Inhabit - Owen G. Glenn Building Project

This project was about us taking our thrash-hold [sic] project (see last entry)and translating and transforming it so that it was "appropriate" for O.G.G.B.(the business school building on the UOA campus).

From my last project I took the idea of vertical or overhead grounding conditions and the idea of creating a study space into this design. I used these elements to comment on the public nature of the undergraduate spaces and to create a new, more intimate relationship between a single human body and the architecture (O.G.G.B. is a massive building and the only place with a intimate relationship with the induvidual is the bathrooms). The site is under the fairly private skydecks on levels 3 and above that are available primarily to post graduate students (such is the hierarchical nature of the building. The site is also consequnetly interacting with the large glass wall of the main atrium between levels 1 and 2 - a perfect place to comment on the public nature of the building as it is visible from the interior and also the motorway which passes alongside the building. My design took the form of pods or "bubbles" through the common association of the bubble with induvidual space - "my own little bubble".

If anyone has any questions please ask.

Thrash-Hold [sic]

Here are my horrendously late images for my last project and presentation. I don't think there is really enough work on there and I got criticised for having proportionally a large amount of writing compared to mapping (as mapping was the basis of my design). I also think I'll redo these pages so there is more clarity surrounding my design and how it looks overall - it currently relies on the models which isn't helpful when you are having to compile a portfolio). Anyway this project was all about the tresh-hold and on reflection maybe a more compact design located at the thresh hold would have been better than a large design trying to act as an extended thresh hold.





Looking at these images I am acutely aware of how good they are at NOT communicating my design in the slightest. Better luck with the next project I hope.

Opps x2

I forgot to put my last project Thrash-hold (sic) up.

Anyway here it is. Its not as bad as my first project but I still got a lot of criticism on it from my tutor's so hopefully I'll be able to tidy things up and add more work to this when I go to submit this.

actually I lie I only have these saved as pdf's so I can upload them. I'll do it at University tommorrow when I have access to photoshop (my trial expired a few days ago).

As well as uploading the Trash-hold images I will also upload the images from my latest project for which I must say I've had really good tutors and have (consequently) really enjoyed.

Sorry about the wait.

Peer Review 001 - David Duan (Jaiwei)

David (Jaiwei) Duan–Model/Laser cut group - http://davidduan.wordpress.com/

What is it?
A sorting machine for ideas represented on paper. More of a system than a machine, in which either flat pieces of paper or scrunched up paper are randomly sorted by a fixed arrangement of maze like pathways. In his own words his design acts like a sieve for ideas. Ideas enter by being dropped into the top and come out sorted into different piles at the bottom. The idea operates on a large scale, with a height that covers a floor and being able to take paper up to an A1 size. The design is integrated into the studio, done so by attaching to the wall and spanning the space between level 2 and 3.

How did he use relevant technologies?
There was an obvious use of the laser cutter in the production of his final design and appears to be some use in the mock up stages. The laser cutter has been used in the conventional way but has produced a convincing and precise result.

How is the design informed by the literature?
There is a direct link to the paper piles/collections found in the literature. David’s concept was to automate autonomies and randomise the process of organisation seen in the literature. This has been done effectively and been adapted to suit the ‘trash’ produced in studio

Critique
David’s idea, while simple is beautifully effective. His presentation in which a miniature version was operational with only a minor hitch which was due to the scale it was presented at rather than a specific design flaw. I like the way this design results in communal regeneration of ideas and encourages students to regenerate ideas rather than throw them out or store permanently in their lockers without another thought. It was designed with the architecture studio at the University of Auckland being specifically in mind which has created a unique form reference to his design. This relevance to the building is seen through the use of the 45o angle consistently present in the building’s design and in David’s system, showing he has an understanding of the building that he is designing for. The idea of movement in David’s design, seen as like the studio structure the design structure is exposed, is particularly strong and dynamic which is a unique feature as many designs result mostly in the static storage of designs. Possible critiques could be that this system does not allow for the regeneration of models (unless photographed) and in his A3 pictures it looks as if the system is inconveniently located directly in front of a studio window. Presentation could further be improved by taking photographs without the interference of plastic bags e.t.c.
Overall I think David’s design works well, fully engaging with the text’s concepts and offering a working, plausible solution to the design brief.

