Arch 101 Final Learning Portfolio
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Transcript of Arch 101 Final Learning Portfolio
N I N O E S T R A D A
A R C H 1 0 1 | C I T Y C O L L E G E O F S A N F R A N C I S C O
5 . 2 1 . 1 3
FINAL LEARNING PORTFOLIO
ARCH 101: FINAL PROJECT BRIEF
“Installed: Form + Space
Transformed to Site”
Description
Explore and develop small-scaled environmental installation designs on an individual
basis; and then in teams of 3-5 members, select their site, collaboratively design and
install their full-size work on the hillside, adjacent to the courtyard. students are to
incorporate appropriate design concepts and principles; and utilize tools and
techniques introduced throughout the semester.
Site Significant Aspects
Landing at stairs
View between two hills to the distance
southeast
Existing tree
Site Analysis
Analyzing the site we realize as a group that
we wanted to incorporate the views of the
two hillsides and the soccer field into our
design. Due to the site’s unstable ground,
we decided as a team to create an
outward projecting design that goes with
the slope but then ventures out to create a
composition that stands out and makes a
statement.
Since the location of our site is nearby the landing area of the two stairways we
wanted the entrance of our model to begin adjacent to it.
Analyzing the site stirred up many ideas and possibilities of what we can create but
we were mainly inspired by St. Peter Square and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling water.
With St. Peter Square we were inspired how
the site forms a central open space were
people congregate and interact. The
square’s structural forms create a unity and
balance to the composition that we wanted
to resemble with our design.
Inspiration
Falling Water’s overall structure motivated
us to create a composition that follows
the same design approaches the house
embodies. The house projects out into
space that creates drama that responds
well within the space and the manner in
which the house gives the impression that
it naturally grows from the site.
Design Iterations
Figuring out a design that would best utilize
the site and maintain originality was harder
than we expected. Although we had a
general idea of what we were trying to
achieve we weren’t sure how to get there.
Sketching and building design proposals
was a long and frustrating process. I wasn’t
sure whether or not to make our designs
curvilinear, linear, long, small, tall, etc. I
would bring a few models to class but I
didn’t see much enthusiasm from the rest of
the members. Many of the ideas I wanted to
achieve such as creating a design that
incorporated kinetic architecture or making
the design curvilinear didn’t sit well with the
other members. As a group we all had to
make compromises with each of our designs
in order to achieve our overall vision.
1st Iteration
2nd Iteration
3rd Iteration 4th Iteration
5th Iteration 6th Iteration
After a few design proposals we all decided
to make our composition linear to blend
with its surrounding such as the Batmale
building, soccer field, the stairs, etc. We also
decided to make the model linear due to
the fact that we all wanted our material to
be wood making it easier to work with the
material.
We all liked each other’s ideas but we all
agree to attempt to combine my last two
iterations into one for the final proposal.
Everyone seemed to like the asymmetrical
shape of the model as well as the ideas
behind them such as sectioning, mirroring,
and transformation. We wanted to combine
the framing from the 7th iteration with the
point and flooring of the 8th iteration. We all
also liked the idea of skinning the model
with open spaces to create interesting and
compelling shadows.
7th Iteration
8th Iteration
Final Iteration
The final iteration incorporates all the ideas as a group we been building on
for the past few weeks. We wanted to create a structure that naturally grows with the
site. The entrance adjacent to the stair landing projects out that eventually hangs over
the slope creating a dramatic structure. The framing and support of the walls are all
different sizes and angles yet they set a felt of equilibrium and unity through
asymmetrical balance. There is a sequence of progression in the framing that
transitions from a distorted arrangement of parts into a dominating overhang that
point to our desire view. The model has a lot of open space in order to take
advantage of the natural surrounding around the country site and give an impression
of openness and liberation. There is also contrast with the verticality of the walls that
stress on hierarchic and the surface plane that emphasize on length and yet they
mirror one another and meet at the same point.
Challenges
Transportation of Materials
Cost
Cutting and Forming
Weather
Finding an appropriate time for all of
us to meet up
Finishing on time
Construction Process
Tools
Power Saw
Cordless Power Drill
Materials
2 x 4 x 8 Premium Kiln Dried Whitewood
Stud
Deck Mate #9 x 3 in. Tan Polymer-Plated
Flat-Head Star Deckmate Wood Screws (1
lb.-Pack)
Deck Mate #9 x 2-1/2 in. Tan Polymer-
Plated Flat-Head Star-Drive Deckmate
Wood Screws (1 lb.-Pack)
Within our group the only person who’s had
any experienced with construction was
Connor, raising huge concerns whether or
not we would have enough experienced to
create a model as difficult as ours. Connor
suggested we ought to create a deck with 2
x 4’s in order to achieve our vision of a
composition that projects out of the slope.
