architecture studio 102
DESCRIPTION
Portfolio MidtermTRANSCRIPT
Midterm Portfolio
Julio Soriano
Arch 102
Spring 2013 - CCSF
Developing a Conceptual Language
“Complexity vs. simplicity”
“Communicative vs. mute”
“Expressive vs. neutral”
Functionality:
A Bridge
- Connecting two sides of the gorge
Overnight facility
- Sleeping room (30 Hikers)
- Outdoor covered common area (30-50 hikers)
- One private lookout
- Secure backpack storage area (200 sf)
- Wood storage (200 sf)
- Restroom Facility (200 sf)
- Overflow area
- Helicopter landing path (non for commercial purposes)
My design language communicates a conversation between the site and the structure.
One system of rectangular
shapes penetrating each
other.
Sketching ideas
that create
another
dimension.
Integration of two systems.
Curvilinear shapes interacting
with geometrical shapes.
Exploration of two
different systems:
- Geometrical layers
- Curvilinear elements
PROS
-Three systems were
incorporated.
-Clean and well crafted
3D model.
CONS
- Gesture model doesn’t show
unity.
-Elements are imposed to each
other.
-There is not conversation
between the elements.
PROS
- Model fits perfectly in a 6” by 6” box.
- Well crafted abstract model.
CONS
- Closed gesture model
¼” geometrical layers
distributed to create a
curvilinear composition.
The Starry Night Dutch post impressionist
Vincent Van Gogh
Richard Serra
American minimalistic sculptor and
video artist from San Francisco
CONS
-My initial response was to build
a bridge that will connect both
sides.
PROS
-Sketching ideas visualized the
construction of the model.
- I used a monochromatic white
paper to develop the first site
model.
1. How to create a design that will evoke transformation and growth?
2. How to maintain unity between the entrance, the bridge and the overnight structure?
3. How will the structure create a sense of wonder?
4. How to build a structure that will be functional and balanced with the site?
5. Hiker’s questions: What is a bridge? What is there? Why are we here now?
6. What is the purpose of crossing the bridge?
7. Will the hikers experience enlightenment during, before and after crossing the bridge?
8. What determines a hiker’s next journey?
9. How will the design transport the hikers to another dimension?
10. How to define pathways for each hiker to choose before entering the structure?
1. What is the meaning of a gorge?
2. What determine a new journey?
3. What are the spatial experiences in a
landmark?
The Gorge is cutting through the rocky plain.
Temperate and climate (warm days and cool days).
The geography is red rock (similar to the American Southwest).
Westerly wind patterns from the lower plateau hit the wall of the high plateau.
Low Humidity due to the dry surfaces.
Questions:
- What kind of soil is present on both plateaus?
- What is the wild life of the gorge?
- What is the condensation and precipitation elements of the gorge?
What is wind?
Wind is the movement of air over the surface of the Earth, from areas of high pressure to low pressure. It’s these differences in temperature, together with the rotation of the planet that creates the wind.
Wind Erosion
By deflation - Lifting and removal of loose sand and dust particles from the surface.
By abrasion – Sandblasting action of windblown sand.
Westerly winds are prominent in the Southwest of America.
Earth’s Dynamic Systems – W. Kenneth Hamblin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westerlies
Earth’s Dynamic Systems – W. Kenneth Hamblin
PROS
- Duality of two geometrical shapes that
are side-intersected by two curvilinear
elements.
- Use of monochromatic paper creates a
unified model.
CONS
- Small model size makes
construction lines hard to
see.
CONS
- Lack of new material into
the gestures models.
PROS
- There is conversation
between the curvilinear
lines and geometrical
shapes.
CONS
-Treating wood as paper is not
helping the constructed result.
- Wood was cut as if it was
paper and didn’t respond
flexibly.
PROS
-Learning to use a new material for
model construction.
-Photographic studies capture the
essence of the model.
Pros
- The photographic studies yielded complicated after story.
PROS
-Wood was better
incorporated
than previous models.
- Planer elements were added.
CONS
- Barcodes weren't deleted prior
to construction of the model.
PROS - Wood elements are well implemented as a structural unit. - Openings were visual clues for exploration. -The force and play between pentagons is
highlighted.
