Friday, May 8, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Coming Full Circle
Community : Stewardship : Innovation : Authenticity
While architects warmed up to the idea of interior designers rising high in their own profession, there were many challenges to modernism that were to be faced. The main challenge, as it always was, was that people were used to designing things the way they had always done it. This marked a time where innovations would prevail. Among these were the many movements and ideas of Post Modernism. The Hi Tech Movement introduced steel scaffolding, office furniture, and factory flooring, all which were translated into a domestic living space. Many of the new ideas of post modernism practiced the use of various techniques and materials; such being broken slabs of concrete, cast concrete figures, waste wiring, bricks, and the use of rusty material.
With so many ways to incorporate design, much of society wanted a certain authenticity within their spaces. As many women pursued the interior design career paths, there needed to be more conveniences within the home. This caused a lot of architects and designers all over to focus on a major area that would show a great deal of importance to the role of post modernism. Charles Jencks, who was responsible for distributing this idea among a wide range of cultures, had a way of manipulating the styles of the past into his furniture designs. Authenticity would be brought to both America and Britain by the way of traditional designs that went beyond the limits of the modern movement.
For the Memphis Group of designers, inspiration came from mass culture. Furniture included bright patterns using plastic laminate and the overall design was meant for the mass consumer. Their style went on to have a huge influence in America, Japan, as well as Europe. This idea of designing for the masses gave off a feeling of community and a whole. Now everyone could have spaces that were appropriate with the era that was afoot. The post modern era was and still continues to be a time where new styles and ideas are generating and forcing people to think about reusing and conserving if not for ourselves then for the whole community.
As we take in all that was happening in the modern era, we have to consider the reactions to that. The history with its historic preservation and post modernism, the technology which we know is associated with the Hi Tech movement and deconstructionism, and lastly locality with its roots in regionalism and corbu revival. We can use all of these reactions to look back into the past and realize that the social agenda of the world has changed. With so many environmental problems arising these days, stewardship and the idea of being sustainable is something that many designers are considering as serious. Conservation, reusing, restoring, and repurposing are all ways in which designers and architects have turned to. If the idea is to see and be seen, then we also have to note that what was built in the past should be preserved and restored for future generations.
Reflection
Architects and designers alike have come a long way from Stonehenge to white boxes that unfold and the Vanna Venturi house. Along the way there have been innovations of new materials and new techniques that were pursued at all times. With materiality becoming more and readily available as times began to change, more and more people were becoming accustomed to the mass production of many items. Little did they know that they would lose touch with the authenticity of design. Entering the post modern era, it was now the time to look back and rethink that idea. While this process was going on, the fact that we were using so many materials at such a fast rate without thinking that it could ever affect us in a bad way began to take its toll on the environment. This is where stewardship kicks in and the bright light comes on. We have to learn to conserve and be sustainable so that we can continue to design and create for the future and for grow as opposed to our downfall and eventual demise.
While architects warmed up to the idea of interior designers rising high in their own profession, there were many challenges to modernism that were to be faced. The main challenge, as it always was, was that people were used to designing things the way they had always done it. This marked a time where innovations would prevail. Among these were the many movements and ideas of Post Modernism. The Hi Tech Movement introduced steel scaffolding, office furniture, and factory flooring, all which were translated into a domestic living space. Many of the new ideas of post modernism practiced the use of various techniques and materials; such being broken slabs of concrete, cast concrete figures, waste wiring, bricks, and the use of rusty material.
With so many ways to incorporate design, much of society wanted a certain authenticity within their spaces. As many women pursued the interior design career paths, there needed to be more conveniences within the home. This caused a lot of architects and designers all over to focus on a major area that would show a great deal of importance to the role of post modernism. Charles Jencks, who was responsible for distributing this idea among a wide range of cultures, had a way of manipulating the styles of the past into his furniture designs. Authenticity would be brought to both America and Britain by the way of traditional designs that went beyond the limits of the modern movement.
For the Memphis Group of designers, inspiration came from mass culture. Furniture included bright patterns using plastic laminate and the overall design was meant for the mass consumer. Their style went on to have a huge influence in America, Japan, as well as Europe. This idea of designing for the masses gave off a feeling of community and a whole. Now everyone could have spaces that were appropriate with the era that was afoot. The post modern era was and still continues to be a time where new styles and ideas are generating and forcing people to think about reusing and conserving if not for ourselves then for the whole community.
As we take in all that was happening in the modern era, we have to consider the reactions to that. The history with its historic preservation and post modernism, the technology which we know is associated with the Hi Tech movement and deconstructionism, and lastly locality with its roots in regionalism and corbu revival. We can use all of these reactions to look back into the past and realize that the social agenda of the world has changed. With so many environmental problems arising these days, stewardship and the idea of being sustainable is something that many designers are considering as serious. Conservation, reusing, restoring, and repurposing are all ways in which designers and architects have turned to. If the idea is to see and be seen, then we also have to note that what was built in the past should be preserved and restored for future generations.
Reflection
Architects and designers alike have come a long way from Stonehenge to white boxes that unfold and the Vanna Venturi house. Along the way there have been innovations of new materials and new techniques that were pursued at all times. With materiality becoming more and readily available as times began to change, more and more people were becoming accustomed to the mass production of many items. Little did they know that they would lose touch with the authenticity of design. Entering the post modern era, it was now the time to look back and rethink that idea. While this process was going on, the fact that we were using so many materials at such a fast rate without thinking that it could ever affect us in a bad way began to take its toll on the environment. This is where stewardship kicks in and the bright light comes on. We have to learn to conserve and be sustainable so that we can continue to design and create for the future and for grow as opposed to our downfall and eventual demise.
Monday, April 27, 2009
[Pair]ing Down
Meditation/Celebration : Light/Shadow : Transpose/Juxtapose : Literal/Abstract : Monologue/Dialogue
While the ideas of designers and architects might have been abstract and unique, the literal meaning behind their work was easy and quite clear. Historically, everything changes. We cannot be stuck in one place for too long without wanting to venture out and explore options, places, and most importantly our own curiosity. The 20th century gave designers a way to explore a place where they could now put to work everything from the past. To utilize knowledge and experience that was learned and combine it with that which has yet to be gained. Sometimes literal translations often come from abstract thoughts, which is the equation for that which we call creativity.
Reflection:
Who would have thought that interior decorating would ever cause any kind of problem to architects? I would have thought it would come as a relief now that the job of actually designing what would go into the space they built was not up to them anymore. As people came about to appreciate this new profession, the dialogue of architects changed as the monologue of decorators became more sufficient. It was clear that a juxtapose position in a professional environment was better than that of a transpose, mainly because it was all about teamwork. It was time to celebrate the fact that society has come thus far and made it possible for places not to be only for admiration but also for meditation. It was good to clear the mind of literal meanings and let it graze among abstract thoughts. This always sheds some light on the shadows that we do not often express which is sometimes where our best work is hidden.
Designing a space that is classic and modern yet revitalizing so that it feels refreshing is always something that the public looks forward to. Whether we are restoring or building onto a new site, people are always expecting something unique and tasteful. With the 20th century, modernism was becoming rapidly used throughout all sorts of design ideas. Now that the profession of interior decorator was officially made into its own, spaces could now be left to be somewhat of canvases. This was a time when designers as well as architects alike could put their ideas together and form spaces that could speak in different tones. While the dialogue of one room could be full of enthusiasm with colors and accents, another room could be having a monologue of its own that was interpreting a translation completely opposite of the structures foundation. This is sort of how architects and interior decorators worked side by side in a juxtaposed manner in order to achieve whatever was asked of them. However while this partnership seemed like a match made in heaven, it was really something that was at first thought to be a waste of time. Architects thought of this system of working together as a transpose. They didn’t want to be replaced by people who had half the knowledge and didn’t really know the whole story of architecture and design. It also did not help that those decorators happened to be woman, who at the time were not celebrated as being creatively endowed.
