“Place is to architecture, it may be said, as
meaning is to language”- Simon Unwin - Analysing architecture
Introduction
This unit lays the foundation for the development and
understanding of the processes involved in designing to a brief and in
collaboration with your peers. During the journey toward this end we break down
preconceptions with a series of short spatial design investigations, working
individually or as a member of a small team. You will be engaged in research
and analytical exploration, both physical and theoretical, as a starting point
for design and creative problem solving. You will develop and apply elements of
design theory and 3D visual language into the investigation of spatial form and
structure.
Indicative
Content
·
Visual research
and analysis
·
Sketchbook
development, spatial exploration
·
Freehand drawing
systems
·
Model making with
paper, card, wood
·
Design vocabulary
·
Design theory
form, space and volume
·
Colour and light
theory, materials
·
Freehand drawing,
written notes, found information, model making, photography.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this
unit you will be able to:
·
Identify the images and words required to
explore and record elements of spatial design (Research).
·
Demonstrate the ability to explore and record
3D spatial forms using drawing and concept models (Experimentation).
·
Develop a capacity within your practice to
select and choose which medium o observe, record and visualise your ideas (Communication and Presentation).
·
Apply theories of colour and light to problems
of spatial design (Technical
Competence).
·
Make decisions as to which pieces of work to
present for presentation and/or assessment (Collaborative
and/or Independent Professional Working)
Scenario:
This unit aims to introduce
you to the key understandings of Architectural, Spatial awareness and
Exploration, which are all ‘intrinsically linked’ to Interior Design and related
practices.
London,
as with many cities of similar age and geography, has had to consider its
future not only in economic terms but in how it sees itself as a global ‘Green
City’ of the future. This notion of ‘Green Living’ is not only being driven by
the Olympic Games (delivered and I am pleased to say, with the promised sustainable
legacy), where the eyes of the world were focused on both the country Britain
(England) and London. The games were also seen as a ‘benchmark’ for similar
‘global events’ of the future.
This
idea of a ‘green city’ has been compounded by the fact that the previous administration’s
had committed themselves (and millions in tax payer’s money) to the renaissance
of the ‘Inner city’ and out laying brown-field regeneration and is still part of
the current coalition policy of the utilisation of urban space.
The Brief:
One of
the issues of ‘post-Olympic London’ has been the huge surge of people wanting
to live and work here, which has meant an increased demand for housing and
workspace within the M25 that many local councils are finding difficult to manage
due to the limited stock of existing properties available.
In
addition to promised changes, many urban locations are already undergoing renewal;
regeneration and conversion from industrial and commercial to mixed usage and
community access (see clarification). Kings Cross, St Pancras and the
Summertown are up-to-date examples of a community that have undergone (and are
still going through) vast regeneration. In recent years they have seen old
buildings and environments reinvent themselves but as importantly, new ideas
and design styles have come to fruition.
As you
will have seen in the lecture on the 13th November, the issue
with limited space and a growing urban population has and still is applying
huge amount of pressure to an already serious situation. Over the past decade,
London’s status as the powerhouse of the economy added to the fact that it has
been a magnet to many seeking both employment and education has placed housing
as well as business property at the top of the political agenda; prices despite
the recession and economic downturn, have remained buoyant to the point that
for many the only option is to either rent or find an enormous deposit and hope
that salaries keep pace with climbing prices [property]. As many more people
work from home dwellings have had to adapt with change but with limited space
and current green belt laws, more and more architects and designers are looking
at and into using ‘Brownfield sites’ many of which are conveniently positioned
in some of the most sought after areas in and around London!
Stage 1: (To be presented, in your
groups on the 4th Dec 12)
Working
in small project teams, (Max 5, Min 4) you will need to visit an area (post
codes will be designated by the unit leader, Greg) and chose your ‘Brownfield
site’ from which you will need to undertake a visual (photographs permitted but
primarily hand drawn) survey. Again, working as a team, your survey will then be
used to decide if the existing structure is ’fit for purpose?’ (Is the
structure in a good condition, what is the state of the upstairs windows, does
the roof need repairing etc.?) This stage one report will need to be presented
before the Christmas break in a few weeks’ time.
To do this, you will need to work as a close
knit team, as all of your survey and observational data will need to be
collated with your team members, which will help to formulate a system of urban
spaces to be built on the brownfield site surveyed.
