MEDITATION/CELEBRATION-Our focal point for studio and drafting has been the sacred space project. The teachers made it clear that they wanted room to be a space of meditation and celebration, these are somewhat contradictory words when thinking of a meditation space I think of colors and materials that release a calm feeling. Celebration is about showcasing something
LIGHT/SHADOW light and shadow are important to design. In drawing we work with lights and shadows to show depth. Our windows transformed light either letting it pass through or holding it in. In old cathedrals stained glass was used to let only a certain amount of light into the space. This was used to create a calm and heavenly experience for the congregation.
TRANSPOSE/JUXTAPOSE
LITERAL/ABSTRACT Often in design designers fight a battle between being literal and being abstract. It is more common in design to be abstract versus being literal. We look for ways to express our ideas through materials and products along with accessories. In history buildings are often built to portray what they are about. The picture below is the
MONOLOUGE/DIALOGUe we have learned that dialoge between projects is important in design. What you create for a space should “talk” to the other objects and materials in your design to create a story.
Summary
Showing posts with label The Opus Project. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Opus Project. Show all posts
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Action verbs
Speculate
To speculate is to come up with an idea about something without having evident proof. Often in design and architecture as well as art we speculate about what the designer, architect or artist has done and the reasons for their work. It is human nature to speculate or question how or why people create. In Philip Johnson’s Glass House he creates privacy with a cylinder that houses the fireplace and bathroom. People speculated his theory behind this abstract idea.
Compose-suzannes drawing
"Composition mush be good first, but it must be beautiful as well."(Roth 501)The idea of composing something is that way you put it together. This can have a good or bad effect on the work you are doing given the way you place your information. In Suzanne’s drawing class we have been working on our graphics from either Fallingwater or Monticello. The way we compose our perspectives, elevations and floor plans depends on hierarchy and what we feel is the most import part to convey. Our window project was a major project of the week and the way each person chose to fill their composition was factor to be considered. I chose to fill the whole window so it looked complete and purposeful. When we were working with our fairytales we composed a story board shown below.
Energize-window project
The Oxford American Dictionary defines energize as the action of “giving vitality and enthusiasm to.” Stoel and Suzanne encouraged us as we were working with our window projects to make them 3-D. The purpose of this is so that your work has energy and is aesthetically more interesting to look at versus if the projects were flat. When drawing and using media it is important to add lights and shadows to your work because it energizes your drawing by making them pop off the page and look real. In history architects and designers have given buildings energy by adding details to attract the eye, also by lines in their work
Shape
"How [do] we shape and experience our structured spaces?"(Roth 57)In history we learn how architecture and design can shape the world around it. Design is to be aesthetically pleasing and to enhance a space. Designs are found throughout the world whether it be architecture, interiors, artwork or a number of other things. These make the world beautiful and more interesting.
Stretch
I feel that in our window projects this week we were pushed by our professors to stretch the MDF to fit the window. They wanted to see us utilize all the space we were given. By cutting the material and then creating a good composition I learned that you can successfully stretch a design. Often when designers think we tend to stretch our minds as far as we can to think differently as Paula Carr encouraged in her presentation a while back. In Suzanne’s class we learned to stretch our thinking of a presentation board. With the graphic project we steered away from the normal board presentation to a board where you get the feel of your space. In history buildings were stretched upward for reasons of space and delight, these buildings are called skyscrapers. In history "Brunelleschi 's desire to stretch human limits and to match the building achievements of the ancients was boldly exemplified..."(Roth 357) in his work.
Summary
The idea this week was about reflecting on your own work and what you need to think about as you do. Speculating what you can improve on in design. We compose spaces and buildings that attract people and bring them to a different place. In any piece of work you can energize it by using bolder colors or giving it more depth. Using the idea of shape and stretch you can transform your design into something different.
To speculate is to come up with an idea about something without having evident proof. Often in design and architecture as well as art we speculate about what the designer, architect or artist has done and the reasons for their work. It is human nature to speculate or question how or why people create. In Philip Johnson’s Glass House he creates privacy with a cylinder that houses the fireplace and bathroom. People speculated his theory behind this abstract idea.
Compose-suzannes drawing
"Composition mush be good first, but it must be beautiful as well."(Roth 501)The idea of composing something is that way you put it together. This can have a good or bad effect on the work you are doing given the way you place your information. In Suzanne’s drawing class we have been working on our graphics from either Fallingwater or Monticello. The way we compose our perspectives, elevations and floor plans depends on hierarchy and what we feel is the most import part to convey. Our window project was a major project of the week and the way each person chose to fill their composition was factor to be considered. I chose to fill the whole window so it looked complete and purposeful. When we were working with our fairytales we composed a story board shown below.
Energize-window project
The Oxford American Dictionary defines energize as the action of “giving vitality and enthusiasm to.” Stoel and Suzanne encouraged us as we were working with our window projects to make them 3-D. The purpose of this is so that your work has energy and is aesthetically more interesting to look at versus if the projects were flat. When drawing and using media it is important to add lights and shadows to your work because it energizes your drawing by making them pop off the page and look real. In history architects and designers have given buildings energy by adding details to attract the eye, also by lines in their work
Shape
"How [do] we shape and experience our structured spaces?"(Roth 57)In history we learn how architecture and design can shape the world around it. Design is to be aesthetically pleasing and to enhance a space. Designs are found throughout the world whether it be architecture, interiors, artwork or a number of other things. These make the world beautiful and more interesting.
Stretch
I feel that in our window projects this week we were pushed by our professors to stretch the MDF to fit the window. They wanted to see us utilize all the space we were given. By cutting the material and then creating a good composition I learned that you can successfully stretch a design. Often when designers think we tend to stretch our minds as far as we can to think differently as Paula Carr encouraged in her presentation a while back. In Suzanne’s class we learned to stretch our thinking of a presentation board. With the graphic project we steered away from the normal board presentation to a board where you get the feel of your space. In history buildings were stretched upward for reasons of space and delight, these buildings are called skyscrapers. In history "Brunelleschi 's desire to stretch human limits and to match the building achievements of the ancients was boldly exemplified..."(Roth 357) in his work.
Summary
The idea this week was about reflecting on your own work and what you need to think about as you do. Speculating what you can improve on in design. We compose spaces and buildings that attract people and bring them to a different place. In any piece of work you can energize it by using bolder colors or giving it more depth. Using the idea of shape and stretch you can transform your design into something different.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Road Trip
Roots
Roots are the foundations of something, where it comes from. We visited Fallingwater and Monticello and as we explored the houses it was apparent that both houses roots came from reflection on past architectural designs. When designing it is important to go back to the roots of all material you are planning to use and any design details that you want to incorporate. The reason for this is so that you know all you can about the design, this will impress your client and help you get the job. In the nineteenth century during the Eclecticism period “…the architectural building forms themselves were overwhelmingly determined by historical precedent. “(Roth 469) The Glass House created by Philip Johnson looked back to The Farnsworth House by Mies Van der Rohe for roots on glass houses and was greatly influenced by work.
Congruence
Congruence is an agreement between two or more things. In design it is necessary that everything you do be congruent with one another so that your design is unified. In Suzanne’s drawing class we are working on a graphic of either Monticello or Falling water. In these graphics we must choose a super graphic that will unify the drawings for mine I chose to do trees. Charles Francis Annesley Voysey’s house shows congruence between materials that made the end product work. “The walls were build of solid rubble stone, carefully dressed only at the windows and doors, with the broad surfaces covered with rough stucco painted white. The result was a traditional design rendered with abstract clarity.”(Roth 494)
Concept
A concept is an idea that you have. Concepts are especially important to design. Coming up with a concept is the first step in the design process. Often concepts are unique and give the viewer an abstract way of seeing the design. Often in history concepts were created for example “At the turn of the eighteenth century ,one new building type that appeared was the factory.” (Roth 486) The factory was a concept that was a turn in manual labor.