With modernism shifting to more geometric and simple terms, so did the connotations of society. Woman, as well as all interior decorators, began to be accepted throughout the design culture. With that began a more relaxed and meditated feeling within architecture. Spaces were not cluttered with all sorts of shapes and details; they were clean with lines and diagonals. They were focused on bringing forth a feeling of self and becoming one with the surroundings that enclosed. With this feeling, we can really understand that meditation of self was now a celebration of being one with nature and having all of what had nurtured us at our reach. With houses that included window walls, it was easy to understand this concept. The light from the sun was easily captured into the space which then caused shadows to form designs of their own. As one cannot work without the other, this too added to the geometric simplicity of replacing ornamental detailing with something more natural.
While the ideas of designers and architects might have been abstract and unique, the literal meaning behind their work was easy and quite clear. Historically, everything changes. We cannot be stuck in one place for too long without wanting to venture out and explore options, places, and most importantly our own curiosity. The 20th century gave designers a way to explore a place where they could now put to work everything from the past. To utilize knowledge and experience that was learned and combine it with that which has yet to be gained. Sometimes literal translations often come from abstract thoughts, which is the equation for that which we call creativity.
Reflection:
Who would have thought that interior decorating would ever cause any kind of problem to architects? I would have thought it would come as a relief now that the job of actually designing what would go into the space they built was not up to them anymore. As people came about to appreciate this new profession, the dialogue of architects changed as the monologue of decorators became more sufficient. It was clear that a juxtapose position in a professional environment was better than that of a transpose, mainly because it was all about teamwork. It was time to celebrate the fact that society has come thus far and made it possible for places not to be only for admiration but also for meditation. It was good to clear the mind of literal meanings and let it graze among abstract thoughts. This always sheds some light on the shadows that we do not often express which is sometimes where our best work is hidden.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Action Verbs Week 12
SPECUALTE : COMPOSE : ENERGIZE : SHAPE : STRETCH
Moving into a modern era, which was sort of confusing at the time, given that designers were designing across a wide range of styles, it made quite an impression on the world of architecture as we know it today. As designers began to speculate how and to what extent they wanted “their” modern styles to reach, they actually turned out to be very diverse and unique. Everyone at the time was designing their own version of what they thought was the modern style. Some designers mixed classical forms with baroque details, and some went straight to geometric and simple lines. There was no doubt that modernism in its beginning stages was anything short of an explosion of a variety of ideas.
Utilizing some classical detailing, it was now time to reinvent and introduce the true meaning of what modern architecture was about. This meant going back to geometric forms as well as to simple basics which architecture finds its foundation. The goal of some designers was to achieve fluidity as well as good shape. With post impressionism right at the beginning of the 20th century, the flattening of space and surface became a technique that many designers were trying to incorporate. Branching out and exploring the world also became popular so with that shape was now as if not more important than ever. Structures came to borrow on the human form when it comes to skin and bones. Buildings such as the Casa Mila and the Sagrada Familia by Antonio Gaudi both encompassed the feeling of nature and a certain smoothness that you could quickly associate with the human form.
There was definitely something about lines that interested many designers and also kind of became a muse. Clean lines were used to show simplicity and plainness as well as solidarity. However they also gave way for the designers to be able to create a stretch throughout their designs. For example, Victor Horta designed the Hotel Tassel with the idea of lines becoming a very important detail within the structure. It clearly shows that lines not only connect everything but they bring certain wholeness to the space. Lines were used within the floor and wall patterns so that these elements could work together in order to be functional as well as attractive to the eye. Even the surface ornamentation was made to look stretched over the façade.
Lines also did something else for the designer as well as the viewer; they energized the space so that even though it may have looked simple, a person could still feel positive energy radiating from the design. I guess I would most closely relate this energy to meditation. It could also be applied to motifs for decoration. If a space was highly decorated it could have a lever of energy that it gave off to person or a group of people. It could also have a different level of energy even if the space was monotone and plain with maybe just a couple of embellishments. It’s true when people say that sometimes accessories can make or break and outfit. That same expression could very well be used for architecture as well as interior design.
Design was clearly evolving now that it was the time for moving forward and exploring all sorts of styles. To compose one style was and say that it defined modernism was not unlikely. What composed the modern style in itself was the fact that movies, automobiles, exotic locations, and also fashion had a huge impact on design. People now were being exposed to Hollywood and the speed of the cars which in turn showed up in the way people wanted their homes and structures to look. It was all about composure and the way people wanted to be perceived.
Reflection:
This week the action verbs were not hard to describe and connect together. Thinking about architecture and design, both interior and exterior, I found it interesting that so many actions take place within design. To compose and idea is to use all previous knowledge and make it make sense so that the product that we come up with for a design is not confusing. This product should have characteristics in itself that one can point to at a moment’s notice. For instance it should have certain energy and be able to energize the audience so that it will have a place in ones memory as well as history. It should not only use lines to stretch over the surface but also throughout time. It’s okay to use a mixture of styles to create something new, I doubt that modernism has to only deal with things that look futuristic and sharp. Shape should be a very important question to consider when designing because, after all, good shape is what usually attracts people. Even though people often times speculate what good shape can be, I think that it is whatever a person decides is whole and full of life.
Moving into a modern era, which was sort of confusing at the time, given that designers were designing across a wide range of styles, it made quite an impression on the world of architecture as we know it today. As designers began to speculate how and to what extent they wanted “their” modern styles to reach, they actually turned out to be very diverse and unique. Everyone at the time was designing their own version of what they thought was the modern style. Some designers mixed classical forms with baroque details, and some went straight to geometric and simple lines. There was no doubt that modernism in its beginning stages was anything short of an explosion of a variety of ideas.
Utilizing some classical detailing, it was now time to reinvent and introduce the true meaning of what modern architecture was about. This meant going back to geometric forms as well as to simple basics which architecture finds its foundation. The goal of some designers was to achieve fluidity as well as good shape. With post impressionism right at the beginning of the 20th century, the flattening of space and surface became a technique that many designers were trying to incorporate. Branching out and exploring the world also became popular so with that shape was now as if not more important than ever. Structures came to borrow on the human form when it comes to skin and bones. Buildings such as the Casa Mila and the Sagrada Familia by Antonio Gaudi both encompassed the feeling of nature and a certain smoothness that you could quickly associate with the human form.
There was definitely something about lines that interested many designers and also kind of became a muse. Clean lines were used to show simplicity and plainness as well as solidarity. However they also gave way for the designers to be able to create a stretch throughout their designs. For example, Victor Horta designed the Hotel Tassel with the idea of lines becoming a very important detail within the structure. It clearly shows that lines not only connect everything but they bring certain wholeness to the space. Lines were used within the floor and wall patterns so that these elements could work together in order to be functional as well as attractive to the eye. Even the surface ornamentation was made to look stretched over the façade.
Lines also did something else for the designer as well as the viewer; they energized the space so that even though it may have looked simple, a person could still feel positive energy radiating from the design. I guess I would most closely relate this energy to meditation. It could also be applied to motifs for decoration. If a space was highly decorated it could have a lever of energy that it gave off to person or a group of people. It could also have a different level of energy even if the space was monotone and plain with maybe just a couple of embellishments. It’s true when people say that sometimes accessories can make or break and outfit. That same expression could very well be used for architecture as well as interior design.
Design was clearly evolving now that it was the time for moving forward and exploring all sorts of styles. To compose one style was and say that it defined modernism was not unlikely. What composed the modern style in itself was the fact that movies, automobiles, exotic locations, and also fashion had a huge impact on design. People now were being exposed to Hollywood and the speed of the cars which in turn showed up in the way people wanted their homes and structures to look. It was all about composure and the way people wanted to be perceived.
