Communications Reflection.

The communications course has been a very beneficial and valuable course for me due to the range of skills and techniques i could explore as either something completely new to me or something I would like to further develop. Such use of the electives in a single course gave me a sense of freedom and therefore interest in work I decided to undertake. Furthermore, by braking the course down, it maintained a sense a freshness and although a lot of work, when i look back on all the work i was able to complete in a single semester, I appreciate the variety of opportunities given to me. Even though the electives were very different in terms of the work we produced, i found it interesting to see how the principles and concepts behind each one remained the same. Therefore overall, it become one coherent course which i constantly felt I was developing in.

The biggest challenge for me was definitely time, with all the final works coming down to the last week of the elective to complete. However, with such a restricted time frame, i found that the course did very well to remain clear, structured and direct which made it possible. I also realise that this comes down to the very nature of the architectual profession and is something i will just have to accept. It is however amazing to see the standard of work that can be achieved with a little creativity, innovation and basically acceptance of the work at hand and then getting down and dirty!

Architectural Drawing- Session 3

Riva San Vitale House- Mario Botta
Lake Lugano, Ticino, Switzerland.

The "tower", virtually defined by four corner piers and carved with geometric cuts through which the light penetrates, is organized along the vertical axis in a succession of different architectural situations and rhythms. The spatial interpenetration between interior and exterior thus gives shape to what is referred to as the "filter zone".

- www.botta.ch -

For my project i set out to explore this notion of the "filter zone" throughout the house and thus form a direct contrast between the solid and void spaces. I went about this through the observation of the axonometric drawings and then linking these to the plans and section to communicate the void spaces, and the elevations to explore the 'spatial interpenetration' into the building. Using a direct contrast between black (void)and white (solid), i also became aware of the positive spaces throughout the building by which these voids where cut out.



In terms of my presentation, the verticality of the building is highlighted by the two defining black strips which further represented the idea of positive and negative space. Just like the white space in between two black rectangles is a space in itself, the contrasting black and white further represents a contrast between the habitable and non-habitable spaces of the building. I kept the presentation simple both in terms of drawing and layout, but remained very precise, linear and structured. It seemed the less i did with the drawings, the more effective i could illustrate all the contrasting aspects that the building offers in terms of its overall design strategy.



The two point perspective exercise helped me to understand how we can use such a strategy to place buildings into foreign landscapes and get a real feel for how they would be perceived according to their new context. I think that this was the most valuable exercise for me and is a strategy i will use throughout my course. I was able to explore my drafting technique further by using a number of different leads and rendering techniques and also the importance of scale in terms of people and surrounding context as a whole in relation to the building.



The plan, section, and elevation exercise was quite a difficult exercise for me but i found it valuable when i realised how such a close observational skill was required to achieve the task successfully. Such observation of dimensions and form of the object required delicate line work to produce an accurate representation considering the free-hand nature of the task.



The shadow casting exercise help me to understand the importance of shadows in elevation to create a sense of depth and spatiality. Learning the art of doing this is a skill i will use throughout my course in my drawing after realising and appreciating what a difference it makes to my overall drawing.

Architecture in Motion- Session 2

An Ineffable truth from the Cavernous to the Sublime

I watch the pieces scattered over the page come together and like a jigsaw puzzle they unite to form a single image. What will I make of this? For the staircase whose size has scared me for a while, right now it appears more like a depth that beckons to be discovered. Step after step, I witness the journey before me unfold. Like a mountain, I watch it rise until its peak. It is here it seems to become stuck. Eager to move on, tension builds and I feel a break through is on the agenda. Yes, a break is required. Only then I begin to undertake my journey up the staircase; its dark narrow passage intimidates me; all I can see is a closed door that threatens my path. However, I choose not to see it as a closed door, but more an opportunity. An opportunity I will take. So, upon reaching the top I open the door, and find all that I have been looking for- an indescribable sense of joy is felt as I move into the new space. My eyes adjust, and the answer becomes more defined, until reaching an ultimate definition. It is through this I see the light, and the truth is revealed.



Architecture in motion has introduced me to a new way of engaging my imagination. In doing so, i am more clearly and effectively able to engage with the experience of spaces that i have in mind and portray a strong sense of spacial and emotive quality to my ideas. A more dynamic approach to communication also allows for a new dimension of experience, particularly through changing light and elevation so that we can gain a better idea of form and how this directly affects the overall composition of the space we have in mind.

Model Making- Session 1

Garage Extension through Selection Removal Strategy.

My house is located within The Hills district in the suburb of Cherrybrook. This area is known to attract families with children due to the availability of schools and services around. I moved into my house 8 years ago for this reason but of course, as time has gone on, myself and other children within my street have aged and are now driving cars. My once quite street now has become a carpark! This was the problem i looked to address in the workshop by proposing an extension on my existing house so that i could have my own garage for my car. I therefore began the session with making a 1:100 scale model of the south side of my existing house and then combining this with an image of my house to keep in mind the context in which my design would unfold.






Through selective removal as my strategy for the transformation, I completely ripped the existing garage off my house. This allowed me to work with a blank canvas so i could extend the area of my house and in doing so, create a new roof line. The roof i came up with was inspired by a Peter Eisenman Arch with beams that allowed more light and ventilation into the existing spaces.





The modeling workshop helped me to understand how effective a model can be in portraying a sense of form and space and the importance of physical model making in communicating ideas with a tangible quality. I also found it interesting to see the level of opportunity that can arise from making models and how this can have a major impact in the design process. Most importantly though, it encourage me to use my imagination and understand how i can embrace models as a innovative design tool to be creative in three dimensions which previously i was quite foreign to.