4- Final Design/Process Design/Program and SiteForming

1A-3B Matrix

Outcomes from previous weeks were self-assessed by attempting to interpret them in relation to architectural performance categories such as: program; circulation;skin. enviro; skin amenity; structure/construction. 

The matrix, devised by the subject coordinators, was a very effective way of architecturally evaluating and interpreting the forms we had produced through digital and analogue methods. It did help in developing an ability to recognize architectural qualities in otherwise abstract forms, which was very intellectually stimulating and rewarding. I felt though that this process completely neglected the skill of creating architectural forms from 1st principles, trying to understand the intrinsic characteristics of the above architectural categories and attempting to express and evoke them in purposefully executed architectural form. For me this was the major shortfall in the studio's teaching method.

3A+3B- Mapping Diagrams/Mapping and Organising Information/Diagramming Information/ Forming Information

Aim was to use specific software to map and document information, and then convert this into form. This was done through 2 processes. 1) To record sound waves on a specific site and then convert this into vector lines so it could be used to generate form using 3D modeling. 2) To take a series of photos of a site and then convert these into black and white, then extract the significant negative and positive sections of the photos to use as structural elements in a form.

I found this exercise very useful in building up skills in a number software packages. The generated architectural outcomes were very visually provocative and suggestive. However I felt that the concept of the extrapolation of gathered site information generating architectural forms, which intrinsically contained and expressed this information, was not sufficiently evident in the final outcomes. I am still very skeptical that this is truly possible.

2B- Material Armatures Pattern+External Skin

2A- Material Armatures Pattern+External Skin

Aim was to explore material systems and understand their relevance as a process that translates information onto form. This was done through the manipulation of the technique of strategic paper exploitation, which involved cutting, folding and varying the magnitude of applied vector forces.

To generate my forms I experimented with a range of cutting and folding templates that I either appropriated or custom made. I found this exercise much more productive in terms of generating cohesive architectural forms that facilitated an investigation of both exterior and interior. As a process, paper manipulation was far more flexible and influenceable.