Reflection:
This week the action verbs were not hard to describe and connect together. Thinking about architecture and design, both interior and exterior, I found it interesting that so many actions take place within design. To compose and idea is to use all previous knowledge and make it make sense so that the product that we come up with for a design is not confusing. This product should have characteristics in itself that one can point to at a moment’s notice. For instance it should have certain energy and be able to energize the audience so that it will have a place in ones memory as well as history. It should not only use lines to stretch over the surface but also throughout time. It’s okay to use a mixture of styles to create something new, I doubt that modernism has to only deal with things that look futuristic and sharp. Shape should be a very important question to consider when designing because, after all, good shape is what usually attracts people. Even though people often times speculate what good shape can be, I think that it is whatever a person decides is whole and full of life.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Unit Summary
Reflections
Looking back to the past to the time after the renaissance and baroque period, it was obvious that the design world once again thinking outside of the box. Stepping into the 19th century now was something of an eye opener. With the fallout of the British Empire, many revolutions and battles took place in order to create a separate view from that of the British. An example of some innovations that were introduced and made things simpler for society was things like transportation, an abundance of materials, and more architects and designers.
Transportation created shorter distances in a way that it took less time to reach point B from point A. it also made it possible for the circulation of newspapers, magazines, books, and artwork to be internationally available. Materials were now more accessible as well as more flexible in the way in which they were used in comparison to one another. This came as great news to up and coming designers in this new and modern era. In addition to that, more and more designers opted to from teams and groups in which to work so that design would be an effort that was contributed by many. This made it possible for the world to expand and open up architecturally.
Entering the modern world, designers started looking back to classical times as inspiration once again for their work. There was definitely unification across surfaces that related back to the monotone use of one material for the whole structure. This hinted at the fact that everyone wanted to look alike; there was also a strong feeling of wanting to belong and being in unison with those around you. Space became something to be viewed with integrity and strength. Some parts were also reverting to staying more private as well as having areas that were specifically for the public. This gave the space a good divider and respect to the owner. These spatial relationships that were compared to one another became very important along with the details that were embedded within them. With this, designers also began focusing more on horizontality for the fact that it represented unity within the environment.
These new ways of thinking caused the start of a revolution. Within this revolution, there were several revivals that marked certain rules and processes that were coming into activity once again. These rules were constantly put into rotation that moved in variations within a cycle. This caused a new way of thinking and designing and forged a reform that was once again a refreshing feeling in architecture. This whole system was something that caused society to once again think about the culture and they way architecture has shaped it as well as looking to the past to revive old traditions.
The past was now being thought of as better than the future, especially due to society’s view of social change, a need for meaning, and the study of the romantic past. However with the many innovations that have resulted, the future was not looking bad at all. There were promising changes in society as far as urban and healthy populations as well as scientific developments and new materials. With holistic styles that were emerging, it was again time to focus on comfort and the interiors.
Looking back to the past to the time after the renaissance and baroque period, it was obvious that the design world once again thinking outside of the box. Stepping into the 19th century now was something of an eye opener. With the fallout of the British Empire, many revolutions and battles took place in order to create a separate view from that of the British. An example of some innovations that were introduced and made things simpler for society was things like transportation, an abundance of materials, and more architects and designers.
Transportation created shorter distances in a way that it took less time to reach point B from point A. it also made it possible for the circulation of newspapers, magazines, books, and artwork to be internationally available. Materials were now more accessible as well as more flexible in the way in which they were used in comparison to one another. This came as great news to up and coming designers in this new and modern era. In addition to that, more and more designers opted to from teams and groups in which to work so that design would be an effort that was contributed by many. This made it possible for the world to expand and open up architecturally.
Entering the modern world, designers started looking back to classical times as inspiration once again for their work. There was definitely unification across surfaces that related back to the monotone use of one material for the whole structure. This hinted at the fact that everyone wanted to look alike; there was also a strong feeling of wanting to belong and being in unison with those around you. Space became something to be viewed with integrity and strength. Some parts were also reverting to staying more private as well as having areas that were specifically for the public. This gave the space a good divider and respect to the owner. These spatial relationships that were compared to one another became very important along with the details that were embedded within them. With this, designers also began focusing more on horizontality for the fact that it represented unity within the environment.
These new ways of thinking caused the start of a revolution. Within this revolution, there were several revivals that marked certain rules and processes that were coming into activity once again. These rules were constantly put into rotation that moved in variations within a cycle. This caused a new way of thinking and designing and forged a reform that was once again a refreshing feeling in architecture. This whole system was something that caused society to once again think about the culture and they way architecture has shaped it as well as looking to the past to revive old traditions.
The past was now being thought of as better than the future, especially due to society’s view of social change, a need for meaning, and the study of the romantic past. However with the many innovations that have resulted, the future was not looking bad at all. There were promising changes in society as far as urban and healthy populations as well as scientific developments and new materials. With holistic styles that were emerging, it was again time to focus on comfort and the interiors.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Road Trip
Roots: Congruence: Concept: Materiality: Compression/Release
Entering the modern era of architecture and design, there was much to be put into consideration. Designers did not really know in which direction to go since they could easily pick between many. The rules were being written, erased, re-written, and so on. As a result to all the architectural styles that were already out in the world, concepts about how to incorporate them together emerged. Chicago became a city that would be one to first show these new concepts in a new and modern way. One of the buildings that was set apart among all of the skyscrapers that came into fashion within this era was the Trinity church in New York. This building, with its gothic style, shows that it is important to tap into the past every once in a while. In an area where buildings are very sophisticated, it is nice to see a structure revert back to Gothic roots.
Richard Upjohn: Trinity Church, New York 1846-49Having the courage to be able to choose as well as mix and much with different styles gave designers and new direction within architecture. This also gave designers an opportunity to lay down roots of their own as professionals who could establish styles they would be known for. Just as Henry Upjohn did with the Trinity church, using both Gothic and Romanesque styles (usually separately) in many of his designs. This also gave the public a feeling of ease about what they could expect from these architects. It was easy to see that all the pasts could be connected together to form something totally refreshing in a time that was definitely evolving.
With the abundance of materials, there was now an even greater number of designers who wanted to use these resources for their designs. Glass was used extensively with the rise of skyscrapers. Along with that steel and concrete were also important in the structural impact of the modern era. With these materials, designers now had a ball figuring out how to use them in unique and interesting ways. For instance the home Insurance Building in Chicago was solitary in the way that its façade supported only its own weight. I guess we could say that the skeleton of the structure was separate from the skin and could hold its own without the surface.
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Combining many styles has proved to be both difficult in some cases but also beneficial in most. When buildings are constructed or when they are just starting out as a design, there are certain pressures that come with how it’s going to go up. There are things that should be symmetrical; the building should be warm and inviting, and sometimes even cold and excluding. There are details within the design that should be addressed and those that should be considered. With many artists these days, they are very picky about how they want to convey their composition to the world. This is where congruence plays a somewhat important role. For example, shapes often pop in my head when I think about congruence just because it’s all about those geometric aspects. However, for architecture I don’t think it’s about the congruence of shape as much as it is about the ideas that are put forward. The idea must go hand in hand with the design and the design should show some if not most of the congruence when compared to the actual structure. There should be a certain flow present.
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Commissions are usually stressful in their own right. This is a point where a designer has to use his craft in order to show the public what their interpretations are all about. The compression that the designer may feel from the public is most times released around the time of the final product. This is something that all producers deal with whether its dealing with architecture, music, medicine, etc…It’s important to know that one’s ideas are not always easy to put out into the world, especially when some of them may not be fully accepted by the majority. However it is crucial to understand that this compression/release idea is everlasting among many artists.