Materiality
Materials are important to any design project. Finding the right materials can enhance a design. It is important to explore materials to find the one that best suits your design. This week in studio we were given three materials and we had to do research on them to figure the cost, origin and uses of the material. We then made them into the 11X17 graphics shown below. In the nineteenth century “…there were epochal changes in the creation of new building types hat exploited new building materials…”(Roth 469) When Joseph Paxton created the Crystal Palace “…he created a transparent building without visual limits.”(Roth 487)
Compression: Release
Compression is when something is compacted. In history when a style was used for many buildings over a period of time this could be considered compression. When a new style comes and the old is no longer used as much this is release or letting go of a style. Often in design styles change and the idea of what looks good is drastically different. This would be an example of compression and relase.
Summary
This week has been about creating design and the process that is required. For every design you need to first come up with a concept or idea for your deign. Then you need to revisit the roots of architecture and design to see how you can create architecture done well. Finding materials that work well for your design is a very important step it will give you the bases for the project. In the end product there should be congruency so that the product is unified.
Roots are the foundations of something, where it comes from. We visited Fallingwater and Monticello and as we explored the houses it was apparent that both houses roots came from reflection on past architectural designs. When designing it is important to go back to the roots of all material you are planning to use and any design details that you want to incorporate. The reason for this is so that you know all you can about the design, this will impress your client and help you get the job. In the nineteenth century during the Eclecticism period “…the architectural building forms themselves were overwhelmingly determined by historical precedent. “(Roth 469) The Glass House created by Philip Johnson looked back to The Farnsworth House by Mies Van der Rohe for roots on glass houses and was greatly influenced by work.
Congruence
Congruence is an agreement between two or more things. In design it is necessary that everything you do be congruent with one another so that your design is unified. In Suzanne’s drawing class we are working on a graphic of either Monticello or Falling water. In these graphics we must choose a super graphic that will unify the drawings for mine I chose to do trees. Charles Francis Annesley Voysey’s house shows congruence between materials that made the end product work. “The walls were build of solid rubble stone, carefully dressed only at the windows and doors, with the broad surfaces covered with rough stucco painted white. The result was a traditional design rendered with abstract clarity.”(Roth 494)
Concept
A concept is an idea that you have. Concepts are especially important to design. Coming up with a concept is the first step in the design process. Often concepts are unique and give the viewer an abstract way of seeing the design. Often in history concepts were created for example “At the turn of the eighteenth century ,one new building type that appeared was the factory.” (Roth 486) The factory was a concept that was a turn in manual labor.
Materiality
Materials are important to any design project. Finding the right materials can enhance a design. It is important to explore materials to find the one that best suits your design. This week in studio we were given three materials and we had to do research on them to figure the cost, origin and uses of the material. We then made them into the 11X17 graphics shown below. In the nineteenth century “…there were epochal changes in the creation of new building types hat exploited new building materials…”(Roth 469) When Joseph Paxton created the Crystal Palace “…he created a transparent building without visual limits.”(Roth 487)
Compression: Release
Compression is when something is compacted. In history when a style was used for many buildings over a period of time this could be considered compression. When a new style comes and the old is no longer used as much this is release or letting go of a style. Often in design styles change and the idea of what looks good is drastically different. This would be an example of compression and relase.
Summary
This week has been about creating design and the process that is required. For every design you need to first come up with a concept or idea for your deign. Then you need to revisit the roots of architecture and design to see how you can create architecture done well. Finding materials that work well for your design is a very important step it will give you the bases for the project. In the end product there should be congruency so that the product is unified.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Between silence and light
Craft- Craft is how something is made or put together. When discussing craft in studio we discuss how well we made the project. If the lines are clean and then joints are put together correctly then we get complemented on good craft. While visiting Monticello and Falling Water I noticed that the craft and both places was impressive for the time periods in which they were built. Both homes were unlike any other. As the years have progressed Falling Water has had a number of structural problems that have demonstrated somewhat poor craft. De Stijl created the Red/Blue Chair, which was “constructed from sheets of painted plywood simply screwed together.”(Massey 70)
public/private- On the class trip to Monticello and Falling water we discovered that there were certain parts in each home that were public and private. In Monticello the opening hall and the parlor were the most public places of the house. The bedrooms and the personal family space were all meant to be private although the Jefferson’s often had many uninvited guests and the rooms were often made public. In Falling Water it was obvious that this retreat home was simply for the family and their time away from everyday life. It was not easily accessible and was not geared for entertaining guests. In the Tugendhat House by Mies Van Der Rohe “The study is separate from the living area by a Malaga Onyx partition…”(Massey 77) He separated public from private by simply using a partition.
technique-Technique is the way in which something is done. All designers have a technique as to how they put their designs into action. When I think of technique I think of your own personal way of completing something. At Falling Water Frank Lloyd Wright had to have a technique for constructing the home, after all it was built on a waterfall. A technique that was used in Monticello was the façade of the house was made of wood and they used a technique of covering the wood with sand and then painting it to make it look like brick. Brick was a material not available to Thomas Jefferson at the time so he created a technique for imitating brick. Another building in history that uses technique was the Mains Street “In Mains Street Mackintosh created an intimate atmosphere in his dining room with the somber brown of the walls, which were covered with coarse wrapping-paper”(Massey 53) He created a technique for creating an intimate atmosphere.
Language- while attending the trip this weekend I really learned how buildings can speak to you and how the architect speaks to you by the way he designs the building. At Monticello Thomas Jefferson spoke of invention and a new way of life through the way he designed and built Monticello. It was an expression of his life and how he felt he should live. Frank Lloyd Wright on the other hand built falling water for the Kaufman family. His voice speaks through the house in the way he created a retreat for the Kaufman’s and a house that speaks to and about nature completely. Frank Lloyd Wright also built houses “…in and around Chicago, described as ‘prairie houses’ because of their proximity to and sympathy with the huge flat expanses of land in the Mid-West.”(Massey 50) These “prairie houses” spoke to the land that they were associated with creating a dialog.
Virtual- virtual is something that is transferred from somewhere else or another way of seeing something. When we looked at pictures from our trip to Monticello and Falling Water on our computer we are seeing a virtual image. They have been transferred from our camera onto our computer and then into our brains. In 1910 “rather than ignoring mass production “[the members of the] Detscher Werkbund attempted to raise design standards for industry with a campaign [featured] in yearbooks and public propaganda.”(Massey 65) This is a virtual way of getting mass information to the public.
Summary
This week’s words deal with the idea of creating something. When designing there always needs to be a technique for how things will be done. The level of craft should be high and have clean lines to draw then eye across the design. Public and private spaces should be thought about so that traffic flow leads into public spaces and away from private spaces. Creating a language between the design and the person it is for is an amazing way to sell your idea because you give them something to relate to. To spread information about your design you could use a virtual method such as the internet of flyers.
public/private- On the class trip to Monticello and Falling water we discovered that there were certain parts in each home that were public and private. In Monticello the opening hall and the parlor were the most public places of the house. The bedrooms and the personal family space were all meant to be private although the Jefferson’s often had many uninvited guests and the rooms were often made public. In Falling Water it was obvious that this retreat home was simply for the family and their time away from everyday life. It was not easily accessible and was not geared for entertaining guests. In the Tugendhat House by Mies Van Der Rohe “The study is separate from the living area by a Malaga Onyx partition…”(Massey 77) He separated public from private by simply using a partition.
technique-Technique is the way in which something is done. All designers have a technique as to how they put their designs into action. When I think of technique I think of your own personal way of completing something. At Falling Water Frank Lloyd Wright had to have a technique for constructing the home, after all it was built on a waterfall. A technique that was used in Monticello was the façade of the house was made of wood and they used a technique of covering the wood with sand and then painting it to make it look like brick. Brick was a material not available to Thomas Jefferson at the time so he created a technique for imitating brick. Another building in history that uses technique was the Mains Street “In Mains Street Mackintosh created an intimate atmosphere in his dining room with the somber brown of the walls, which were covered with coarse wrapping-paper”(Massey 53) He created a technique for creating an intimate atmosphere.