Peer Review 001 - Kelly Chapman

Kelly Chapman –Model/Laser cut group -http://www.kelly-nicoletti-that-office.blogspot.com/

What is it?
Using a blazer/dinner styled jacket Kelly’s trash can system involves attaching pieces of fabric (including metal chain and some usually un-wearable fabrics) to the inside of this jacket. Kelly’s design allows for storage of materials that have inspired her and/or hold specific meaning to her. The material’s act as patches for her jacket and are free to be placed anywhere she desires (no fixed path) allowing for versatility and variety. By using materials there is almost no limit on the ideas (fabric) that can be attached to Kelly’s jacket, meaning she can continue to use it and add to it.

The design is inspired by the childhood story “Wild Rose” in which a young girl wears black clothing with fabrics of all different colours on the inside as an expression of indecision and personality. This links to Kelly’s design as she use colour as representation of ideas and through the way numerous ideas are allowed to come together in one garment.
How did she use relevant technologies?
As Kelly’s design is fabric based she did not use make excessive use of the laser cutter. She did however experiment with fabric and the laser cut, to intentionally damage the fabric (of the jacket), but instead of using the laser cutter in her final design she opted for a more randomised way of damaging her jacket (through wear and tear).

How is the design informed by the literature?
This elimination of controlled damage linked to the prescribed text as it eliminated “joes”. Other than this Kelly’s design linked to the ‘trash-can’ theme and reading though the simple idea of a trash-can in which nothing is thrown away but reintroduced and recycled into a wearable garment.

Critique
Personally I liked Kelly’s design as it offered a different solution using wildly different materials than many of the designs and have no problem with only a light use of. The design is quite personal as it comes into physical contact with the body but has the potential of being subtly public if worn open (unbuttoned). Possible problems would occur when attaching a model – although parts of a dismantled model were attached and made to mould to the shape of Kelly’s body.
As a system of reintroduction of it may also have problems – as usually people pay little attention to the inside of their clothing and it could be argued that the garment would be used more as a dumping ground than a system of reintroduction for ideas – which to me was a fundamental element in the reading. This is to a degree counteracted by the highly tactile nature of the design and its recycled nature (possibly a different interpretation of the reintroduction idea in the text). Furthermore sowing fabric onto the jacket is time and effort consuming, meaning it may not appeal or be useful for a lot of people wanting more efficient designs. It is also not a communal solution, but that may be to the benefit of the wearer.
To conclude the jacket is well made, sculpted to fit Kelly’s own body, and would work well for tactile people, those on a limited budget or with space concerns.

Peer Review Session 001 - Jeffery (Chow, Chi-Ho)

Instead of having a formal crit process this semester we are having a more informal peer review session. These are my first peer reviews.

Jeffery (Chow, Chi-Ho) –Model/Laser cut group - http://jaeff.blogspot.com/2010/08/trash-can-project.html

What is it?
Jeffery’s design is an integrated floor design for level 2 studio space. A glass floor comprised of lift up lids sections lead down to a storage space under the floor. This space acts as visible storage space for drawings and models of all students. The floor being made out of glass allows for students to draw and write on the floor, which in turn allows for an open dialogue on stored ideas. The design has been thought out so that it can also b applied to the upper studios, and necessities such as the sprinkler system has been incorporated as further hanging storage for drawings. A standout feature is the pressure sensor lights that track the movement of those walking on the floor allowing for people to generate their own systems of randomisation to help inform regeneration of ideas.

How did she use relevant technologies?
Jeffery’s entire model was cut using the laser cutter; this resulted in a precise result that conveyed its message well. Further use could have been achieved though experimentation but considering the design that was not necessary. It would have been very effective if he had managed to put the hinge system in the model as his design is very much reliant on it. Regardless, the design and use of relevant technologies is very convincing.

How is the design informed by the literature?
Jeffery expressed that this design, while in developed from the literature does not have any direct links to the system discussed in the literature. It is far more haphazard and more suited to the studio environment. Despite Jeffery’s claim of lacking a direct link, I think it has good possibility for the recycling and regeneration of ideas in a communal way.

Critique
Jeffery’s design was one of the most convincing designs I saw during the peer review session. I particularly liked how his design became communal and acknowledges the fact that all designers often find inspiration from work that is not their own. I further like the open and anonymous dialogue that the class floor gives to the design. It is totally appropriate for the studio environment and allows for people working on different projects or in different year levels to comment on pieces of work. One of my few comments would be the board that his model was attached to, presumably acting as a piece of wall this could have done with being cleaner or even painted, as I found it slightly detracted from his model. When presenting he would benefit from having his model and paper work in the same location. My only concern about the design itself would be the scale of the lift up panels, and weather that would be feasible at the size they are, seeming to require so disruption to open, but to achieve its full visual affect I think the size is appropriate. Overall presentation of Jeffery’s work is convincing, both in model and drawn form. It gives a clear idea of exactly how the design would operate in relation to studio. His design is definitely worked on multiple levels and was extremely impressive.