We bought all our materials at the Home
Depot located in Colma. None of us had a
truck and most of us didn’t drive to school
besides Connor so we had to use his car as
a means of transporting our materials.
Connor’s Mustang was only able to handle
eight 2 x 4’s at a time so we had to make
multiple trips. In addition, we also bought 2
and 3 inch screws to attach the wood,
gloves to protect our hands, goggles, and
reusable corded earplugs which we never
used.
We began by starting off with the framing. Since
we wanted our design to grow naturally with the site, we
didn’t want to flatten out the flooring but instead place the
frame directly on top of it. Since the frame was position on
top of the tam park the frame was very unstable but
Connor advised us to not worry since it would stiffen up as
soon as we began placing the 2 x 4’s on top of it.
We wanted the design to be angular, linear, and
big thus we created a frame with an irregular shape. Since
the frame was so big we had to connect pieces to it
through different angles, arrays, and points that made it
seemed very radical. As a group we decided that the
deck should go in a diagonal direction to coincide with
the unorthodox shape of the frame.
When we started building the deck we
couldn’t simply just place the wood on top of it
and screw it on for one main reason, the frame
was still unstable. We had to add more pieces
within the frame that connect to other parts of
the frame to stiffen it up and then screw in the 2
x 4. This process continued on all throughout
the frame that cause us to spend more time on
the deck then we had hoped. The process
could have been quicker if it weren’t for the
fact that the cordless power drills at school
kept running out of battery. As soon as the
battery died we couldn’t keep working on it
thus having Edith bringing in her dad’s drill as
well as Connor buying his very own.
At first we wanted to create sectioning to
lead people into the point but we figure it
would take too much time. We choose to
create one depressed plane that leads you
to the point overlooking the view. For this
aspect of the design Connor suggested we
change the direction of the deck from
diagonal to vertical to create contrast and
to catch people’s attention that would
cause them to walk in that direction.
When the deck was finished it was pretty stiff and sturdy except for the point. The
point still wasn’t as strong as we hoped for but there wasn’t much we could do to fix
it. We wanted the point to cantilevers out without any support to create a dramatic
and dynamic design so we had to settle for the fact that it was a bit unstable.
We began placing the support of the walls beside
the frame to avoid having to drill holes on the deck
and to give a more aesthetic appeal. We wanted
the walls, similar to the model, to naturally transform
and grow from these small scale walls to this
hierarchical structure that point to the southeast
view that mirrors the deck. We also wanted some
aspects of the walls smaller than others because we
wanted to create a frame on top on it and with
these small angular walls it would create something
asymmetrical, dynamic and interesting.
While working on the walls we decided to create a few benches since the structure
is so huge and because we wanted people to be able to spend time there and
socialize. We wanted the site be a gathering place that’s convenient and
tranquilizing where people can eat their lunch or hang around while they wait for
their class, ride, friends, etc. The benches were pretty straight forward we use pieces
of wood that we weren’t’ using anymore and connected two 2x 4’s for the seat, two
2 x 4’s for the support and one 2 x 4 underneath where you seat for extra support.
We created three benches each going diagonal following the deck and each
framing a different view.
With our design we wanted to create accidental encounters, provoke
others to appreciate everyday life and create something unique to that site.
We decided to create something big that would catch people’s attentions
and cause them to wander through our site. Also having the site by the stairs people
would pass though it as they go on with their everyday routines and would
acknowledge our design. We wanted the design to be approachable and
welcoming thus deciding to create a sense of space and openness to the
composition.
Having the site on the countryside we wanted people to enjoy experiencing
the site by recognizing their surroundings. The composition is encircled with trees,
plants, nature, and beautiful views so we wanted to encompass all these elements
within the design. The design looks out to the southeast view pointing towards the
soccer field, and the two hillsides creating a frame view that people can take
pleasure, reflex and relax. We wanted people who experienced the site to be able to
forget about their everyday troubles and to live in that moment in time.
Since our design is on a slope we wanted to create a composition that only
works within that space. We wanted the design to fit cohesively with the site so that if
you place it anywhere else it wouldn’t function the same way.
Design Intentions
Narrative The most significant aspect of our design is the point that overhangs the top of the entire
structure. Everything that is connected to it leads people to that sight of this hierarchical overhang that
points in the direction of the southeast view. Another significant aspect is the depressed plane on the
deck that also points in the southeast direction that mimics the point that overhangs it. The point that sits
on the deck is a single experience design in a fashion where only one person can be on the edge of the
point. The point is meant to give that individual a place where he can gather his thoughts, reflect, and
escape to the breath taking views. Another important aspect is the deck where the entire structure rest
on. Without it everything else wouldn’t function with the same dramatic effect. The deck gives a chance
for people to live and emerge within that space and experience something different that they aren’t able
to find anywhere else on the ccsf campus.