Language- while attending the trip this weekend I really learned how buildings can speak to you and how the architect speaks to you by the way he designs the building. At Monticello Thomas Jefferson spoke of invention and a new way of life through the way he designed and built Monticello. It was an expression of his life and how he felt he should live. Frank Lloyd Wright on the other hand built falling water for the Kaufman family. His voice speaks through the house in the way he created a retreat for the Kaufman’s and a house that speaks to and about nature completely. Frank Lloyd Wright also built houses “…in and around Chicago, described as ‘prairie houses’ because of their proximity to and sympathy with the huge flat expanses of land in the Mid-West.”(Massey 50) These “prairie houses” spoke to the land that they were associated with creating a dialog.
Virtual- virtual is something that is transferred from somewhere else or another way of seeing something. When we looked at pictures from our trip to Monticello and Falling Water on our computer we are seeing a virtual image. They have been transferred from our camera onto our computer and then into our brains. In 1910 “rather than ignoring mass production “[the members of the] Detscher Werkbund attempted to raise design standards for industry with a campaign [featured] in yearbooks and public propaganda.”(Massey 65) This is a virtual way of getting mass information to the public.
Summary
This week’s words deal with the idea of creating something. When designing there always needs to be a technique for how things will be done. The level of craft should be high and have clean lines to draw then eye across the design. Public and private spaces should be thought about so that traffic flow leads into public spaces and away from private spaces. Creating a language between the design and the person it is for is an amazing way to sell your idea because you give them something to relate to. To spread information about your design you could use a virtual method such as the internet of flyers.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
[RE]actions
Rotation
Rotation is when an object moves around a central point. Rotation is often found in design. Design constantly rotates from one style to another depending on the time period and the influences that surround designers. The reason design can be thought about as rotational is because old styles often come back and are popular again. Architecture is a perfect example of rotation throughout history the different styles of architecture have been used time and time again. The details and character of older architecture often attracts the eye of new designers who incorporate them into their own architecture.
Movement
A movement is something that invokes change in people or an environment. Design often has an affect on people or society that we would call a movement. A design that would create a movement would have to be inspirational and something that would effect the world in a positive way.
Reflection
When thinking of reflection I think about looking back on the work that I have done and accessing it. Often when beginning a new design or piece of architecture designers often reflect on the past and take a closer look. They look for details and design ideas that they can incorporate into their own work.
Source
Source is where something comes from. The source of design concepts is a designers mind. In rooms lighting is important and the source is often more important to understanding the space. The source may come from artificial light or natural light, which give different effects. When using the beaux arts style the auditorium was famous "...because it is here that electric light was used for the first time as a design-feature."(Massey 49) making this the source of electric light.
Illumination light
To illuminate something means to enhance it. This week in studio we have been working with light and we had to build a project that plays with light and shows our project and how it is illuminated by light. Illumination was found in the projects is given by natural light. Most worked well because of the shadows they casted. Illumination has a huge impact on the way we see the world and everything in it.In history we learn that Mackintosh's interiors were known for their "...use of bold contrasts between light and dark."(Massey 53)
Summary
The words this week continue to deal with ways of improving design. By using rotation you as a designer can make old styles new again. Reflectining on your new creation will help to better translate your idea to others and perhaps even cause a movement that will set the stage for others of your same design style. Illuminating your design with shadows and color will make them pop out from the page and leave an impact on the viewer. When using these techniques appointing a light source will help with the outcome.
Rotation is when an object moves around a central point. Rotation is often found in design. Design constantly rotates from one style to another depending on the time period and the influences that surround designers. The reason design can be thought about as rotational is because old styles often come back and are popular again. Architecture is a perfect example of rotation throughout history the different styles of architecture have been used time and time again. The details and character of older architecture often attracts the eye of new designers who incorporate them into their own architecture.
Movement
A movement is something that invokes change in people or an environment. Design often has an affect on people or society that we would call a movement. A design that would create a movement would have to be inspirational and something that would effect the world in a positive way.
Reflection
When thinking of reflection I think about looking back on the work that I have done and accessing it. Often when beginning a new design or piece of architecture designers often reflect on the past and take a closer look. They look for details and design ideas that they can incorporate into their own work.
Source
Source is where something comes from. The source of design concepts is a designers mind. In rooms lighting is important and the source is often more important to understanding the space. The source may come from artificial light or natural light, which give different effects. When using the beaux arts style the auditorium was famous "...because it is here that electric light was used for the first time as a design-feature."(Massey 49) making this the source of electric light.
Illumination light
To illuminate something means to enhance it. This week in studio we have been working with light and we had to build a project that plays with light and shows our project and how it is illuminated by light. Illumination was found in the projects is given by natural light. Most worked well because of the shadows they casted. Illumination has a huge impact on the way we see the world and everything in it.In history we learn that Mackintosh's interiors were known for their "...use of bold contrasts between light and dark."(Massey 53)
Summary
The words this week continue to deal with ways of improving design. By using rotation you as a designer can make old styles new again. Reflectining on your new creation will help to better translate your idea to others and perhaps even cause a movement that will set the stage for others of your same design style. Illuminating your design with shadows and color will make them pop out from the page and leave an impact on the viewer. When using these techniques appointing a light source will help with the outcome.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Grammar:Syntax
Opus week 8
[re]visions-
A revision is another iteration of a previous work. Revisions are highly recommended for design. If you revise something it will help you learn from the mistakes you made in the first model so that you can improve the next one. In studio we are constantly reminded to revise our work, we do it knowing that our work will turn out better the more times we make it. In history you often find that architects will take other peoples work and revise them and make them their own. "In Sant' Andrea Alberti had to do as Brunelleschi had done previously ...devise a scheme..."(Roth 371) he had to revise his previous plans and create something that worked.
Audience-
An audience is a set of people who view your work. In design it is important to interact with your audience. You can achieve interaction by making models that they can touch and move around, also by having examples of the materials you plan to use so the audience can see and feel the textures and colors. Pieto da Corlona, a famous artist of the renaissance, worked with illusionism in one of his ceiling paintings made them “…appear open to the sky and the figures seen from below appear forced down into the room as well as soar out of it.”(Blakemore 154)
Character-
Character is important in a project. If a project has character it will be more attractive and make it interesting. You can add character by making a part of the project unique or by adding details. Character is often found in history. The old and unique details of Venice, Italy give the city character that still attracts people from all around the world. The city is built on the water and this is a characteristic that people know worldwide. In the baroque period “…architecture took on the properties most characteristic of painting.”(153) Meaning that some things that paintings are known for were used in architecture.
Transition-
A transition is the movement from on thing to another. This week we have transitioned into a new project where we are working with natural objects and natural light. I feel that the object I chose made a transition on to paper where it was portrayed in patterns more so than in the literal sense. In projects it sometimes is important for transition to be present. You want the design to be diverse but still relate back to the beginning therefore you need a smooth transition. As architecture transitions from one time period to the next you see that the new architecture still relates back to the past. Essentially change happens a transition is a way of filling the gap between the two. In on of Leon Battista Alberti’s Latin Cross Churches he “…was confronted with the problem of making a graceful transition from the tall center nave to the lower side aisles.”(Roth 367) Showing you that transition can not be abrupt it must be handled with care.
Datum-
Datum is a fixed starting point of a scale or operation. In design datum lines are used to make presentations or displaying of work more professional and readable. When displaying our work on the walls of the critique room we are encouraged to hang everyone’s work on a central datum line, meaning they are all the same height from the floor and ceiling. This makes for easier understanding and a not so chaotic presentation. "The goal of [renaissance architecture] was purity, a state of absolute balance and rational order."(Roth 381).