REFLECTION:
In the modern era concepts are not anything of news. It is expected of designers to have plans and thoughts about their ideas will affect the environment in which they will enter. These concepts are usually part of the root ideas that generate the construction of any design. The materials that are used to make these concepts come alive are very important to its outlook. A buildings use of detail and the sustainability of its materials will inevitably tell how its future will look. I don’t think that everything has to be completely congruent but I do believe that it should show congruence by interpreting fluidity within the design. It should show compression and release by how well the building works within the environment as well as the climate of the area. Not every building is going to be perfect; however its agreement with its environment has a lot of influence within society.
citations: photo-Howe, Jeffery. (1996) A Digital Archive of American Architecture. 4.12.09.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Opus week 9
Craft : Public/Private : Technique : Language : Virtual
Technology has made much advancement over the past century. With the help of the industrial revolution, architecture has come a long way. Not everyone fully accepted the new techniques that were coming about in this new era. Designers as well as architects alike were re-writing rules once again that would forge a new way into the future of architecture and design. It was this new technique of thinking in a modern sense that machines came to be used widely in the production of materials. Cast iron and glass were among the most important new materials that were used in the 19th century. They were easy to incorporate as well as fast to produce.
Although these new materials were now fast becoming trend among many designers. Of course there were still those out there that opposed the idea of having mass produced objects, among those was the infamous William Morris. He believed that design should be natural and organic not to mention entirely hand-made. His entire craft depended on being made without the use of a machine for production.
Although these new materials were now fast becoming trend among many designers. Of course there were still those out there that opposed the idea of having mass produced objects, among those was the infamous William Morris. He believed that design should be natural and organic not to mention entirely hand-made. His entire craft depended on being made without the use of a machine for production.
This is my interpretation of a modern residential space. It shows simplicity and style without all the small ornaments on the façade. The landscape is small and quaint.
Design in that time had really come into its own. Now that there were more choices available, architecture along with design became a craft. Nevertheless, this is how the Arts and Crafts movement began. As old rules were considered and re-written, new rules were also documented and have made it to the present without any changes. All of those rules are what have lead the world into this new direction of choosing more than one avenue unto which design will go.
As magazines were becoming mainstream, it was obvious that the language of the society along with their opinions was going to change. While classism was the preferred choice in design, more and more designers were fighting for a new style and looking on to the future. This is where the modern idea came about. Suddenly architecture, furniture, and interior design overall were becoming transformed with new technologies and ways of interpretation. This added to how the language was being viewed. As travel became more common around the world, people’s view of architecture began to change. The language of new design began to spread and with it so did the various ideas.
As magazines were becoming mainstream, it was obvious that the language of the society along with their opinions was going to change. While classism was the preferred choice in design, more and more designers were fighting for a new style and looking on to the future. This is where the modern idea came about. Suddenly architecture, furniture, and interior design overall were becoming transformed with new technologies and ways of interpretation. This added to how the language was being viewed. As travel became more common around the world, people’s view of architecture began to change. The language of new design began to spread and with it so did the various ideas.
Coming from the renaissance and the baroque style of architecture, the modern style brought on many changes. For instance the bedrooms of the modern era became way more private than they were back in the day. There were areas that were designated for public use such as activities with the family and other special occasions. Thus giving a definition to the public/private division of space within design.
This is my example of a space being public and private at the same time. The small circle off to the side that is enclosed within the larger circle has its privacy. While the large circle has more space for other objects.
Virtually everything had major changes within the world of architecture and design. Ornaments and accents became something of wonder and adoration. People were incorporating more art within spaces and being more educated about the process of design. Mass production made this possible because now everything could be made fast and easy. Time was reduced in half.
Reflection:
Overtime, from the ancient time up to the modern era of design, architecture has shown a lot of techniques. As these techniques were being perfected, they eventually became part of a craft that is to this day very important to our society. Many things surround this craft, thing such as language, culture, and even common sense. Craft is how we communicate to others our interpretations of certain feelings and emotions. The public and private spaces keep us in tune with what is appropriate and what should be shared among the world. This leads me to say that virtually every design has its good and bad as well as its little details that make it worth paying attention to.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Precedent Analysis Writing
Tate Modern London
The history of Tate modern has very different paths. The Tate modern gallery and the actual building upon which it stands today have both come a long way. The original location of the gallery was on Millbank in London which has been there since the 1500’s. However due to the growing amount of art that was available, the building needed to be something of a bigger size. The administrators of the gallery decided to either construct a brand new building or to restore an old one. In this crucial time of relocation, the opportunity that was an old power station came forth.
The Bankside power station was built in 1947 and closed in 1982, giving it a perfect time span before it was to be re-opened as an international art gallery in May of 2000. Going back to the construction of the great power station, it was something of immense creativity. The designer Giles Gilbert Scott had great aspirations when he built this structure. With the western side of the structure being build first, it was ready to start generating power in 1952.The building was divided into three having a turbine hall, the boiler room, and the switching room. The structure is 200m long with a chimney that extends 99m in height. When compared to St. Paul’s Cathedral which is just across the River Thames, it clearly cannot compete with the grandeur of the dome. It also consists of about 4.2 million bricks, a number we would nevertheless expect out of this structure.
When the Bankside location was chosen it was time now to choose architects that would make this gallery into what it ought to be. Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron were chosen to restore this old building into one of the most talked about galleries in the world. The evolution of the building was amazing. Given that the original gallery was established to include only British art, the new and improved gallery now consisted of international exhibitions. The kind of art that is displayed is that of Surrealism, Minimalism, post-war abstraction of Europe and the US, along with some important movements which include Cubism, Futurism, and Vorticism. This is just a taste of what u can experience at Tate modern.
As far as education goes, much of the gallery is usually focused on engagement with the art. For example, the great turbine hall in the center is a space that can store extremely large sculptures and with that people are invited to be a part of that, to walk in and around these sculptures and to engage with art itself. This in turn builds a great critique and along helps the visitors and the viewers discuss art and sculpture with more information as with personal experience.
Looking on to the future there are surely to be new exhibitions as well as extensions to the building. This structure has proven that a low end area of a city can indeed improve and change the entire view of the surroundings. Since its opening, it has attracted more than 30 million people making it the most visited art gallery in the world. One of the additions to the building is called The Tate Modern 2 which is going to integrate modern and contemporary art in the future. It is also making an effort to be more environmentally friendly. In addition to the future extensions to the building, the gallery is also extending its hands out into the community by hosting workshops, development groups, senior events, and more. Overall, this gallery has really come a long way and it’s great to see that for its location it is not only convenient but also worth visiting.
The history of Tate modern has very different paths. The Tate modern gallery and the actual building upon which it stands today have both come a long way. The original location of the gallery was on Millbank in London which has been there since the 1500’s. However due to the growing amount of art that was available, the building needed to be something of a bigger size. The administrators of the gallery decided to either construct a brand new building or to restore an old one. In this crucial time of relocation, the opportunity that was an old power station came forth.
The Bankside power station was built in 1947 and closed in 1982, giving it a perfect time span before it was to be re-opened as an international art gallery in May of 2000. Going back to the construction of the great power station, it was something of immense creativity. The designer Giles Gilbert Scott had great aspirations when he built this structure. With the western side of the structure being build first, it was ready to start generating power in 1952.The building was divided into three having a turbine hall, the boiler room, and the switching room. The structure is 200m long with a chimney that extends 99m in height. When compared to St. Paul’s Cathedral which is just across the River Thames, it clearly cannot compete with the grandeur of the dome. It also consists of about 4.2 million bricks, a number we would nevertheless expect out of this structure.
When the Bankside location was chosen it was time now to choose architects that would make this gallery into what it ought to be. Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron were chosen to restore this old building into one of the most talked about galleries in the world. The evolution of the building was amazing. Given that the original gallery was established to include only British art, the new and improved gallery now consisted of international exhibitions. The kind of art that is displayed is that of Surrealism, Minimalism, post-war abstraction of Europe and the US, along with some important movements which include Cubism, Futurism, and Vorticism. This is just a taste of what u can experience at Tate modern.