A first time viewer would see the daunting huge point that can be seen from multiple
directions as you get nearby the area. As they approach would notice this big deck that they can walk
on. They would feel curiosity, walk in, and get emerge to the complexity of the frame and how it draws
your eyes to follow it leading to the point where they would walk towards. The audience would
experience humility because of the environment surrounding them. They are gathered around trees,
plants, little creatures, gazing views that allows them to appreciate the little things in life. They can lose
themselves being around nature and forget for that one moment whether it be a second or a few minutes
of their worries.
Our design is meant to represent growth and transformation that the audience can relate to.
Most of the audience is college students and each of them can acquaint themselves with this concept.
Every student in ccsf is learning and growing to someday becoming something more than what they are
and the site represents that by the walls starting off small and gradually growing to the point that it
becomes. The composition represents change. Change is scary and not easy but if you take it step by
step you can achieve it. Change can be a good thing if you’re heading towards the right direction such
as following your hopes and dreams. We grasp that idea by having the point a single vulnerable
experience where the audience can see the southeast view overlooking the city contemplate their
desires and attempt to possess it by having the climax where you’re on the edge of the composition
feeling as though you are at the highest point you can reach and grasping for more, in a sense reaching
for sky.
Strengths
Good Craftsmanship
Simple yet maintains complexity; not attempting to do too much
The frame creates interesting shape and pattern
Can see the rhythm and transformation from the framework/walls
Weaknesses
The deck overpowers the framework and overhang; your eyes wander
to the deck rather than the southeast view
The deck isn’t very interesting; no spacing, no change in rhythm, very
static
The structure isn’t as interesting from the outside as is from the inside
Jury’s Critique
First half of design studio was rough, I didn’t have any knowledge of design
language or theories and hearing Jerry go in such much depth into it was intimidating.
Starting off applying these methods was a frustrating experience. Thinking of what to
create and spending countless hours trying to come up with ideas and applying them
in an effective way was a lot harder than I though. Building models were no picnic
either, getting cuts from your exacto knife, burn marks from the hot glue gun, or losing
sleep in trying to redesign your model because of what you design isn’t physically
possible. But I believe the hardest part was taking the criticism, you spend so much
time working on your model that it becomes a part of you and when Jerry or other
students disapprove of your work it was hard to take. Sometimes people weren’t able
to see the intent you were trying to accomplish within your design but only through
constructive criticism and practice can you improve in that aspect of design, so in
many ways it was more helpful than harmful even though it may not seemed that
way.
The second half of design studio was the real test where we implement
everything we learned so far and apply it to our final project. Acknowledging that we
only had to develop one design within a group and simply improve it each week
seemed much easier that the previous half but in many ways it was just as stressful.
Coming up with a design where people can physically interact in was tricky. We had
to do a lot of research to figure out what exactly makes a great space and what
causes people to want to stay there rather than just walk pass it. We had to examine
people’s behaviors and to a certain degree their needs such as making it convenient
and comfortable for them.
Final Thoughts
Moreover, working with a group gave each of us a firsthand experienced
what it would be like to work in an architecture firm. Firms often don’t have one person
working on a building but multiples arguing over what they ought or oughtn’t to do
which was the same case with this assignment. Groups members trying to figure out
how to combine the best ideas, making sacrifices and letting go of egos in order to
pursuit the best composition we can possibly make together. In addition, it also
reminded us why with we don’t like working with groups such as team members not
showing up, not doing any work, lack of responsibility, and having to pick up the slack
in order to finish the assignment on time.
The final project was truly our first attempt in creating a space with design
concepts where people would experience. Even though throughout the semester we
practice these concepts, they were more like baby steps leading up to this point.
Rather than designing a space arbitrary the way we want it, it cause us to be selfless
and think of others and what they want in a space and we as designers to make it as
comfortable and enjoyable for them. The final project was a good learning experience
in the process of design such as what gets cut off, what remains, and how ideas get
developed even deeper. It also allow us to get familiar with the struggles of making a
deadline and working as fast as you can to reach it exposing us to reality and how the
work environment would be like.
Final Thoughts
Overall I went from being a spectator of design to actually practicing it. I
learned dense design concepts and theories that at times overwhelmed me but little
by little learned to apply them into my models. I figure out how to build small scale
models and communicate my intentions through my compositions. However, the
biggest thing I learned in this class is to critically analyze and examine the world
around me. This class caused me to view things differently and notice little subtleties
that I once would avoid. I walk around buildings, houses, sculptures no longer just
seeing but studied them, why did they do this?, what caused them to make this and
in the fashion that they did?, what emotions are they evoking?, and what message
are they trying to communicate to me? Practicing design for a semester caused me
to appreciate not just architecture but all forms of art such as music, literature, film,
etc. because of my experience I understand now how the artist is taking risks and
putting themselves out there which I can now appreciate.
Final Thoughts