Stage 2: (To be reviewed by the team during
the week of the 15th/18th Jan)
For
this stage, you will need to agree whether the entire structure (if the land is
already built upon) is to be demolished, partially or fully and replaced with
structures (apartments) of your own design. You may wish to retain the façade (this
may not be an option if the structure or part of, is listed) and position your
structure to the rear of the site. It’s
your choice, your decision! Each member of the team will need to design an
urban living/working ‘pod space’ unit based on the need of each individual in
the team. In theory, you will each be designing a unique; ‘bespoke dwelling,
living and work space’ based on the desires and needs of the individual but also
those of both the community and the team. Once you (in your teams) have
completed your survey, the team will need to decide what proportion of the
entire ‘volume’ will be distributed to each member of the team. Ideally, this
should be a simple four/five way split but as sated, it is down to the needs of
each member to decided how much they require i.e. do they have family members,
ride a bike and need storage etc. It’s your team so you will need to decide collectively!
The maximum space of each site is 1800
cubic metres, which, can be divided up into whatever proportion you as
a collective team see fit but this volume must not be exceeded. The height
needs to be ‘in keeping’ with the local surrounding buildings.
Each
pod or volumetric space must have a minimum of two windows, and a bedroom, (more
if deemed necessary) plus as well a bathroom, kitchen and dining area. You
could have more than one level within your pod but will need to work with the
other structures within your team. One of the rooms will be used as a studio so
should again consider how your pod will access natural light. This is a crucial
element that needs careful consideration as to how your pods are to fit
together and allow access between each unit; up and down, front and back and
sideways. This means that internal doors will need to ‘marry up’ and align as
well as ensuring that windows are not positioned in such a way that will result
in your individual pod ‘facing’ towards a wall etc. We cannot emphasise enough
that it is vital that you will need to work as a ‘homogenous’, well-disciplined
group, making decisions as well as facing issues collectively. The ‘geometrics’ of the shape of each pod and
the overall layout is totally up to your team to decide but we are looking for
some exciting spatial ideas and outcomes!
All work will need to be
presented in your respective groups on the 15th/18th Jan
2013, in whatever state of completion to the team for review.
You
will need to show details in whatever medium you feel appropriate your set of
design proposals for the brownfield space, which your team have devised. A
model, visuals and an agreed rationale, presented to your peers and us as a
project proposal, this should be intended to support your design outcome.
Final project assessment
criteria / format: To be submitted on 29th Jan 2013 10:00 in studio
WG28D
Please be aware that
any downloaded digital imagery submitted as part of your personal submission
must not exceed 20%
To pass this unit successfully your submission MUST
include all of the below stated:
Minimum
of:
A personally completed A3 document (we will show and
explain how to set this out in due course) that contains the following:
· Your individual/group
site survey with your individual imagery, site sketches/drawings and research
materials. This must also include as part of your submission document, Design
sketches, drawings etc. taken (scanned) from your personal sketchbooks.
Importantly the document must show ‘visuals’ of your spaces as seen from within
(interior drawings of the space designed by you), in essence, these would be both
hand drawn and photo imagery of the final model with figures to offer scale and
context.
·
A final individual model of your ‘pod’ @1:20
·
Group site model @1:50 (any adjoining buildings
parkland or any structure of significance?)
Reading:
Ching, F. D. K. (2007) Architecture
Form, Space and Order. John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Ching, F. D. K.& Binggeli,
C. (2005) Interior Design Illustrated. 2nd ed. New York; Chichester:
Wiley.
Farrelly, L. (2007) The
Fundamentals of Architecture. AVA Publishing SA
Leggitt, J, (2002) Drawing
Shortcuts: Developing Quick Drawing Skills Using Today's Technology. New
York: John Wiley.
Mills, C. (2005) Designing
with Models: A Studio Guide to Making and Using Architectural Design Models.
New York; Chichester:
Wiley.Zell,
M. (2008) The Architectural Drawing Course: Understand the Principles and
Master the Practices. Thames & Hudson Ltd
Film
Lang, Fritz (Dir) (1927) Metropolis, Germany
Gore, Al (Dir) (2006) An Inconvenient Truth, US
Pollack, Sydney (Dir) (2007) Sketches of Frank Gehry, US
Scott, Ridley (Dir)(1982) Bladerunner, US
H.G Wells (Author). Menzies (Dir) (1936) "Things To Come".
Mau, Bruce (1998) ‘An Incomplete Manifesto for
Growth’,
Web:
www.brucemaudesign.com/incomplete_manifesto.html
FAT – Fashion Architecture Taste,
http://fashionarchitecturetaste.com
PLOT, www.plot.dk
Daniel
Libeskind, www.daniel-libeskind.com
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