As far as education goes, much of the gallery is usually focused on engagement with the art. For example, the great turbine hall in the center is a space that can store extremely large sculptures and with that people are invited to be a part of that, to walk in and around these sculptures and to engage with art itself. This in turn builds a great critique and along helps the visitors and the viewers discuss art and sculpture with more information as with personal experience.
Looking on to the future there are surely to be new exhibitions as well as extensions to the building. This structure has proven that a low end area of a city can indeed improve and change the entire view of the surroundings. Since its opening, it has attracted more than 30 million people making it the most visited art gallery in the world. One of the additions to the building is called The Tate Modern 2 which is going to integrate modern and contemporary art in the future. It is also making an effort to be more environmentally friendly. In addition to the future extensions to the building, the gallery is also extending its hands out into the community by hosting workshops, development groups, senior events, and more. Overall, this gallery has really come a long way and it’s great to see that for its location it is not only convenient but also worth visiting.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
opus week 8
Rotation : Movement : Reflection : Source : Illumination
With any design or idea we must have a source. It could possibly be a place of inspiration, or even just a random thought. In school we know sources as citations for other peoples work that we incorporate into our own, and also as a foundation for any idea that we plan to elaborate on. Another way I like to think about sources is as a unit of measure. For example in biology, we know that everything is made up of atoms. Atoms are then a source for life. In addition when we talk about life, I can also say that life is made up of centers. Centers are therefore a source once again. As designers , it is beneficial for us to know what our sources are and where they originate.
To be able to create designs that are appealing as well as understood by most, I personally think that one should have a style of movement throughout their thinking process. I think movement by itself can be interpreted in many ways. We can look at a Farris wheel, it has physical movement in that it moves in a circular motion. Also we can look deeper and analyze movement in an artwork where it is on a flat surface. In my opinion, if a design creates movement in the viewers perspective, then it has done a great job in providing a flow throughout the piece. Fluidity is an important aspect when architecture is involved. It radiates a sense of flexibility as well as versatility for most cases.
When we think we associate a light bulb with having a brilliant idea. That, I think, is a great way to also associate illumination. Designers often strive to shed light on whatever it is that they are putting out into the world so as to not have it be completely misunderstood.
We as humans evolve, take form, manipulate, transform, and often times our ideas rotate. With each revolution we discard old, unused information and adopt new, interesting information. Its only in our nature to recycle, whether that be our trash, or more importantly our thoughts. This week as we discussed revolutions, we mentioned that rotation is an essential part of this process. A rotation can be described as something versatile in a flow. Often times, we find furniture to be in a group of popular objects in rotation. We can find armoires used as closets that are a part of a collection. Also we see this with bedroom sets. Each one has a bed, a chest drawers, sometimes a mirror, and a side table. all of these things work together to form something that is whole.
This chair is of many from the period of when revolutions started to have a significant effect on society as well as design. For every table there were also chairs that were designed to complete this idea of a dining set. This particular chair does not have arm rests but that does not mean that it was the only kind of chair. Intricate designs were very ideal for this period, which people got used to over time.
From the ancient times, with the expansion of empires and the frequent battles over land, we began to see that architecture sort of emulates this idea with its buildings being able to spread and have weight distribution. I would refer to this as a reflection to the ancient world. When we look to history of architecture, we can look at many eras and still be inspired. I think that is that design is all about. It is good when people create new ways of doing things in addition to new approaches. Also I believe that if we can reflect on the past, we can revive what was once admired and bring it back in a new style that would still have a sense of attractiveness
Reflection: architecturally speaking, it is vital that sources are incorporated in what ever we are seeking to accomplish. I think that if we didn't have those foundations, we could not have a stable idea or design. Also, for that design to be able to have its structure and have its specialty, its movement should be addressed. When we think about movement, we should ask ourselves, "How can it evolve?" also "Can it stand the test of time?". Answering those questions leads us to the illumination of details. Those answers highlight what is going to be special about a certain space or a given idea. It is a bonus if that idea can rotate and have many different faces to it. If it can be put in a category and yet still have its versatility. Although, as we face difficulties throughout any process, we often have to reflect on past experiences in order to move forward and create outstanding designs.
With any design or idea we must have a source. It could possibly be a place of inspiration, or even just a random thought. In school we know sources as citations for other peoples work that we incorporate into our own, and also as a foundation for any idea that we plan to elaborate on. Another way I like to think about sources is as a unit of measure. For example in biology, we know that everything is made up of atoms. Atoms are then a source for life. In addition when we talk about life, I can also say that life is made up of centers. Centers are therefore a source once again. As designers , it is beneficial for us to know what our sources are and where they originate.
The picture above shows an atom with its electrons and protons floating around. This gives us an idea of how things must interact with one another in order to form something incredible such as a life.
To be able to create designs that are appealing as well as understood by most, I personally think that one should have a style of movement throughout their thinking process. I think movement by itself can be interpreted in many ways. We can look at a Farris wheel, it has physical movement in that it moves in a circular motion. Also we can look deeper and analyze movement in an artwork where it is on a flat surface. In my opinion, if a design creates movement in the viewers perspective, then it has done a great job in providing a flow throughout the piece. Fluidity is an important aspect when architecture is involved. It radiates a sense of flexibility as well as versatility for most cases.
Hokusai's "Mount Fuji off Kanagawa" is a moving masterpiece full of movement and life. My version is of coarse not as detailed as the original, but I think it still depicts the characteristic of motion pretty well.
Within designs and architecture overall, its always important to be able to create details that illuminate a part of that design which will later become interesting to the viewer. We can always look at the lighting in a certain building and be able to describe the feeling it exhibits. For example when we go grocery shopping, in most super markets the lighting tends to be fluorescent. It is simple and probably cheaper for those grocery stores to afford. It is also better for the environment. However fluorescent lighting is not always flattering on ones complexion, it tends to make people look older. In contrast, incandescent lighting has the opposite effect. It tends to be more gentle not only on a persons complexion, but it sets a mood of comfort in any room. Illumination is what gives a space its appeal. If we get a feeling of warmth from a space, then we feel comfort. On the other hand, if a certain space was to transmit a cold feeling, we would probably not feel at home and we would most likely treat this space as something that is above us.
When we think we associate a light bulb with having a brilliant idea. That, I think, is a great way to also associate illumination. Designers often strive to shed light on whatever it is that they are putting out into the world so as to not have it be completely misunderstood.
We as humans evolve, take form, manipulate, transform, and often times our ideas rotate. With each revolution we discard old, unused information and adopt new, interesting information. Its only in our nature to recycle, whether that be our trash, or more importantly our thoughts. This week as we discussed revolutions, we mentioned that rotation is an essential part of this process. A rotation can be described as something versatile in a flow. Often times, we find furniture to be in a group of popular objects in rotation. We can find armoires used as closets that are a part of a collection. Also we see this with bedroom sets. Each one has a bed, a chest drawers, sometimes a mirror, and a side table. all of these things work together to form something that is whole.
This chair is of many from the period of when revolutions started to have a significant effect on society as well as design. For every table there were also chairs that were designed to complete this idea of a dining set. This particular chair does not have arm rests but that does not mean that it was the only kind of chair. Intricate designs were very ideal for this period, which people got used to over time.
From the ancient times, with the expansion of empires and the frequent battles over land, we began to see that architecture sort of emulates this idea with its buildings being able to spread and have weight distribution. I would refer to this as a reflection to the ancient world. When we look to history of architecture, we can look at many eras and still be inspired. I think that is that design is all about. It is good when people create new ways of doing things in addition to new approaches. Also I believe that if we can reflect on the past, we can revive what was once admired and bring it back in a new style that would still have a sense of attractiveness
This is my interpretation of Carter's Grove Plantation which is a Palladio inspired villa. This particular house shows how expansion was used to show status of one's wealth. It spreads horizontally so that it looks larger, however we do not the exact dimensions just by looking at it. The landscape for this villa can only be expected to add to its prestige.