CONS -Metal elements needed better integration.
PROS
- Sketches had comprehensive
conceptual quality.
- Spiral movement was visually
central in sketch and model.
CONS
- Metal doesn’t reflect complexity.
- Spiral was simplified.
PROS
- Concentric lines well
highlighted in sketch and
model.
- Exterior line/wall was also
façade and structural.
CONS
- Model has a closed
language.
- Core line not integrated well.
PROS
- Openings were incorporated.
- Geometric and Curvilinear systems
establish a new form.
- Photographic studies expose new
gesture model possibilities.
CONS
- Monochromatic paper limits the
narrative of the model.
PROS
- Use of new materials: wire,
wood and plastic.
- Model expresses complexity by
showing surface variations.
CONS
- Wire metal is being tortured.
- New side openings are
needed.
PROS
- A central spiral approach
was evolved from previous
model work.
CONS
- There is not unity between
the wire, wood and plastic.
- Materials lack firmness and
resistance to wind.
PROS
- Materials are placed in hierarchical
relevance.
- The geometrical and curvilinear
systems are juxtaposed.
CONS
- Model is closing onto itself.
- Model is self protective and
limited to outside influence.
PROS
- Abstract model shows a
dual expression.
- Biomorphic lines
penetrate geometrical
system.
CONS
- Internal circulation elements need
to reveal the whole model.
- External isn’t dynamic and
doesn’t reflect internal
movements.
PROS
- There is cohesion between the
paper and the wooden planer
system.
CONS
- Size is too small. There will
be an increase of 50% on
the future gesture models.
PROS
- There is order between the planer
components.
- Transparency is well utilized.
CONS
- Using gun glue create a less crafted
model construction.
PROS
- Model demonstrates an expanding
approach, creating areas of space.
- Horizontality of the model creates a
linear move.
CONS
- Curvilinear systems are superficial, not
penetrating or covering the frame.
PROS
- Frame system is dominating the
curvilinear system.
- There is an opportunity for expansion.
CONS
- Curvilinear plastic element doesn’t
keep the whole model firm.
PROS
- Model successfully demonstrates
resistance due to the distribution of
wood, wire and paper.
CONS
- Curvilinear elements are closing the
gesture model.
Here, above, I am looking at the
way the wind approaches
plateaus and the way the lower
plateau digests the wind.
Below, I am sectioning
the edges of the
plateaus to initiate an
exploration of how
structure meets earth.
Left: Diagonal cut to enter
the gorge to embrace
gravity.
Right: Occupying the sky
from the high plateau and
from the bottom of the
gorge to the lower plateau
level.
Left: Occupying the gorge from the
lower plateau and into the gorge.
Right: Occupying the sky, earth and
the whole gorge.
I made six sections to explore density and
the way westerlies (winds) distribute after
hitting the lower and higher plateaus.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Using the imprecision of charcoal I was able to get a better sense of the
flow of the Westerlies, the way the winds disperse and leave the
articulation of the plateaus. Drawing my models connected structure,
wind, and plateaus.
1 2
3 4
Gorge: the conclusion of my research is the gorge. Inevitably the gorge
captures and restricts, so building a structure that delimits restraint is the goal. The escape of the Westerlies is the inspiration fed by the culmination of my architectural knowledge gained in this class up to this point: Midterm.
Developing a discipline, time management and organizing set of skills helped me to develop my design process.
Comments
- Earth’s Dynamic Systems – Seventh Edition, W. Kenneth Hamblin and Eric H. Christiansen
- Voices in the Wind – Alex Whitey
- National Geographic - Grand Canyon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2X4U1mQzoE
- We Rode the Wind – Jane B. Katz
- Nova – Wind http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/space/earth-from-space.html
- Daniel Libeskind http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEkDosanxGk
- Moray – South America http://www.qosqo.com
- Anasazi – North America http://www.cpluhna.nau.edu/People/anasazi.htm
- Westerlies – Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westerlies
Julio Soriano
Arch 102 – Spring 2013
Professor: Andrew Chandler
City College of San Francisco
What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?
Vincent van Gogh