AENG 351 - Project 1

Jean Nouvel

Beyond Style

Project Description

• In recent decades of increasing shifts in ideological and socio-cultural trends, architecture continues to be a vehicle of pluralistic expression. As a young architect developing design skills becomes a challenge of finding your own voice among thecrowd. But, as with any new skill, you are best positioned to succeed when you build on the successes of others.In order to do this architecturally, one must counteract the common trends of “stylistic”, superficial approaches, and learn to understand architecture as a language. This language is such that it permits dialogue between the user- with his or her functional, socio-cultural, spiritual and philosophical needs- within the multi-disciplinary context of technology, climate, environmental awareness, economics and history- as manifested in the built form.• With this in mind this first assignment is to “read” the language of contemporary architecture, through a critical visual and graphic review of the works of today’s most prominent and influential architects. Each student will be assigned an architect to review and is required to prepare a presentation summarizing the architectural philosophy and vocabulary of their chosen architect. In the first stage of the project the student must present a comprehensive review of their understanding of their architect’s vision using language/theme/inspiration/gesture boards and collages, time lines and precedent matrix “readings”.At the end of this process each student will be required to develop a program and design a specific project in the “spirit” of their chosen architect, taking on their philosophical, ideological and architectural role. This project will be a residential single-family residence prototype designed “by” the architect for a residential development compound in Egypt. • Each prototype should include the following program:

- 3 bedrooms, including one master suite- 1 master bath, 1 shared bath, 1 guest bath- family/living room- office/studio or guest room- kitchen- maid’s quarters including bedroom, service bathroom, laundry- storage/pantry- reception area- dining room- appropriate outdoor terraces- any additional services

•Through role-play, the student is required to address how their “role” architect would build in this context- environmental, geographic, socio-cultural, political and historical.

Understanding the Architect

Mood Board

The Design

Concept

The Design

Concept

The Design

Drawings

Ground Floor Plan First Floor Plan

The Design

Drawings

Section A-A

Site Plan

The Design

Model

The Design

Model

The Design

Model

The Design

Model