Reflection: architecturally speaking, it is vital that sources are incorporated in what ever we are seeking to accomplish. I think that if we didn't have those foundations, we could not have a stable idea or design. Also, for that design to be able to have its structure and have its specialty, its movement should be addressed. When we think about movement, we should ask ourselves, "How can it evolve?" also "Can it stand the test of time?". Answering those questions leads us to the illumination of details. Those answers highlight what is going to be special about a certain space or a given idea. It is a bonus if that idea can rotate and have many different faces to it. If it can be put in a category and yet still have its versatility. Although, as we face difficulties throughout any process, we often have to reflect on past experiences in order to move forward and create outstanding designs.
Citation: Scott, Alan J. (2002) Daddy's Stories About Rocket Ships, Dinsaurs, Trains and More... Mar. 31, 2009 (http://physics.uwstout.edu/geo/bedtime/daddy%27s%20stories.htm)
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Alternatives
Villa Rotunda >
With the renaissance being in the past and people now looking on to the future, there began to be new and more innovative ways of doing things. As the baroque style emerged, it was clear that a new era had arrived. With the ancient world still being a very important part of architecture given that it is the foundation to almost all forms of design, it is now time to take a step forward from that foundation and build on to it. As the renaissance came to an end, people showed demand for a new way of life as well as new structures and simplicity. The baroque style was all about taking the rules of the ancient world and the renaissance and re-writing them to suit the fresh new style of Baroque.
During this new style there were now more people who were employed to do the job. There was not just an architect or just a designer on the job, there were several experts who were to work together and establish an understanding between one another about what was to be designed and built. In Italy it was mostly controlled by the church. “This resulted in guidelines established by the church for the use of artists and patrons; artistic works for the church had to communicate biblical truths and, among other stipulations, to strictly follow specified propriety in the treatment of nudes.”(152) Art was now as important as the actual architecture. We begin to see that details were not just plastered onto a façade; instead they were actually embedded within it. “Architecture, painting, and sculpture were merged in a way that did not capitalize on the unique properties of each medium; rather, architecture assumed the pliable properties of sculpture, or architecture and sculpture took on the properties most characteristic of painting.” (153)
While in the renaissance, it was all about reaching up towards heaven. This was where the strong hold of the church came to be fully established. In the ancient world it was all about the verticality, although now as things were changing dramatically, horizontality became the new wave of religious thinking. The renaissance gave way to a more relaxed way of living. It brought about the construction of villas and country houses outside of the city as opposed to small apartments within the crowded city walls. This gave people more time to themselves as well as a place to have peace without any worries. Due to this simplistic way of life, design began to be looked at in totally different ways. Architects were more prone to test boundaries and see how far they could set their goals. This of course gave way to breaking of the rules and thinking outside of the box. The Baroque period definitely broke the sheltered idea of classical architecture and design and opened up a new chapter on the world and how it was to be viewed. The result to this change was a more holistic view of the world, things had more meaning now than they did in the past because of the new rules that’s were incorporated.
During this new style there were now more people who were employed to do the job. There was not just an architect or just a designer on the job, there were several experts who were to work together and establish an understanding between one another about what was to be designed and built. In Italy it was mostly controlled by the church. “This resulted in guidelines established by the church for the use of artists and patrons; artistic works for the church had to communicate biblical truths and, among other stipulations, to strictly follow specified propriety in the treatment of nudes.”(152) Art was now as important as the actual architecture. We begin to see that details were not just plastered onto a façade; instead they were actually embedded within it. “Architecture, painting, and sculpture were merged in a way that did not capitalize on the unique properties of each medium; rather, architecture assumed the pliable properties of sculpture, or architecture and sculpture took on the properties most characteristic of painting.” (153)
While in the renaissance, it was all about reaching up towards heaven. This was where the strong hold of the church came to be fully established. In the ancient world it was all about the verticality, although now as things were changing dramatically, horizontality became the new wave of religious thinking. The renaissance gave way to a more relaxed way of living. It brought about the construction of villas and country houses outside of the city as opposed to small apartments within the crowded city walls. This gave people more time to themselves as well as a place to have peace without any worries. Due to this simplistic way of life, design began to be looked at in totally different ways. Architects were more prone to test boundaries and see how far they could set their goals. This of course gave way to breaking of the rules and thinking outside of the box. The Baroque period definitely broke the sheltered idea of classical architecture and design and opened up a new chapter on the world and how it was to be viewed. The result to this change was a more holistic view of the world, things had more meaning now than they did in the past because of the new rules that’s were incorporated.
citations:
Blakemore, Robbie G. History of Interior Design & Furniture Second Edition
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Tate Modern Deliverables Articualtion
Views and Perspectives that will be produced:
Ground Floor: Tickets, latest exhibition, shop, cloakroom, Clore information room, Clore education center, McAulay studios, bathroom.
Second Floor: Café, Seminar room, Starr auditorium, Shop, latest exhibition, bathroom.
Third Floor: Various rooms for latest artists, UBS Openings: Paintings from the 1980's, bathroom.
Fourth Floor: Two of the major exhibitions, shop, espresso bar, bathroom.
Fifth Floor: Various rooms as galleries, Conceptual Models: Recent Contemporary Acquisitions, bathroom.
Sixth Floor: Members Room
Seventh Floor: One of major exhibitions, bar, east room, bathroom, telephone area.
-Also Views of the main enterance.
-View from across the river.
-Birds eye view of the building.
All of the views produced will be done in quarter inch scale and with ink on paper.
Essay Outline
I History
Organization.
Actual Building Process.
Major people involved.
II Evolution
How it expanded.
What sort of art do they show.
How it is educational.
III Present/Future
Additions to the building.
Community involvement.
Memberships and publicity worldwide.
Questions/ Comments
I hope I do this right.
Will I have enough material to write everything I want to express?
Are there any magazines or books that specifically talk about this building?
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
week 7 opus
Periphery: Portfolio: Process: Perspective: Professional
When we look at our culture today, it has changed over time. Not only are we more advanced technologically but also mentally. Nowadays we think about more then just the size of something, we have to take into consideration its boundaries, how far it can go, its periphery. In the ancient times, emperors were all about how much land they could acquire. These days, that idea has is a strong foundation of the way we build and design. I believe that in order to achieve a good sense of boundary, the designs that we conceive have to be thoughtful and wholesome. The best way I can explain that is by illustrating a house with a intricate landscape design. For example, there could be a farm and all around it would be the are surrounding it. This area would consist of pastures, meadows, various roaming ranges for livestock. All of it, of coarse, would have to extend to a certain boundary. I would imagine that this boundary would be marked by a fence of some sort. This idea shows that the land around the farm, as large in size and scale as it may be, is the periphery of the farm.
Schawbel, Dan. (August 21, 2008) Personal Branding Toolkit- Part 2: Portfolios. March 17, 2009 http://personalbrandingblog.wordpress.com/2008/08/21/personal-branding-toolkit-part-2-portfolios/
This dome which was created by an extraordinary sculptor/artist, Andy Goldsworthy, is made of driftwood and sits on a shore line. He built this using a process which took several hours. Every piece of driftwood has to be strategically placed so that it does not come apart while it is being built. He like to leave an opening at the center of most of his sculptures so as to represent an idea of wholeness. Personally I think the opening in the center gives the done a mysterious feel, almost as if I want to know what is inside. As this dome floats onto the sea, each piece of driftwood floats away slowly one by one. His whole process for building the driftwood dome is to have it self destruct naturally.