Summary
This week has been about improving design. With each word we find that it is another detail in the design process that needs to be present for a successful design. Revisions and character deal with the design itself. Adding character to a design and then revising it accentuates a design and will appeal to your audience. By using a central datum line and using a nice transition you will create a professional presentation that is understandable for the audience.
[re]visions-
A revision is another iteration of a previous work. Revisions are highly recommended for design. If you revise something it will help you learn from the mistakes you made in the first model so that you can improve the next one. In studio we are constantly reminded to revise our work, we do it knowing that our work will turn out better the more times we make it. In history you often find that architects will take other peoples work and revise them and make them their own. "In Sant' Andrea Alberti had to do as Brunelleschi had done previously ...devise a scheme..."(Roth 371) he had to revise his previous plans and create something that worked.
Audience-
An audience is a set of people who view your work. In design it is important to interact with your audience. You can achieve interaction by making models that they can touch and move around, also by having examples of the materials you plan to use so the audience can see and feel the textures and colors. Pieto da Corlona, a famous artist of the renaissance, worked with illusionism in one of his ceiling paintings made them “…appear open to the sky and the figures seen from below appear forced down into the room as well as soar out of it.”(Blakemore 154)
Character-
Character is important in a project. If a project has character it will be more attractive and make it interesting. You can add character by making a part of the project unique or by adding details. Character is often found in history. The old and unique details of Venice, Italy give the city character that still attracts people from all around the world. The city is built on the water and this is a characteristic that people know worldwide. In the baroque period “…architecture took on the properties most characteristic of painting.”(153) Meaning that some things that paintings are known for were used in architecture.
Transition-
A transition is the movement from on thing to another. This week we have transitioned into a new project where we are working with natural objects and natural light. I feel that the object I chose made a transition on to paper where it was portrayed in patterns more so than in the literal sense. In projects it sometimes is important for transition to be present. You want the design to be diverse but still relate back to the beginning therefore you need a smooth transition. As architecture transitions from one time period to the next you see that the new architecture still relates back to the past. Essentially change happens a transition is a way of filling the gap between the two. In on of Leon Battista Alberti’s Latin Cross Churches he “…was confronted with the problem of making a graceful transition from the tall center nave to the lower side aisles.”(Roth 367) Showing you that transition can not be abrupt it must be handled with care.
Datum-
Datum is a fixed starting point of a scale or operation. In design datum lines are used to make presentations or displaying of work more professional and readable. When displaying our work on the walls of the critique room we are encouraged to hang everyone’s work on a central datum line, meaning they are all the same height from the floor and ceiling. This makes for easier understanding and a not so chaotic presentation. "The goal of [renaissance architecture] was purity, a state of absolute balance and rational order."(Roth 381).
Summary
This week has been about improving design. With each word we find that it is another detail in the design process that needs to be present for a successful design. Revisions and character deal with the design itself. Adding character to a design and then revising it accentuates a design and will appeal to your audience. By using a central datum line and using a nice transition you will create a professional presentation that is understandable for the audience.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
P week
Periphery
Periphery is the otter limits of a building. We learn in history that buildings such as the gothic cathedrals us their outer limits to spill into the street of the city. These limits are often decorated with a facade placed on the front. It draws people into the building and intrigues them once they are there. During the renaissance period "castles and chateaux were country palaces...[that] were often irregular in outline..."(Blakemore 114)All buildings have limits and are well defined. I have been working with the Ferguson building this week and it has some interesting limits.
Portfolio
A portfolio is a collection of ones work. It is made up of all past accomplishments and a way to keep track of what you have done. In Stoel’s class we had to turn in a refined portfolio of the work we had accomplished throughout the semester so far. It is a good idea to keep all the work you do so that you establish a portfolio. They are used so that prospective employers can see the work you have done and the progress you have made. Theses portfolios should be professional and well organized. We use our blogs as an online portfolio to show the world.The architects of the renaissance period created a portfolio similar to our blogs that was displayed throughout Europe. They also achieved portfolios in interior spaces "Venetian interiors...often included within one room a combination of media-oil and fresco paintings, carved marble and stucco reliefs."(Blakemore 98)
Process
Processes are a part of life and for everything the process is different. Processes are seemingly important to design. There are steps that need to be taken that simply come natural to a designer. In studio the design process is used constantly. Upon receiving a new project my mind initially goes to thinking about what to do. I make sketches and models and continue building my design from those. Clearly this process is normal and without it design would not be possible. In ancient times the people used the same process for creating architecture. They determined what was needed and then began their process from there. In drawing and drafting there is always a process. We know what the end goal is and take the steps necessary to create something both visually pleasing and informative. Building our portals was a long process that took a great amount of details and planning. In medieval times Brunelleschi set out to prove that he could vault a ceiling with a long span. "[He began] thinking about how it could be done...[he began the process] with many visits to Rome to study ancient architecture..."(Roth 357)
Perspective
Perspective drawings are drawings that show depth. We have been working with perspectives in Suzanne’s drawing class this semester. Perspectives are showing a picture and adding depth so that you understand the picture. A perspective can also be the way something is viewed for instance in a studio project each teacher may perceive the project in a different way. In history perspectives a created by architectural details. Renaissance architecture was known for pasting facades onto the front of the building. These were in great detail and drew the viewer in for a closer look. "This new architecture [was] visually clear and rationally organized..."(Roth 353)just as any perspective should be.
Professional
In Suzanne’s class this coming week we will begin to create our presentation boards for our buildings. It will be very important that we make these boards look professional. Professionalism makes the viewer see you as serious and confident and they will respect your work and what you do. We turned portfolios in for Stoel’s class this week and we had to make sure they were professional. They needed to be organized well and meet the requirements that were asked. Anything done well whether it be a project, drawing or piece of architecture will have a sense of professionalism and show that to the client. In Italian Renaissance "Forms were forceful and precise. Nothing was ambiguous; cubic forms predominated. Lines were clear and decisive."(Blakemore 97) This gave the interiors a sense of professionalism they looked clean and welcoming.
Summary
This week we have been working with professionalism. Showing professionalism in your work shows progress. By keeping a portfolio of your work that includes limits, processes and perspectives you create something that is professional. In all our classes we are encouraged to take inspiration and create our own sense of professionalism to show our learning and understandings. Our blog posts are another example of professionalism at its finest.
Periphery is the otter limits of a building. We learn in history that buildings such as the gothic cathedrals us their outer limits to spill into the street of the city. These limits are often decorated with a facade placed on the front. It draws people into the building and intrigues them once they are there. During the renaissance period "castles and chateaux were country palaces...[that] were often irregular in outline..."(Blakemore 114)All buildings have limits and are well defined. I have been working with the Ferguson building this week and it has some interesting limits.
Portfolio
A portfolio is a collection of ones work. It is made up of all past accomplishments and a way to keep track of what you have done. In Stoel’s class we had to turn in a refined portfolio of the work we had accomplished throughout the semester so far. It is a good idea to keep all the work you do so that you establish a portfolio. They are used so that prospective employers can see the work you have done and the progress you have made. Theses portfolios should be professional and well organized. We use our blogs as an online portfolio to show the world.The architects of the renaissance period created a portfolio similar to our blogs that was displayed throughout Europe. They also achieved portfolios in interior spaces "Venetian interiors...often included within one room a combination of media-oil and fresco paintings, carved marble and stucco reliefs."(Blakemore 98)
Process
Processes are a part of life and for everything the process is different. Processes are seemingly important to design. There are steps that need to be taken that simply come natural to a designer. In studio the design process is used constantly. Upon receiving a new project my mind initially goes to thinking about what to do. I make sketches and models and continue building my design from those. Clearly this process is normal and without it design would not be possible. In ancient times the people used the same process for creating architecture. They determined what was needed and then began their process from there. In drawing and drafting there is always a process. We know what the end goal is and take the steps necessary to create something both visually pleasing and informative. Building our portals was a long process that took a great amount of details and planning. In medieval times Brunelleschi set out to prove that he could vault a ceiling with a long span. "[He began] thinking about how it could be done...[he began the process] with many visits to Rome to study ancient architecture..."(Roth 357)
Perspective
Perspective drawings are drawings that show depth. We have been working with perspectives in Suzanne’s drawing class this semester. Perspectives are showing a picture and adding depth so that you understand the picture. A perspective can also be the way something is viewed for instance in a studio project each teacher may perceive the project in a different way. In history perspectives a created by architectural details. Renaissance architecture was known for pasting facades onto the front of the building. These were in great detail and drew the viewer in for a closer look. "This new architecture [was] visually clear and rationally organized..."(Roth 353)just as any perspective should be.
