Week One - Words and Section Sketches

Hi everyone,

This is just a quick post to go over what is due and what you are meant to do this week with some tips on how to progress.

Sections

As you know you need to create 18 sketched sections. These sections are to include two spaces, one at least partially below ground (or below the datum line) and one floating above ground (above the datum). These spaces are workshops for the two clients you have selected and the space is informed by the key words you have selected for clients.

These spaces can be abstract, they should be driven by your selected words. However, you should give consideration to how these spaces can function as workshops for the client. As such think about the size and scale of the space, the usability and access.

In the coming weeks we will be developing these abstract sections in spaces for your selected designers. This will include a shared middle zone where the two designers will showcase their work.

At this point, the sections do not need to be overly developed but should give an indication of the conceptual and spatial drivers (your words + the designers requirements). I have done a really quick sketch section and attached it below, to give you an idea of how simple it can be.

The top form uses the word ooze to create a space with elements that appear to droop away from the centre. it also has a flat section for potentially working on the cars, a lowered section for private work and a small section by the opening for greeting customers. There are more oozing elements beyond the section cut that begin to communicate the depth of the space. The bottom space is full of sharp overlapping spikes to represent the word needle. The overlapped spikes end up producing a series of different small spaces, this was done to represent the variety of different work Trent Jansen does - each space would be for a different type of making. The hatch used to indicate the ground line is done with a pointed arrow to play on the needle prompt and create the sensation of a harsh space that Jansen would furnish with his luxuriously layered furniture. Again, this is just a quick example and I expect that you will all come up with something far more interesting.

Words

A few of you have approached me with some questions about the words you have selected. I am to have individual conversations with anyone who is unsure about the words they have selected but I thought I would give you some generic advice here.

Try to pick words that have physical or spatial connotations, this makes it easier translate that word into a space. In my rough section I chose the words: Ooze as the verb and Needle as the noun, because for me both words have a physical sensation attached to them. Ooze gives me the impression of something thick and viscous slowly dripping or spreading. Whilst needle describes a physical element that is often drawn upon in architecture such as the 111 West 57th Street Tower by Shop Architects.

It is not mandatory to chose words that have tangible or physical imagery associated to them but it does make the act of translating them to a drawing easier. For instance, the word nice is an adjective but does not commonly conjure physical sensations but rather phenomenological ones. These can be harder to convert to sections, but potentially equally interesting if done well.

The role of language is very important in Architecture so this is a great exercise to get you thinking about the way words can have physical overtones.

Past Examples

I have also included a few student examples from last year below so that you can see what has been done previously if you need any inspiration.

https://xiaoqliu.blogspot.com/2019/02/design-concept_28.html

https://gohjingyong.blogspot.com/2019/02/arch-1101-experiment-1.html

Russell has also posted some great examples on his website.

For Class

Complete all 18 sketched sections and develop the section we discussed in class as a 3D model in sketchup. If you need clarification on what to develop send me an email.

I hope this helped and was not too overwhelming.

Cheers,