This image is another sketch of a sculpture by Andy Goldsworthy which consists of a piece of rock in the shape of a triangle, sticking out from various other rocks in the ground, also with small pieces of ice connected together by snow to form a curvy shape extending upward. This particular piece is set on a sea shore so that it is overlooking the water. When the sun sets, the lighting causes the ice to glow providing a beautiful contrast against the dusk as night is falling. When I saw this, I thought it was purely magnificent, it was in complete awe as to how this process took action. I guess from my perspective, I saw it as something that was working with the sun set to create sheer beauty.
Bey, Lee. (Sept. 22, 2008). Thoroughly Modern Peterson. Lee Bey: The Urban Observer. http://leebey.com/blog1/2008/09/
As with any piece of artwork or a particular design, we as designers have to know how far we can take it. We have to know the periphery of any idea we want to bring to life. However in order to bring that idea to life we have to take steps and establish a process. This process will more then likely lead to a strong portfolio which we can then use as a foundation for that idea. We can look at the product in many different perspectives, which is good for versatility. Although as our designs become more developed, they will eventually enter a stage of professionalism. This is usually the stage where the final product gets to be shown off and critiqued. Overall, through any process, we have to take steps forward as well as back in order to create that object which we want to express to the world.
Sketch of the Villa Barbaro in northern Italy.
This villa shows that the plan of the building is one room deep, the landscape around it also plays an important part which enhances the magnificence of the actual villa. The vast garden which is shown in front of the building gives the villa a grand stature.
This villa shows that the plan of the building is one room deep, the landscape around it also plays an important part which enhances the magnificence of the actual villa. The vast garden which is shown in front of the building gives the villa a grand stature.
It takes a lot for a design or even an idea to become what it's destined to be. We can't simply imagine something and expect it to be constructed exactly that way. Maybe some designers achieve that goal but most tend to change and tweak some things around before coming up with the final product. But where do all of these ideas go? To a portfolio of coarse! Every designer, artist, and architect needs a portfolio or a collection of their work from idea to actual product. This collection most often consists of sketches, drawings, photographs, and even paintings that depict the idea the artist is trying to convey. Mostly, portfolios are a good way to keep all of ones ideas in one place which a person could easily transport with them.
Schawbel, Dan. (August 21, 2008) Personal Branding Toolkit- Part 2: Portfolios. March 17, 2009 http://personalbrandingblog.wordpress.com/2008/08/21/personal-branding-toolkit-part-2-portfolios/
Through life, we always have to take steps to get from point A to point B. These steps don’t always lead us in the exact direction we hope to go but they do teach us important lessons along the way. Steps are taken to describe a process someone is going through. Every artist, every designer, and every person has processes that they conduct which helps them do their job better. In architecture, certain processes, which became more and more advanced, were able to evolve and in turn shape modern architecture to what it is today.
This dome which was created by an extraordinary sculptor/artist, Andy Goldsworthy, is made of driftwood and sits on a shore line. He built this using a process which took several hours. Every piece of driftwood has to be strategically placed so that it does not come apart while it is being built. He like to leave an opening at the center of most of his sculptures so as to represent an idea of wholeness. Personally I think the opening in the center gives the done a mysterious feel, almost as if I want to know what is inside. As this dome floats onto the sea, each piece of driftwood floats away slowly one by one. His whole process for building the driftwood dome is to have it self destruct naturally.The way I see design can often times be very different from how my friend or a complete stranger sees it. I like when something is unique, something that is worthy of catching my eye. However that might be something another person would consider the most obtuse thing in the world. This is where perspective comes into play. The way we choose to look at certain things is our own perspective. There are those perspectives that we learn in art classes such as two and three dimensional perspectives. But I am trying to step outside of ordinary art classes and propose the idea that perspectives are many times decided by the viewer.
This image is another sketch of a sculpture by Andy Goldsworthy which consists of a piece of rock in the shape of a triangle, sticking out from various other rocks in the ground, also with small pieces of ice connected together by snow to form a curvy shape extending upward. This particular piece is set on a sea shore so that it is overlooking the water. When the sun sets, the lighting causes the ice to glow providing a beautiful contrast against the dusk as night is falling. When I saw this, I thought it was purely magnificent, it was in complete awe as to how this process took action. I guess from my perspective, I saw it as something that was working with the sun set to create sheer beauty.
In any design course that we take, we have to learn the basics about design ideas. We have to learn the history behind them and the philosophies and theories that go along with them. Starting off is always about the information and education a person can get about anything they are pursuing or studying. Not until that person has mastered the knowledge can they become a professional at whatever they strive to do. A person does not have to be a professional to understand the concept of design. However, in order to have any say about legitimate ideas and concepts of those designs, there must be some level of professionalism present. Obviously for architecture to survive, there was almost a requirement for professionals who were able to manage and coordinate the construction system or else the structures that were built would be otherwise be unimportant.
Bey, Lee. (Sept. 22, 2008). Thoroughly Modern Peterson. Lee Bey: The Urban Observer. http://leebey.com/blog1/2008/09/
This building is not only of modern build, but it is also conveying a very strong sense of professionalism. To me this looks very clean and sophisticated with very little detail. It's not unexpected but it does look quaint. This is definitely a place where one could hold an office or maybe even a studio.
Reflection:
As with any piece of artwork or a particular design, we as designers have to know how far we can take it. We have to know the periphery of any idea we want to bring to life. However in order to bring that idea to life we have to take steps and establish a process. This process will more then likely lead to a strong portfolio which we can then use as a foundation for that idea. We can look at the product in many different perspectives, which is good for versatility. Although as our designs become more developed, they will eventually enter a stage of professionalism. This is usually the stage where the final product gets to be shown off and critiqued. Overall, through any process, we have to take steps forward as well as back in order to create that object which we want to express to the world.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Foundations Unit Summary
Throughout this unit we have talked about many topics. We have gone from the earliest civilizations and dealing with Stonehenge to the early Egyptians with the Post and Lintel system to also discussing the Gothic styles of architecture of Europe. We started this Foundations unit with introducing the idea of commodity, firmness, and delight. This basically describes the function, structural integrity, and the attractiveness of a building or design.
From this point we moved on to talk about how architecture evolved over time. There were many effects which led people of ancient times to design structures which would stand to accommodate them. Climate, region, geography, and agriculture all played a significant role in how architecture was to be portrayed. Looking back, it all makes perfect sense; it’s like saying “Of course you would not build and igloo in the middle of a desert”. For instance, the earliest people used only materials that occurred in nature such as branches, grasses, and different types of rock to attain their shelters. This process continued into the era of advanced technology and the comprehension space.
With the passage of time, people became very focused on religion and higher powers. This is where structures became something of land marks. As the royals of ancient Egypt build intricate tombs which would await their death and help with the ascending to the afterlife, the slaves along with the working class were left to believe in those royals as good like. This is also where the social structure, or better known as hierarchy, began. Centuries upon centuries, hierarchy was something people, not just in Egypt but also in Greece and Mesopotamia, looked to as a grant of power. The higher the social status, more benefits were offered to a particular person.
While everyone tried to climb the social latter people started to mark their wealth with the houses that were built for them as well as monuments that would stand for them. Over time, residences as well as public buildings began to be something to take notice of. The rise of the acropolis was something that was important in all cities across the empire. This was a place that could be used as a market place or even a place where annual festivals could be held. It was a big deal because some cities would be centered around an acropolis.
With the expansion of empires, people began utilizing trade as well as transporting ideas of different types of designs. With Egypt and Greece, the waterway was a crucial significance within the society. The Nile River offered fertile soil for agriculture as well as a means of traditional festivities. The sea for Greece was also important in that it provided food and transportation throughout the Greek empire.
Overall throughout this unit I have learned that the evolving of ideas within people is the main driving force of design and architecture. Change is important and it is never ending. Without advancements, we as a people would not have as many opportunities as we do today. Whether it is architecture, religion, or social standing, the world has to move forward in order to survive. However I do believe that the past is something we should always remember because it is, after all, the foundation of our world as it is today.
