like a dream come true :-)It was AMAZiNG!! Of course being an interior architecture student, i sketch.. so here's a few i came up with. They were done relatively fast, which is not how i usually work, but I'm proud of them...

That's a profile of Justin M.on the right.. hehe..

On the bus when we were coming back Patrick mentioned that Falling Water looked like open drawers on a dresser.. i took inspiration from that and tried to make it actually look that way.. here's the attempt..

2010-04-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

My perspective of the fountain for extra credit.. None of the colors wanted to come out right for me :-( doesn't look the best, but it just motivates me to want to do a lot better!! RENDERiNG iS HARD!!

12 tHumbnails of Mossman..

2010-02-26T16:37:00.000-08:00

Being the somewhat perfectionist that i am, really quick drawing comes a bit difficult for me. We weren't supposed to spend more than like 10 minutes on each thumbnails (which are only 2x3"). Proportions are a huge issue when drawing at a insanely small scale.

aRchitectural dEtaiLs..

2010-02-26T16:31:00.000-08:00

These are five architectural details on a two-page spread of the Gatewood building and of my apartment complex. Floor to ceiling windows complimented with a large pillar, a sort of grid designed ceiling, a sculpture like piece made of wood and recessed lighting.

fiELd oF LiGht..

2010-02-26T16:20:00.000-08:00

Concentrating on paths of light, we chose a window in studio to build a structure of some sort that would deliver two different experiences of light. I immediately thought back to grade school when i made a telescope out of cardboard and mirrors, since our main material was to be cardboard, i thought i could kind of recreate that idea. Of course i realized that the whole mirrors idea was making things a lot more complicated than they needed to be, so i tossed that. My creation was simple but effective, just not from every angle like i anticipated it to be, depending on the strength of light at least. Ultimately i was pleased and i received positive feedback.

Here's my structure at night:

And the full effect of the structure with light:

Burj Al Arab, Dubai

2010-02-26T16:12:00.000-08:00

We're concentrating on context and layouts. I chose my architectural detail from a hotel in Dubai, sort of a modern column. Within this layout there are four different pictures all pertaining to the same detail. I didn't do too well at tying it all together, so i don't know how easy or difficult it is to understand. But included is a fountain, the columns, a border of the knot detail located on top of the columns and the view up from the grand lobby, a blend of colors.

tHree viGnettes.. weLL.. tWo

2010-02-26T16:04:00.000-08:00

The assignment was to draw three vignettes (small scenes) of people interacting with an object to show motion and scale. I did my three, but one, didn't make it to my blog, not yet at least. I plan to try again with three more. (people and skin tones are still not my strong point)

aCcessories, aCCeSSoriEs, ACCESSORIES!!

2010-02-26T15:58:00.000-08:00

Choose 3 classmates and draw then watercolor their accessories, i was told. This to me was a fun activity and i'm very pleased with the outcome. The "hand of gold", the necklace of charm and the upside down side of a friends face, complete with the fly bifocals :-)

bLind and LiNe cOntours...

2010-02-26T15:53:00.000-08:00

I dont' really know what to say about these :-) the blind contour, looks like it's supposed to, a big ol mess. The line contour, not so much, but the watercoloring ,was fun!!