Professional
In Suzanne’s class this coming week we will begin to create our presentation boards for our buildings. It will be very important that we make these boards look professional. Professionalism makes the viewer see you as serious and confident and they will respect your work and what you do. We turned portfolios in for Stoel’s class this week and we had to make sure they were professional. They needed to be organized well and meet the requirements that were asked. Anything done well whether it be a project, drawing or piece of architecture will have a sense of professionalism and show that to the client. In Italian Renaissance "Forms were forceful and precise. Nothing was ambiguous; cubic forms predominated. Lines were clear and decisive."(Blakemore 97) This gave the interiors a sense of professionalism they looked clean and welcoming.
Summary
This week we have been working with professionalism. Showing professionalism in your work shows progress. By keeping a portfolio of your work that includes limits, processes and perspectives you create something that is professional. In all our classes we are encouraged to take inspiration and create our own sense of professionalism to show our learning and understandings. Our blog posts are another example of professionalism at its finest.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Macro:Micro
Impression
“The Gothic church…stood for the Heavenly City of Jerusalem…and was a monument that seems to dwarf the man who enters it, for space, light, structure and the plastic effects of masonry are organized to produce a visionary scale.”(Roth 301) An impression is something that is long lasting and something that will be remembered. In the middle ages Gothic architecture was formed. People of this time were focused on making the Gothic cathedrals very large in scale with a great amount of detail. They wanted to make an impression on the city and any visitors who came.. The cathedrals succeeded and were the epicenter of the city they were in. Everything was focused on the church and it marveled visitors.
Porch, court, hearth
The porch, court and hearth were created in ancient Greece. The porch is the part of the trio that leads you towards the main building. The court is used for socializing. People gather here for different reason but in Greece the courts were mostly used for political speeches and religious gatherings. The hearth however was strictly for the main person of the house this usually meant their sleeping quarters. An example of the porch, court and hearth is Athena’s home the Parthenon on the Acropolis. Most buildings in Greece and buildings since have the three. “A residence in Priene…illustrates how elements of…[a] plan were adapted to later functional needs. Here the porch opened from a court and provided access directly into the hall, the large room immediately behind it [, the hearth.]”(Blakemore 31) This is a home that is centered around the porch, court and hearth making them the most important aspects of the home. While thinking about the porch, court and hearth I noticed that almost all architecture includes these aspects into the design.
Detail
We worked with detail in Suzanne’s class in our drawings. We were asked to revisit our building and pick out a detail that we thought would translate the building. I chose to draw a light fixture in the stairwell of the Ferguson building. In class the teacher’s assistant said that it was obvious what building I had from the detail that I chose. This shows that details are very important in drawing and design because sometimes it’s the little details that help convey the idea. Details have shown to be very important in Stoel’s drafting class. When drafting the details are important in conveying ideas to a client. In architecture details sometimes “make” the building. Gothic cathedrals included much detail into their walls inside and out making them something magnificent. “The most commanding ceiling of the medieval period was that of the hall which extended two stories in height and featured the structural detail of open beams supporting the pitched roof.”(Blakemore 81) This quote exhibits the idea that detail is found throughout these cathedrals and they make a difference in the way you perceive them.
Composition
Composition is the way something is put together. In history the way the buildings were composed was very important to the way people moved throughout the space and how functional it was. "Hagia Sophia was a stupendous achievement-perilously balanced masses and shells of brickwork laced with stone reinforcement, lifted into the air."(Roth 290) The architects who built Hagia Sophia diligently composed a building that attracts the eye of anyone passing by. In drawing the way you compose what you draw on a page has an effect on how successful the drawing is. By balancing the drawing and filling voids you will create a composition that accentuates what you have drawn.
Diagram
A diagram is a picture that conveys an idea without words. For Suzanne’s class we have been given an assignment where we are required to draw a diagram of our building. Christy and I worked on the circulation diagram and we were required to watch the flow of traffic. We had to see where people congregated and where there was no one. We then put all this onto a piece of paper and made it so that people could understand it without having to ask. "...Constantine ordered that there be built in Jerusalem 'a basilica more beautiful than any on earth.' The architect Zenobius...work[ed] from general plans possibly sent from Constantine."(Roth 284) Even in ancient history plans were used to communicate what needed to be done for a piece of architecture. These plans could be read and understood by the architect and a masterpiece would be built.
Summary
This week was about ways to better your work so that it leaves an impression on others. When creating any piece of work whether it be drawing, drafting or designing you need to have the ability to convey your ideas to the viewer. The diagram is an excellent way to show your ideas in an understandable yet fun way. When expressing your ideas on paper you need to make sure your work is well composed. This makes for a positive reaction and a sense of professionalism. By adding detail to your drawings or a design you can enhance your work. It makes it more interesting and will show that you are interested in doing all you can to improve something. In Greece the buildings all utilized a porch, court and hearth this is an example of enhancing the building so that it leaves a lasting impression upon the people.
“The Gothic church…stood for the Heavenly City of Jerusalem…and was a monument that seems to dwarf the man who enters it, for space, light, structure and the plastic effects of masonry are organized to produce a visionary scale.”(Roth 301) An impression is something that is long lasting and something that will be remembered. In the middle ages Gothic architecture was formed. People of this time were focused on making the Gothic cathedrals very large in scale with a great amount of detail. They wanted to make an impression on the city and any visitors who came.. The cathedrals succeeded and were the epicenter of the city they were in. Everything was focused on the church and it marveled visitors.
Porch, court, hearth
The porch, court and hearth were created in ancient Greece. The porch is the part of the trio that leads you towards the main building. The court is used for socializing. People gather here for different reason but in Greece the courts were mostly used for political speeches and religious gatherings. The hearth however was strictly for the main person of the house this usually meant their sleeping quarters. An example of the porch, court and hearth is Athena’s home the Parthenon on the Acropolis. Most buildings in Greece and buildings since have the three. “A residence in Priene…illustrates how elements of…[a] plan were adapted to later functional needs. Here the porch opened from a court and provided access directly into the hall, the large room immediately behind it [, the hearth.]”(Blakemore 31) This is a home that is centered around the porch, court and hearth making them the most important aspects of the home. While thinking about the porch, court and hearth I noticed that almost all architecture includes these aspects into the design.
Detail
We worked with detail in Suzanne’s class in our drawings. We were asked to revisit our building and pick out a detail that we thought would translate the building. I chose to draw a light fixture in the stairwell of the Ferguson building. In class the teacher’s assistant said that it was obvious what building I had from the detail that I chose. This shows that details are very important in drawing and design because sometimes it’s the little details that help convey the idea. Details have shown to be very important in Stoel’s drafting class. When drafting the details are important in conveying ideas to a client. In architecture details sometimes “make” the building. Gothic cathedrals included much detail into their walls inside and out making them something magnificent. “The most commanding ceiling of the medieval period was that of the hall which extended two stories in height and featured the structural detail of open beams supporting the pitched roof.”(Blakemore 81) This quote exhibits the idea that detail is found throughout these cathedrals and they make a difference in the way you perceive them.
