Spring 2015Basia Carroll

Arch 101Instructor: Jerry Lum

City College of San Francisco

Midterm Learning Portfolio

TABLE OF CONTENTSIntroduction…………………..……………………………………………………………………page 3

Iteration 1……………………………………………………………………………………..page 4 &

5 Iteration 3……………………………………………………………………………..........page 6 &

7

Iteration 4……………………………………………………………………………………..page 8 &

9

Iteration 5………………………………………………………………………………….page 10 &

11

Iteration 6………………………………………………………………………………….page 12 &

13

Iteration 7………………………………………………………………………………….page 14 &

15

Iteration 8………………………………………………………………………………….page 16 &

17

Iteration 9………………………………………………………………………………………….page

18

Iteration 10………………………………………………………………………………………..page

19

Iteration 10B………………………………………………………………………………………page

20

Story Board……………………………………………………………………………….....…..page

21

Iteration 11……………………………………………………………………………….page 22 & 23

Iteration 12………………………………………………………………………………….…….page

24

Conclusion…………………………………………………………………….…………….…….page

25

Starting this class, I was excited and nervous. This would be my first class towards my interior design degree, as well as my first studio class. On the first day of school, I was

intimidated by the amount of work that lay ahead, but my inner child that used to build houses for my Polly Pockets jumped for joy.

I soon realized that these models would be no easy task. They would require time, patience, proper materials, and an out-of-the-box imagination that I would have to

discover within.

Objective: Using Kazimir Malevich’s 1916 Suprematist Composition, turn a 2D pattern into a 3D form

Iteration 1: Ice Breaker Project

I chose this section for its simplicity and curves. I felt that in doing this it would allow me to focus my creativity as well as promote more detailed options.

Reflection: When I finally sat down to make my first ever college iteration, I was ecstatic. However, the feeling of joy was soon slain by irritation and hand cramps. I had sketches done in my notebook, but no measurements written down, no concept of weight had been taken into account, no forethought to what would be a better, more manipulative material to use. No actual planning or decent preparation had been done, just straight free ballin’ my first stepping stone in my future career as an interior designer.

Thoughts to Myself:Fix complexity in design

Work on time managementFind better materials

Sharpen exacto knife skillsHot glue is messy and unforgiving

Iteration 3Weekly focus: Draw and photograph as analytical tools to promote design process.

Use of wax paper as skin creates nice transparent walls when in front of a light.

Use of wax paper allows for the structural details to cast skeletal like shadows through the paper walls.

Overall, this iteration made for some fun light play.

Purpose of structurearchitectural design piece to be situated in an open grassy field to create shaded areas and wind guards for those who choose to relax there

REFLECTION:Building this model was quite enjoyable. It was challenging trying to get all the toothpicks to line up perfectly to create an even second floor, as well as a gradual descend of the toothpicks to create the points. It was pretty impossible to make such an even plane, but using hot glue helped to fill in those minor fluctuations in height. Drawing representations of the iteration was also enjoyable. I found it to be meditative in a way. I tried many different variations, experimenting with ways in which to draw the most interesting views of the structure. Either with as many uncovered toothpicks facing me, or finding views in which parts of the structure seem to vanish.

Iteration 4: The NarrativeObjective: Develop a story that describes a journey of diverse spatial experiences and identify specifics of experiential space.

When approaching the multi purpose structure

Built as community center, possibly in lower income neighborhood

Outward bending first floor built to represent sense of protection

Slightly transparent walls allow for a welcoming feeling

Things to work on: Writing the narrative first, then building the

model Transforming the narrative from bullet

points into a story Building a model that allows for more

adventure and journey

Iteration 5: The NarrativeWalking alone through a forest letting the gentle breeze pass over you. Wanting to clear your mind of reality’s trials and tribulations, you notice in the distance parts of an abandoned stone building. You walk through the trees towards the ruins and approach a staircase that leads to the top of a tower. Walking up the stairs, there is no wall on the right side, a sense of danger and vulnerability overwhelms you. Reaching the top, you are alone for what feels like miles.

You feel small, realizing that your troubles in life are miniscule, just as you are in the world around. You descend down the stairs and make your way to the vertical structure, climbing up, you reach the horizontal plane and make your way to the edge. Standing on the cusp of the horizontal axis you feel isolated and content. All you hear is the wind whistling through the trees and the occasional chirp of a bird. Taking a moment to reflect in the peace and serenity, you feel relieved and inspired. From this day forth you have a new outlook on your future troubles, and will continue to venture through the woods to find your isolation from the world.

Constructive Criticism Construct more fluidity in the structure Define an entry way Add more jutting/connecting/additional

pieces When looking at something try to think

of the opposite Add more structures Think of all sides of the structure and

how to make them interesting

InspirationSpiral staircases have always had a special place in my heart. I fell in love with the symmetry and the golden spiral aspect. Ever since I was a little girl I have always said that when I finally get my dream home, the first modification I will make, is installing my dream staircase.

Iteration 6Weekly Focus: Exploring proportional options to develop beauty.