Posters

These are the posters that I presented on Thursday - Dermott asked us to upload them on to our blogs so our peers can write their reviews underneath.



I don't think I really got what these posters were about and probably should have had some of the text present in my blog entry on it in explanation. (oops)



There were some amazingly well done posters, not so much from those working on secondlife, but those from other groups. I really need to find out how to make images that integrat existing spaces with new ideas and in general take good photos.

Page One





Page Two

A Lesson in Politics

Since starting back for the second semester, I have been working on a new design project (we’ll minus the first four days). This design project is metaphorically termed “trash can” and is part of a larger carnival-esque design topic.


For our metaphoric trash can we have had to design something that stores and reintroduces ideas, namely those cast of as junk. My group in particular were required to work with second life and make our design a part of a larger Rube Goldberg machine.
My idea’s surrounding this project stemmed from our first, 3 day project concerning the grotesque in which I took a satirical and cynical view of the justice system.





This gradually resulted in this, my final product, which continues not so much with the same imagery as used in the first project, with the same themes, although less critical and more observant. The concept is that people can be represented/defined by their ideas (represented in turn my a ball when operating), and the filtering of these ideas, by swinging door, is symbolic of the way in which the justice system (is supposed to) filter out the good and the bad from society – the filtration can be temporary as any second life user with build privileges on Putahi should be able to take that idea out of its confinement.





We were also required to make a sculptie (sculpted prim) using 3dsmax – and trust me its not as easy as it looks. For mine I made fabric like bundles, reminiscent of classic imagery used in the story of the stork which brings the baby to its parents – encapsulating the ideas of (re)birth and (re)generation. It is duplicated and arranged in a way that is representative of the scales used frequently in imagery surrounding justice and court systems (usually in conjunction with Lady Justice). This arrangement ties the sculptie back to the overall theme of my design.





The hardest part of this assignment I think has been the politics. Trying to convince people that connecting/linking to my idea in the project is a good idea, and subsequently convincing people that there is a need to compromise and do things, such as move location, for the good of everyone. I’ve moved twice, had at least 1 person say they’ll link to me and then decide not to, had to accommodate 2 people either side of me not having compatible sizes of ideas (thus I, the middle man, need to find a solution) and of course numerous miss understandings. Also, I guarantee that I have lost prims along the way ...eeek...Putahi is very cluttered at the moment.


I have to be honest here and say there were probably moments where my design looked very different to what it turned up like, and those are moments I have not documented, as once I’m working I’m focused and forget the niggle little details like photographs. Hopefully I’ll get better at this as I go on and develop appropriate habits.

Furthermore, on reflection, there I could probably take better photos so i might do in the morning. Also I tried to get wegame to film my portion of the Rube Goldberg Machine, but all it did was crash secondlife and be utterly annoying. I'm tired now, a shower and bed I think. Good luck to everyone still working.

FINISHED!!

I've finished my office!!

I know I've been slack with blog posts - sorry I really just wanted to focus on completing the office - which I've done. And yes admittedly I did finish yesterday and could have blogged but I got too tired at 10.30.

I am really happy with the results as well. I feel it reflects the journals and just enough of me - plus I've invested time in this so I'm a bit like a mother with her child (so hopefully crit goes well tomorrow).

Now just because I haven't regularly updated doesn't mean i haven't taken snapshots, though i suppose haven't really been taken frequently enough to show my progress :S.

Anyway here goes.



Showing my issues with flooring textures. Both options showing are standard concrete in Second Life but I really wasn't happy with either as in my opinion there was no warmth and depth in them. I later went for a pebbled look I made with photoshop and found images which I quite liked.



My first alpha channel material - it was not the only one I made but the only one I used. I think it creates strong links to Majalah Arkitek. There is also a soild version used as well as a point of difference and a more appropriate backing for my logo.



A close up.

The following photos are just a look around at my office after I added and changed flooring and wall textures. Some pictures are taken from neighbouring offices.











This is really where I chose to stop building and focus on the interior of my design. Some of the photos may end up being repeats due to the fact that the exterior of my office changed very little after this.



My lights! XD they actually work on touch in Second Life although my own laptop isn't good enough to spot the difference.

Now on to my final images!!
These images are taken as I walk through my office - sort of like stills from a walk through but not as good.















The view from as far inside as you can get is next.



AA Files Poster (made by me)


Design Studies Poster (made by me)


Majalah Arkitek Poster (made by me)

The view from the threahold distinguishing/defining the hierarchy of space and operating as an area in its own right.