Composition
Composition is the way something is put together. In history the way the buildings were composed was very important to the way people moved throughout the space and how functional it was. "Hagia Sophia was a stupendous achievement-perilously balanced masses and shells of brickwork laced with stone reinforcement, lifted into the air."(Roth 290) The architects who built Hagia Sophia diligently composed a building that attracts the eye of anyone passing by. In drawing the way you compose what you draw on a page has an effect on how successful the drawing is. By balancing the drawing and filling voids you will create a composition that accentuates what you have drawn.
Diagram
A diagram is a picture that conveys an idea without words. For Suzanne’s class we have been given an assignment where we are required to draw a diagram of our building. Christy and I worked on the circulation diagram and we were required to watch the flow of traffic. We had to see where people congregated and where there was no one. We then put all this onto a piece of paper and made it so that people could understand it without having to ask. "...Constantine ordered that there be built in Jerusalem 'a basilica more beautiful than any on earth.' The architect Zenobius...work[ed] from general plans possibly sent from Constantine."(Roth 284) Even in ancient history plans were used to communicate what needed to be done for a piece of architecture. These plans could be read and understood by the architect and a masterpiece would be built.
Summary
This week was about ways to better your work so that it leaves an impression on others. When creating any piece of work whether it be drawing, drafting or designing you need to have the ability to convey your ideas to the viewer. The diagram is an excellent way to show your ideas in an understandable yet fun way. When expressing your ideas on paper you need to make sure your work is well composed. This makes for a positive reaction and a sense of professionalism. By adding detail to your drawings or a design you can enhance your work. It makes it more interesting and will show that you are interested in doing all you can to improve something. In Greece the buildings all utilized a porch, court and hearth this is an example of enhancing the building so that it leaves a lasting impression upon the people.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Voices
Presence
Buildings have a presence that makes them unique. They invoke emotion in you that causes you to perceive that building in a certain way. In Egypt the pyramids show the world that hierarchy was something of great importance. The materials of Limestone and gold echo a presence of greatness throughout Egypt. In Greece, Athena’s home, the Parthenon presents you with the presence of power. She placed her home on the Acropolis so that every other building would lead your eye towards it. “The building that best symbolizes the Roman enclosure of space and the powerful effect of such defined spaces is the Pantheon.”(Roth 257) it is a structure that illuminates the presence of heaven. The oculus found in the dome was seen by the Romans as a gateway to heaven from their world. Also any drawings you create should withhold a presence. Pulling the viewer into them and making them feel as if they are truly a part of the moment.
Precedent
Precedents are something that continually need to be used in design. Precedents give inspiration to a designer and help them get started in their design. Precedents should be a tool to help keep you thinking continuously about your main idea. An assignment in Suzanne’s class this week was to find five precedent pictures that we would be inspired by in our drawings of the building we were given. These precedents influenced me to go out of my comfort zone and try a new style of drawing. In history the “Roman theaters, [were] derived from the Greek models…”(Roth 264). They took the Greek models and got ideas from them to make their own theater, they were inspired by the Greeks. Precedents can only be helpful, another resource to utilize.
Picture by Lok Jansen
Moments
This week we have been working with moments in Suzanne’s drawing class. Exploring the Ferguson Building on campus I encountered some moments that I found made the building unique. I drew the rounded staircase that is on the outside; it is unlike any other that I have seen on campus. If the viewer has ever used theses stairs, immediately when they see the drawing they will know where it is. This is what makes a moment, something that stands out. In history, buildings capture moments. The details, style and materials used capture moments of history that take us back so that we get a feel of how things were in the time they were built. Pompeii is a wonderful of example of a moment. “When the site was uncovered in the eighteenth century and excavation began in 1748, the first detailed evidence of everyday Roman life came to light.”(Roth 264) The volcano ash buried the village and preserved ancient artifacts that give us insight into what life was like in Rome.
Duality
Duality is known as an opposition of two things. When working with the translation project for this week I found that there was a duality between the white and black paper I had to use. The duality between white and black also had a strong connection with my fairytale. In the story the good was struggling to avoid being overcome by the evil. When drafting there is often a duality between line weights for instance when portraying an object closer you would use darker lines. In Rome "A clearly defined division between the ceiling and wall was often articulated by a stucco cornice molding crowing the wall." (Blakemore 60) Duality has always been a factor even in ancient times.
Metric
When thinking about the word metric measurements immediately come to mind. In drafting we use measurements constantly to make sure a room or building is conveyed accurately. "The Romans were expert in the manipulation of three-deminsional space."(Blakemore 51)Which is shown in buildings such as the Baths of the Diocletian. The baths are linked by water but are also separated into three separate spaces. By creating these spaces you see the dualities of each section. Metric can be thought of as a system. In comparing the baths to a mall the system really shows. Malls as well as the baths are a place for being social while you achieve what you came there for. The space needs to be made to accommodate many masses of people with a layout that is functional for the flow of the people.
Summary
All topics discussed this week have been ideas that are commonly used in our world. Most everything has a presence that it portrays to the world. You find measurements are taken into consideration for the purpose of finding a scale that works well with the human body. Metric things are thought about when designing anything. When walking through the world moments are everywhere, people create moments by being unique. Moments that are permanent are found in ancient artifacts and buildings. You often see these artifacts used as precedents in design today. These buildings often have a sense of duality within them, none are the same as the other.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Parts:Whole
Archetype/Prototype/Hybrid
Archetype is making a plan of action to create a prototype and then the final model or hybrid. Figuring out the design and thinking logically about how it should be executed are part of this. A prototype is needed as a phase in any process. In the translation project we worked on this week I had to make practice models or prototypes to see if my idea was going to work. By doing this it helps you better prepare for the final model so that it will be well crafted and precise. In Sicily a Bronze Leg that as your eyes move downward to the ground becomes a lions “The prototype for these materials, judging from the details was of wood…” (Blakemore 39). When doing a project you need an archetype to get your ideas worked out, a prototype to see how the model will look and then finally a hybrid which is a combination of the two. Every civilization builds on previous civilizations taking parts of their architecture to incorporate with their own forming hybrids.
Source
Source is defined as where something is derived from. We learn that sources are very important especially when pulling information needed for personal use. We have been told repetitively to cite our sources when finding information we use in our opus. In history each civilization used sources from the previous one. Taking their failures and glories to help their architecture become better. “From the Hellenistic Greeks, the Romans learned the technique of orthographically planning…”(Roth 253). They used the Greek’s idea of a plan to help create their society.
Entourage
An entourage is a collection of things. In Suzanne’s drawing class we used this word when discussing vignettes. Vignettes as I talked about last week in the opus are a collection of things that tell a story. There is also the presence of entourage in history the acropolis stands on a mountain and is a collection of buildings. These buildings all tell a story about the most important building, the Parthenon. Each building is another part of Athena’s story. In Greece as they created mosaics and paintings on walls an entourage was created by the teams of “…less skilled craftsmen (who) were responsible for laying the surrounding mosaic.” (Blakemore 57) this entourage of men create a story.
Hierarchy
Hierarchy can be found in most any situation. In the ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman times hierarchy has played an important part. In Egypt, pyramids are the prime example of hierarchy they were built so that the Pharaohs could show the common people that they were the most important people. In Greece Athena’s home the Parthenon is hierarchy. “The Parthenon is unusual for several reasons. One is its large size…”(Roth 236). She built her home so that it would be the largest and most important piece of architecture on the acropolis. All other buildings are pointing or in some way directing you to the Parthenon, for example on the Porch of the Maidens, the maidens’ breast point towards the Parthenon. In Rome hierarchy was of most importance. The large columns that stood alone were formed after the male genitals. Each man who built one strived to make his bigger and wider than every other. To achieve hierarchy in this time made people often stole others columns just so they could be the best.