Use ¾’’ to represent 6’

Narrative Points Forrest setting/ on top of a hill Abandoned gathering area Single sided spiral staircase gives

feeling of vulnerability and danger

At the top of the staircase is a bridge that opens to the gathering area,

Wider mouth at gather area gives sense of welcoming

Parallel with the equator, staircase towards the east, as the sun rises it illuminates the staircase providing natural light to show the way

Throughout the day, natural light fills the gathering area for maximum usage

As the sun goes down, staircase becomes near invisible, drastic shadows of the pillars are cast causing people to deter and feel intimidated

ReflectionWhen I first started the iteration, I was looking forward to the outcome. I had received good feedback from the previous class about the spiral staircase and was told to make it better I would need to add more connecting structures. As I was finishing cutting the pieces and putting them all together to make my three piece model, the feeling of deep hatred started to boil within. I was no longer looking forward to the outcome, but instead dreading it. When I finished all I wanted to do was smash it with my fists, but knew I had to accept my iteration for what it was.

Class Feedback Do not have the model so expanded Create more fluidity amongst the individual

structures (Personal feedback) Do not make something

so hideous

Iteration 7PROS: More intricate details More compact

CONS: Lacks fluidity Not abstract enough Too symmetrical

PEROSNAL STRUGGLES: How to build a structure with a

journey involved How do I deter from symmetry Try to focus on abstract possibilities

INSIDE MAIN BULDING LOOKING OUT TOWARDS THE BREEZWAY

INSIDE BREEZWAY

IDEAS FOR NEXT ITERATION: Nature amplifier More useful building instead of ruins Less symmetrical More of an interior structure

THINGS TO STAY AWAY FROM: Symmetry Incomplete structures The pillars from this iteration Unfeasible structural details Ruins without proper research on

structural components of time periods

Iteration 8

Idea for this iterationAbandoned castle turned museum

Observation are in which to take time to reflect, sit in peace and meditate, or just enjoy the view

Outdoor breezeway, able to enjoy outside either by sitting on provided benches and chairs or by taking a walk along the fifty five foot long walkway.

REFLECTION:I liked the idea of the last iteration, I just wanted to tweak a few things here and there. I started with doubling the width of the back wall/tower. Instead of it being eighteen feet wide, I changed it to being thirty six feet wide. Allowing for the patron to have a little more walking space, or greater space to allow for a more private sitting. I also added a grand staircase that becomes skinnier as it descends to the first floor. I chose to do this so when the patron enters the building through the front door, his or her eyes are first directed forward, as the eyes walk the staircase up to the second floor, it follows the back wall up towards the tower which is the climax to the whole structure. In doing this, it promotes a greater feeling of accomplishment when the guest finally reaches the observation deck at the end of the journey.

Iteration 9

Iteration 10REFLECTION: I am still struggling with asymmetry, I do not feel that it is out of comfort I choose symmetry, I feel by choosing the structure and building purpose that I did, I felt almost forced to make the structure symmetrical. I attempted to break the symmetry by adding the side breezeway like in the last couple iterations, but it does not seem to work as I intended. To change the subject, I did however change a few more minor details that I feel make a big difference. For instance, I decided to create a break in the staircase, mainly for aesthetic purposes, as well as create windows on both walls, allowing for more natural light as well as dramatic shadows as we rotate around the sun. Changes to the observation tower were also made. These will be further explained in the next slide.

Iteration 10BFOCUS: 2X zoom in of climax

Focal Points: ¾ glass floor wrap around for those not so

faint of heart Complete glass encasement for a full 360° view

of its surroundings Benches facing multiple directions for those

who want to sit and reflect

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5 Step 6

Building settled on top of highest hill

Approaching, building is tall and intimidating, what

a castle should be

Inside, walking along left side, approaching staircase

Walking through breezeway

Walking up stairs, you see the second floor and patrons admiring art

Climax, reflecting on your time spent while sitting in the observation tower

Iteration 11

PROS: Use of new material made

constructing the skeleton very effortless

Straws allowed for easy connection some of the time without use of glue or other adhesives

Use of different colors promoted obvious differences in the building’s skeletal frame and the frames of all the openings such as windows and doors.

Transporting the iteration was not difficult, straws were flexible which in turn made it durable

CONS: Due to the lightness of

material, I did not take into consideration overall weight of the bigger cantilever , causing the fixed point to droop

Although very moldable material, curved edges warped somehow, possibly by my doing while gluing

Creating the right sized pieces allowed for lots of little straw bits that I still find on the floor

Weekly Focus: Reinterpreting your design as first a frame expression, and then as one of frame and surfaces to

promote tectonic language

THINGS TO WORK ON FOR NEXT CLASS: Adding trusses to the cantilever for

added support Applying a skin to the surface without

covering the entire structure

WHY THE CHANGE:I decided to change my entire structure because I felt trapped. I felt as if there was nothing more I could do to the iteration except for small tweaks and that I would never be able to break free of the symmetry. With this new structure, I was able to journey into asymmetry making one side longer than the other as well as not mirroring the windows on both sides.

Iteration 12: Adding skin

When adding skin, I did not want to cover the entire surface; I felt that would be boring. Instead I wanted to create a skin that would cover the surface of the structure enough so the viewer would get the idea, while producing a fun creative way to apply the skin.

Over the course of the first eight weeks I did my best at building these models to correlate with the new focuses and objectives that came with each new iteration. However, this being my first class like this, I feel that I

focused too much on trying to relate the models, that I neglected to fully use my imagination; thus creating subpar work. Although I may not have created

what could have been my best work, I did gain insight into the world of architecture, which I feel in a way makes up for it. I am very much excited to continue my journey and education in this field and am looking forward to

the challenges that lay ahead.