The more informal and intimate area of my office. Chairs, lap, table all made by me)


My logo based off the Petronas Floor Plan


View of the work and meeting area with my blog displayed as interactive media.


The last set of snapshots are from offices around mine.









As stated above I am really really happy with the end result and despite initial skepticism I see why we use second life to generate work.

I'm done! YUS - now to study for my exam tomorrow. Best wishes to everyone else still working on Secondlife and criting.

Design Studies

Design Studies is an international journal that publishes a select range of articles from submissions from all over the world, 4 to 5 times a year. It is a multi-disciplinary journal that is almost exclusively written by and for those operating in fields of design and design education. The journal in feel has more in common with AA Files rather than Majalah Arkitek, although is even more academic in feel than even that which can be somewhat intimidating to young designers in training and those not working in design fields. Consequently it has a very formal feel and articles are serious and in depth.

Many of the articles in Design Studies come across as exploring the science of design. They analyse design conception, generation, education and concepts, rather than exploring current or finished design from the point of pure aesthetics and/or function. This scientific approach can also be seen in the use of imagery – used only to illustrate points covered in the journal and in many cases substituted for diagrams which express complex ideas. Lists of key words following the abstract/introduction to an article are an obvious attempt to easy understanding of complex ideas presented in quite a complex way.

However even science in its analysis of design can never fully remove itself from prominent designers, with some articles – especially those on architecture having an architect(s) and their work as a point of reference. Notable architects such as Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid find themselves and their work mentioned as part of design analysis.

In its own words:
Design Studies is the only journal to approach the understanding of design from comparisons across all domains of application, including engineering and product design, architectural design and planning, computer artefacts and systems design. It therefore provides a unique forum for the development and discussion of fundamental aspects of design activity and experience, from cognition and methodology to values and philosophy. The journal reports new research and scholarship in principles, procedures and techniques relevant to the practice, management and pedagogy of design.

Links to my design:
- The formality of the journal’s own stylistic layout and of the academic content itself has lead to my office’s formality in the entrance area leading up to the work area.
- The journal’s criticism of modernism and promotion of juxtaposing post-modernist forms such as Frank Gehry influenced the shape of the “cave” and its juxtaposition against the rest of the forms.
- Idea of integration between different fields of design, particularly architecture and interior design, influenced how I thought about the project - considering the inside while still constructing the exterior, and more structural forms.
- The generation of ideas in formed how I went through the design process – rather than exploring multiple ideas, exploring one idea and developing it.

AA Files

The AA Files is the journal published by Britain’s Architectural Association which is based in London. The feel of the journal is academic, and is definitely written by and for those with a strong background in architectural theory rather than those just evaluating or looking at current architecture (as a first year it was a little hard to fully understand). Concepts, philosophy and theory are important and the journal provides a forum for discussion and publication of opinions surrounding architecture. Articles include opinionated pieces, anecdotal pieces, research pieces and interviews with practicing architects, which creates a diverse journal.

The journal is structured so that large images of work are not really located along side articles, likely due to the fact that articles do not always relate to a specific building or building type but instead architectural philosophy. Also it leaves a lot more room for individual interpretation and deep discussion as there is no fixed building or image linked to the argument. Images are often arrange in a collage-like format or as an entire double page spread which is something I found quite strange – especially as some images seemed to have little to do with architecture (although they may have some links).

In its own words:
“AA Files is the Architectural Association’s journal of record. First published in 1981 and now in its 29th year and 60th issue, the journal contains essays and articles on architectural history and criticism, work by contemporary practitioners and designers, photography, art, music and other cross-disciplinary collaborations. Substantially informed by the AA’s public programme of lectures, exhibitions and events, the journal publishes original scholarship and projects by those who visit the school over the course of each year.”

Links to my design:
- Principles surrounding the natural state of architecture being cave-like and horizontal rather than vertical.(There was deep criticism of the verticality of city and tower blocks)
- Initially started looking at building a room that was all about what was visible inside – no windows with views of the outside.
- The Collage style used on the viewing screens
- Shape of the “cave” inspired by the twisted and contoured shapes in the image of Hiroshima Blast site and another image in the journal.