Order
Orders also called columns have changed throughout time. There are three main columns seen throughout history the Ionic, Doric and Corinthian. Columns were used in the ancient times for structure and looks. For example in the Egyptian and Greek time periods the orders were mainly used for structural support. In a residence in Priene, Greece “columns encompassed the atrium, forming a Peristyle court.” (Blakemore 32) This is structural support because the columns held up the building creating a court. When the Roman’s decided to use columns it was more for the delight aspect. They would have columns that were essentially cut in half and pasted on the side of buildings such as the Coliseum in Rome.
Summary
This week has been about progress and hierarchy. There is a process that needs to be completed when working with archetypes, prototypes and hybrids. The three words define the process of creation. Hierarchy and order work together to create an ultimate sense of hierarchy. The Romans used columns that stood alone to stand for hierarchy, every male power wanted to have the biggest and best. Sources were taken from past cultures to make new societies better creating hybrid buildings. They are an entourage that encompasses the past and the present and helps the idea that the Roman's had of a perfect society.
Archetype is making a plan of action to create a prototype and then the final model or hybrid. Figuring out the design and thinking logically about how it should be executed are part of this. A prototype is needed as a phase in any process. In the translation project we worked on this week I had to make practice models or prototypes to see if my idea was going to work. By doing this it helps you better prepare for the final model so that it will be well crafted and precise. In Sicily a Bronze Leg that as your eyes move downward to the ground becomes a lions “The prototype for these materials, judging from the details was of wood…” (Blakemore 39). When doing a project you need an archetype to get your ideas worked out, a prototype to see how the model will look and then finally a hybrid which is a combination of the two. Every civilization builds on previous civilizations taking parts of their architecture to incorporate with their own forming hybrids.
Source
Source is defined as where something is derived from. We learn that sources are very important especially when pulling information needed for personal use. We have been told repetitively to cite our sources when finding information we use in our opus. In history each civilization used sources from the previous one. Taking their failures and glories to help their architecture become better. “From the Hellenistic Greeks, the Romans learned the technique of orthographically planning…”(Roth 253). They used the Greek’s idea of a plan to help create their society.
Entourage
An entourage is a collection of things. In Suzanne’s drawing class we used this word when discussing vignettes. Vignettes as I talked about last week in the opus are a collection of things that tell a story. There is also the presence of entourage in history the acropolis stands on a mountain and is a collection of buildings. These buildings all tell a story about the most important building, the Parthenon. Each building is another part of Athena’s story. In Greece as they created mosaics and paintings on walls an entourage was created by the teams of “…less skilled craftsmen (who) were responsible for laying the surrounding mosaic.” (Blakemore 57) this entourage of men create a story.
Hierarchy
Hierarchy can be found in most any situation. In the ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman times hierarchy has played an important part. In Egypt, pyramids are the prime example of hierarchy they were built so that the Pharaohs could show the common people that they were the most important people. In Greece Athena’s home the Parthenon is hierarchy. “The Parthenon is unusual for several reasons. One is its large size…”(Roth 236). She built her home so that it would be the largest and most important piece of architecture on the acropolis. All other buildings are pointing or in some way directing you to the Parthenon, for example on the Porch of the Maidens, the maidens’ breast point towards the Parthenon. In Rome hierarchy was of most importance. The large columns that stood alone were formed after the male genitals. Each man who built one strived to make his bigger and wider than every other. To achieve hierarchy in this time made people often stole others columns just so they could be the best.
Order
Orders also called columns have changed throughout time. There are three main columns seen throughout history the Ionic, Doric and Corinthian. Columns were used in the ancient times for structure and looks. For example in the Egyptian and Greek time periods the orders were mainly used for structural support. In a residence in Priene, Greece “columns encompassed the atrium, forming a Peristyle court.” (Blakemore 32) This is structural support because the columns held up the building creating a court. When the Roman’s decided to use columns it was more for the delight aspect. They would have columns that were essentially cut in half and pasted on the side of buildings such as the Coliseum in Rome.
Summary
This week has been about progress and hierarchy. There is a process that needs to be completed when working with archetypes, prototypes and hybrids. The three words define the process of creation. Hierarchy and order work together to create an ultimate sense of hierarchy. The Romans used columns that stood alone to stand for hierarchy, every male power wanted to have the biggest and best. Sources were taken from past cultures to make new societies better creating hybrid buildings. They are an entourage that encompasses the past and the present and helps the idea that the Roman's had of a perfect society.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Opus week three
Scale
Roth’s definition of scale is “how big a building is, relative to the size of the average human being.” (Roth 75). Scale has been a use full tool this week. We made a wall section and of course we were not asked to make a full-scale wall so we scaled them down. In history scale is a huge issue. In Egypt the scale of the pyramids were used for intimidation against common people. The columns used in Egypt were extremely large it took many slaves and the use of the materials that surround them such as sand. There is a constant use of scale in drafting class. When working with Pat’s Chair I have had to draw a series of different views that had to be drawn into a smaller scale. I also needed to include a scale figure. In architecture "the older buildings provide many clues as to their size relative to human beings..."(Roth 76). By looking at the building with people standing around it you will get a sense of the buildings size rather than if you just see the building. Learning how to do quick sketches of people will help you if you are trying to show the scale of a piece of furniture or architecture.
Unity
Unity is as always a huge part of any project. You want everything you create to be unified so it flows well and attracts people. The wall section that I built needed to be unified with the artifact I had made. Hatshepsut’s pyramid was unified in the way the columns were placed. They are all the same and run across the front of the pyramid, this unifies the whole pyramid together. Something that unifies all of the Egyptian pyramids is the hieroglyphics and relief designs carved onto the walls, “…they were often covered with thin sheets of gold or electrum, or paint was applied thickly.”(Blakemore 11) This was something that most pyramids had incorporated somehow.
Section
Section has been a big part of this weeks discussions we made a wall section, that was something new to me and I found it very helpful. For Pat’s chair I did a section view, which is basically cutting the chair in half and drawing it. I did this from two different angles and pouched where the edges were cut. In Greece there are three main parts to a building. The first is the porch which is the gateway to the rest of the building. The court is positioned somewhere in front of this and it is a gathering spot for religious ceremonies and government meetings. The final part is the hearth which is where the important person of the house will be. These are all different sections of the building that have different purposes and different uses. The Temple of Amon at Karnak is an example of a building with a porch, court and hearth.
Boundaries
The biggest demonstration of boundaries that I noticed throughout the week was in history class. We talked about how the Egyptian Pharaohs would build pyramids. They decorated them with polished limestone and accentuated them with a gold peak. This was used to make the pyramid stand out but also to let the commoners of Egypt know that they were not to enter the pyramid. It set the boundary for them they knew where they could go and where they could not. After the thirty -first dynasty in Egypt “The world was no longer viewed as changeless…”(Roth 209).It was now okay to change architecture and create new ideas this broke a boundary for architecture. In any project there are boundaries that must be followed if there were not boundaries nothing would be unified. The Great Wall of China sets boundaries, it runs for miles setting the boundaries for China, it has served its purpose well for many years.
Vignette
A vignette is a picture that captures a moment. This is a scene that tells a story and really conveys an atmosphere. In Suzanne’s drawing class this week we have been avidly working with vignettes everything from objects to people. I found that I really enjoying drawing vignettes and then adding watercolor to illuminate the drawing. In ancient Egypt “ornamental detail was often associated with symbolism.”(Blakemore 25). These pictures are displayed on the walls of pyramids across Egypt and they all tell a story which is what any kind of vignette does.
Summary
A vignette and a section are a lot alike they are both drawings that only show a part of something yet still convey the point you are trying to make. The purpose of a vignette or section is to tell a portion of a story and show you visually a scene. A vignette can be found in history for example the Acropolis in Greece has buildings such as the Parthenon and the Erechtheion that help to tell a story all in the way they are placed on the hill and the details that go into the orders. The scale of the buildings has a great deal to do with this as well. The Parthenon is the largest building on the Acropolis because it was Athena's house and she was the goddess. Boundaries are found in everything. In architecture walls are usually the main example of a boundary. The Great Wall of China keeps people out unless they are let in and in drawing and drafting your boundaries are the end of the page. There are always ways to unify, for example when painting a vignette if you use a color in one part of the drawing then u should use it somewhere else as well to unify the vignette.
Roth’s definition of scale is “how big a building is, relative to the size of the average human being.” (Roth 75). Scale has been a use full tool this week. We made a wall section and of course we were not asked to make a full-scale wall so we scaled them down. In history scale is a huge issue. In Egypt the scale of the pyramids were used for intimidation against common people. The columns used in Egypt were extremely large it took many slaves and the use of the materials that surround them such as sand. There is a constant use of scale in drafting class. When working with Pat’s Chair I have had to draw a series of different views that had to be drawn into a smaller scale. I also needed to include a scale figure. In architecture "the older buildings provide many clues as to their size relative to human beings..."(Roth 76). By looking at the building with people standing around it you will get a sense of the buildings size rather than if you just see the building. Learning how to do quick sketches of people will help you if you are trying to show the scale of a piece of furniture or architecture.
Unity
Unity is as always a huge part of any project. You want everything you create to be unified so it flows well and attracts people. The wall section that I built needed to be unified with the artifact I had made. Hatshepsut’s pyramid was unified in the way the columns were placed. They are all the same and run across the front of the pyramid, this unifies the whole pyramid together. Something that unifies all of the Egyptian pyramids is the hieroglyphics and relief designs carved onto the walls, “…they were often covered with thin sheets of gold or electrum, or paint was applied thickly.”(Blakemore 11) This was something that most pyramids had incorporated somehow.
Section
Section has been a big part of this weeks discussions we made a wall section, that was something new to me and I found it very helpful. For Pat’s chair I did a section view, which is basically cutting the chair in half and drawing it. I did this from two different angles and pouched where the edges were cut. In Greece there are three main parts to a building. The first is the porch which is the gateway to the rest of the building. The court is positioned somewhere in front of this and it is a gathering spot for religious ceremonies and government meetings. The final part is the hearth which is where the important person of the house will be. These are all different sections of the building that have different purposes and different uses. The Temple of Amon at Karnak is an example of a building with a porch, court and hearth.
Boundaries
The biggest demonstration of boundaries that I noticed throughout the week was in history class. We talked about how the Egyptian Pharaohs would build pyramids. They decorated them with polished limestone and accentuated them with a gold peak. This was used to make the pyramid stand out but also to let the commoners of Egypt know that they were not to enter the pyramid. It set the boundary for them they knew where they could go and where they could not. After the thirty -first dynasty in Egypt “The world was no longer viewed as changeless…”(Roth 209).It was now okay to change architecture and create new ideas this broke a boundary for architecture. In any project there are boundaries that must be followed if there were not boundaries nothing would be unified. The Great Wall of China sets boundaries, it runs for miles setting the boundaries for China, it has served its purpose well for many years.
Vignette
A vignette is a picture that captures a moment. This is a scene that tells a story and really conveys an atmosphere. In Suzanne’s drawing class this week we have been avidly working with vignettes everything from objects to people. I found that I really enjoying drawing vignettes and then adding watercolor to illuminate the drawing. In ancient Egypt “ornamental detail was often associated with symbolism.”(Blakemore 25). These pictures are displayed on the walls of pyramids across Egypt and they all tell a story which is what any kind of vignette does.
Summary
A vignette and a section are a lot alike they are both drawings that only show a part of something yet still convey the point you are trying to make. The purpose of a vignette or section is to tell a portion of a story and show you visually a scene. A vignette can be found in history for example the Acropolis in Greece has buildings such as the Parthenon and the Erechtheion that help to tell a story all in the way they are placed on the hill and the details that go into the orders. The scale of the buildings has a great deal to do with this as well. The Parthenon is the largest building on the Acropolis because it was Athena's house and she was the goddess. Boundaries are found in everything. In architecture walls are usually the main example of a boundary. The Great Wall of China keeps people out unless they are let in and in drawing and drafting your boundaries are the end of the page. There are always ways to unify, for example when painting a vignette if you use a color in one part of the drawing then u should use it somewhere else as well to unify the vignette.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Opus week two
Illuminate- While using watercolor this week in Suzanne’s class I learned how adding a bit of color to any drawing can make a huge improvement in its quality. We had an assignment where we drew three people’s artifacts. I drew them in black pen to begin with and then went back and added watercolor. I found this made my drawings pop off of the page and look more professional.
In history class this week we talked about artificial mountains and curving lines in the earth. These places such as Ziggurat in Mesopotamia, the Great Wall of China, and the curved snake figure in the Ohio Valley illuminate our world. They accentuate what is already there, the ground, just as watercolor does for a drawing and just as good lettering can improve a drafting assignment.
Light of course illuminates the world around us without light we could not see, it enhances our vision. "Our principal receptors for sensing the environment are our eyes, and the light illuminating that environment is critical for the information we recieve." (Roth 85) Without illumination we would not see the architectual environments that same way and therefore we would not be seeing them to their greatest potential.
Idiom- An idiom is something that appears to be one thing but can stand for something else. A great example for this week would be in studio when we made artifacts. The artifacts we made were supposed to be wearable and something you might find in everyday life but they needed to have an unseen meaning.
An even better example is how in some houses today certain aspects of the house are used purely for decoration. The front door is one of these. You have the front door but you don’t really use it, its just there because we know that every house is supposed to have a front door although most people use the garage door. The formal living room is another example most families only use this space when they have company over not for every day use.
Material- Materials are a big part of design. Choosing material can make or break a design project. Our artifacts were due Friday and as I watched
the critique materials were a big part of the discussion. Some chose material because of the way it made them feel in relation to their fairy tale and some chose material because they said it meant something. The professors did not seem to like the idea of choosing material colors because they mean something.We are learning about Egypt in history and as we talked about the pyramids at Giza we discussed how they would use polished limestone and gold points on the top of the pyramid to make it stick out. They chose materials that they knew would be very different from the sandy terrain of Egypt and would make the pyramids very noticeable from a far. These pyramids housed pharaohs and were made with the vibrant materials so that people would know to stay away from them.
Zoser became the Pharaoh of Egypt in 2750 B.C. and he "...substituted limestone throughout for the mud brick, bundled reeds, and wood that had been used in royal buildings up to that time...he literally invented the pyramid." (Roth 195) By utilizing the materials around him Zoser created one of the Wonders of the World.
Commodity, Firmness, Delight- In history class this week we have learned a great deal about Commodity, Firmness and delight. These three things are very important to design and with out the three, the design is not complete. Commodity is “…the functional arrangement if rooms and spaces so that there is no hindrance to use and so that a building is perfectly adjusted to its site.”(Roth 11) The space needs to be utilitarian and functional. Firmness is how well the building will stand up; will it stand the test of time? Firmness implies physical structure or “…the literal bones of the building.” (Roth 25) The Egyptians were the first to use a Post and Lintel system for structure. The posts are vertical to the ground and the Lintel runs from post to post horizontally. Delight is positive reaction to the aesthetic portion of architecture. By utilizing a number of details such as positive and negative space and proximity you can create delight. After all “life is not life at all without delight.”(Roth 67)
Summary- In Summary this week was about the elements of design. All topics above are elements that need to be included in design for it to truly succeed. We utilized these words and their meaning in all classes this week. In every exercise we did this week these principals of design came into play. We always need to think about the materials we use, the things we can do to illuminate and object and the creative ideas we can come up with to make a design abstract and make it be an idiom. Finally these three things are part of bigger categories commodity, Firmness and Delight.
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