Majalah Arkitek

Majalah Arkitek is an Architecture Journal from Malayasia in South East Asisa and it also known as Architecture Malaysia(AM).
The journal is issued monthly and issues are either themed, for example, "Places of Worship" and "Medical Buildings" or alternatively catergorised as Mixed Projects.The journal is very much in the sytle of a magazine, containing numerous advertisements
for companies, events, products and services and has a more informal approach than the other journals in my project.This can be seen through the large image to text ratio, which along with the text itself indicates that this magazine is not
targetted specifically at professionals working in the architecture, planning or construction fields but at a much wider demographic consisting of those who do not necessarily have specialist knowledge of architecture. Consequently it does not really operate as a forum for an indepth debate surrounding architectural principles or concepts but instead takes a look at finished buildings in Malaysia.

The focus of the magazine is primarily on Malaysian Architecture, although each issue will often have an article looking at the work of a well known international architect, either historic and contemporary. Buildings presented in the magazine are often high end public and commerical buildings with a finish and aesthetic thst would unattainable for many. It can at times definately seem to be a display of wealth and luxury. Not conincidentally many of the buildings are located in the major cities of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

Most, if not all, of the buildings featured in the magazine are modern,this is prehaps due to the fact that like New Zealand, Malaysia was a British colony until the twentieth Century and is still establishing it's own unique style of architeture. The style featured is generally a combination of Islamic, Asian and European architecture, the three main cultural influences present in Malaysia. In saying most of the buildings are modern it does not mean they necessarily look stereotypically modern, nor are they stereotyically minimalistic and austre. The cultural elements, especially of Islam have resulted in a more luxurious look, especially with regards to interiors. Buildings that are not bult with cultural or Islamic influences often have advanced technology integrated within.Malaysia's Islamic Culture also gives way to one of the few mentions of principles related to architecture, when talking in regards to the Petronas Twin Towers in capital, Kuala Lumpur.The floor plan of the towers are designed to represented the Islamic principles of unity within unity and harmony, which is expressed through geometry.


The overall feel of this jorunal is that it is primarily about he aesthetics and functions of existig buildings and there are moments when it feels like it could be crossing into the realm of interior design.It is, however, useful for anyone interested in looking specifically at Malaysian, modern asian and modern Islamic architecture.


Influence on my design:

- the floor tower of the Petronas Twin Towers has influenced the design of my "cave" - but is simplified and relates more to the walls and ceiling as well.
- idea of a central walking area seperating two secondary areas and leading to the primary area, the working area, emulates a church and the radiating areas of mosques.
- Ideas of symmetry are seen in the gallery/foyer area - although is somewhat altered.
- biggest aesthetical guide (influence in my design), especially with regards to the screen but also in general.

Trying to upload that image and failing

Alright what it wouldn't let me post in the last post

Or i was going to. It came up with an error again.

Apologies.

I know, I know I didn't post yesterday. That, however, is not to say I didn't do any work!

So here is more progress from secondlife.

The Petronas Towers images below were mentioned in Majalah Arkitek for their floor plan which consists of two interlocking squares (to form in my opinion a kind of star shape) softened by circles placed at the junctions of the squares. This really helped me because it gave me away to further my design when I had come to something of a wall. However I decided to forgo the circles as they are some what fussy.

The Petronas Towers Floor Plan



The Square Shapes that make up the floor

This snapshot and the next one are of my first attempt at encorporating the floor shape into what I already had in my design. I wasn't really happy with it so I changed it.



The next set of snapshots were all taken to show how i did eventually decide to have the floor shape (and wall and box shape) unfortuantely at this stage I didn't take a picture from above but hopefully you will be able to see what I've done.















So that was the extent that I got up to on Wednesday.

And now for today.

Before I show you my work, i signed in today to see from my office:





Not really very attractive in my opinion - maybe i say that more in the direction of the giant greek warrior than the giant - although almost unrealistically thin - columns. No actually I don't. Well at least it doesn't toally block out my view of the sunset yet. Also it might be appropriate to now mention that there is a heck lot of abandoned and useless prims in Putahi! What the hell people when you are finished with something that is not part of your project delete it!! Its no drama to delete stuff, you seriously just press delete after selecting the object. All the abandoned prims remind me of space junk. And whoever Oat Wasp is has left a prim in what is my office. It has been there for weeks and I've asked him/her to remove it twice - I even offered a teleport to them, but they refuse to talk to me or move it. Most annoying because they haven't got the settings so I can move it or delete it myself!

So on to my work! Much more interesting than abandoned prims.

The first set of photos are all from the same stage in construction, which is basically the finished shell, taken from different locations.













The next set of photos are of the coded door - the code and techniques came from
http://www.sutor.com/c/buildsl/buildsl-doors/buildsl-doors-swinging/ it was really easy to do.







Well I tried to add one my photo but it wouldn't let me. It was related to a slightly different area of this. So I'll quickly put it in another post.