From this point we moved on to talk about how architecture evolved over time. There were many effects which led people of ancient times to design structures which would stand to accommodate them. Climate, region, geography, and agriculture all played a significant role in how architecture was to be portrayed. Looking back, it all makes perfect sense; it’s like saying “Of course you would not build and igloo in the middle of a desert”. For instance, the earliest people used only materials that occurred in nature such as branches, grasses, and different types of rock to attain their shelters. This process continued into the era of advanced technology and the comprehension space.
With the passage of time, people became very focused on religion and higher powers. This is where structures became something of land marks. As the royals of ancient Egypt build intricate tombs which would await their death and help with the ascending to the afterlife, the slaves along with the working class were left to believe in those royals as good like. This is also where the social structure, or better known as hierarchy, began. Centuries upon centuries, hierarchy was something people, not just in Egypt but also in Greece and Mesopotamia, looked to as a grant of power. The higher the social status, more benefits were offered to a particular person.
While everyone tried to climb the social latter people started to mark their wealth with the houses that were built for them as well as monuments that would stand for them. Over time, residences as well as public buildings began to be something to take notice of. The rise of the acropolis was something that was important in all cities across the empire. This was a place that could be used as a market place or even a place where annual festivals could be held. It was a big deal because some cities would be centered around an acropolis.
With the expansion of empires, people began utilizing trade as well as transporting ideas of different types of designs. With Egypt and Greece, the waterway was a crucial significance within the society. The Nile River offered fertile soil for agriculture as well as a means of traditional festivities. The sea for Greece was also important in that it provided food and transportation throughout the Greek empire.
Overall throughout this unit I have learned that the evolving of ideas within people is the main driving force of design and architecture. Change is important and it is never ending. Without advancements, we as a people would not have as many opportunities as we do today. Whether it is architecture, religion, or social standing, the world has to move forward in order to survive. However I do believe that the past is something we should always remember because it is, after all, the foundation of our world as it is today.
citation
image: Mace, Beki. Feb. 12, 2009. Evolution. Tutor2u. Religious Studies Blog.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Opus Week 5
Presence : Precendent : Moments : Duality : Metric
When I look at how design begins to shape our culture one piece at a time, I also wonder how the sheer presence of an object or even an idea can make so much difference in the world. I tend to look at the people and the situations around me, and I always notice some common ground. In architecture however, I feel that presence is taken to the next level. I feel that the presence of a structure, whether it be a building or some sort of sculpture, is often associated with how much significance it has in or to a specific society. For example, the Statue of Liberty is a huge monument which stands for freedom within this country. That alone signifies the importance of its presence. In my opinion every piece of architecture is designed to bring about some sort of presence, something that evokes a feeling within a person. That feeling can be both positive and or negative, as long as there is something felt. Architecture is not the only subject which can claim presence as its own. We can look at music, religion, and even science to find presence. For instance, if we look at the beginnings of the Christian religion we can tell that the faith was accepted by more people, the buildings of worship became more important. Thus giving us a good example of how significance within a community results in the importance of presence.
Historically, architecture, music, art, and design as a whole was and still is based on moments. Moments of comfort, moments or pleasure, moments of joy, and many others. It is all moments in general that make up why we live how we live and why we view things as differently as we do. If we look at architecture, every structure was build in a moment in time. Every one of those moments in turn takes a significant role in history so to define they way communities accepted changes.
Some designs were built for a certain moment to capture a feeling or maybe even a thought. For example, the design of the pendentive was incorporated so as to allow light into a space. This light, such as those from windows in churches or even oculars within domes, are designed to capture light at a specific moment and guide it in a certain direction. Sometimes this does not play out as well as it is planned, but even the intention of it sometimes matters more.
Many times when I am asked to think critically about a design I often draw a blank. Usually I used to think that if I liked the way something looked then it was a good design. However much to my surprise, design works in a duality of ways. There are many parts that have to be taken into consideration before you can truly decide whether a certain design is good.
When I look at how design begins to shape our culture one piece at a time, I also wonder how the sheer presence of an object or even an idea can make so much difference in the world. I tend to look at the people and the situations around me, and I always notice some common ground. In architecture however, I feel that presence is taken to the next level. I feel that the presence of a structure, whether it be a building or some sort of sculpture, is often associated with how much significance it has in or to a specific society. For example, the Statue of Liberty is a huge monument which stands for freedom within this country. That alone signifies the importance of its presence. In my opinion every piece of architecture is designed to bring about some sort of presence, something that evokes a feeling within a person. That feeling can be both positive and or negative, as long as there is something felt. Architecture is not the only subject which can claim presence as its own. We can look at music, religion, and even science to find presence. For instance, if we look at the beginnings of the Christian religion we can tell that the faith was accepted by more people, the buildings of worship became more important. Thus giving us a good example of how significance within a community results in the importance of presence.
As Constantine became emperor he also brought with him the Christian faith. The Temple of Constantine which is shown above is just my interpretation of what it looked like. I would imagine that when it was first built, it was monstrous. Being that Christianity was so important now, the structures dedicated to it would have to have been something of equal significance. Although the people were now more in tune with how they practiced their faith, the physical perspective was not taken as seriously as in the past. I, however, would disagree completely. I believe that this was the beginning of architecture in its hybrid stage.
The something is done varies with every person. Most people want to take the easy way through any task, however some people out there actually want to invest their time in details and precision. Then there are those who rarely perfect both, those who can work at a fast pace and still be very aware of details which can sometimes make or brake a project. I can safely say that I am not one of these rarities. I like to follow a guide and know that what I am doing is on the right track. It doesn't matter if I am dealing with school or work, homework or any old paperwork, I like to always have a plan. This is when I can best describe precedents. At first I didn't relate it so closely to myself mainly because when I looked at the actual word, I for some reason thought of government and law. However, as I think about it, precedents are embedded in almost anything. If we make mistakes, we learn from them and try not to make the same ones. That is how we survive. If there was no change in the world we as a people would not get anywhere. Whether in design or science or even religion, we take on an idea and we practice it until we feel that it is satisfactory to our own preferences. If we look at the churches over our history, we can see that with each society there were changes that led to a new and effective product. The change would have not occurred without a trial and error at some point.
The Dome view on the left is roughly one dimensional. However if we observe domes in general, we can clearly find that precedents lay at the root of this idea. The dome would not be possible without the existence of the arch. However without the post and lintel system of the early Egyptians, even the arch would be somewhat impossible. Domes did not just come to exist out of nowhere, this type of architecture had to be developed somehow. Without the precedents of ancient architects, domes would cease to exist much less have a fraction of importance in design.
Historically, architecture, music, art, and design as a whole was and still is based on moments. Moments of comfort, moments or pleasure, moments of joy, and many others. It is all moments in general that make up why we live how we live and why we view things as differently as we do. If we look at architecture, every structure was build in a moment in time. Every one of those moments in turn takes a significant role in history so to define they way communities accepted changes.
Some designs were built for a certain moment to capture a feeling or maybe even a thought. For example, the design of the pendentive was incorporated so as to allow light into a space. This light, such as those from windows in churches or even oculars within domes, are designed to capture light at a specific moment and guide it in a certain direction. Sometimes this does not play out as well as it is planned, but even the intention of it sometimes matters more.Many times when I am asked to think critically about a design I often draw a blank. Usually I used to think that if I liked the way something looked then it was a good design. However much to my surprise, design works in a duality of ways. There are many parts that have to be taken into consideration before you can truly decide whether a certain design is good.
A system of duality can be described by the Mote and Bailey system. Having a shelter atop a hill which descends into a small valley-like ground. The two features work well together because the shelter serves as a level of royalty. This is a place where the overseer resides. However the upper level would be nothing without the small camp-like residence which sits just a few feet lower.
Measurements are taken very seriously among architecture. Almost everything that is created needs some sort of measurement system as a backbone. One unit of measure is metric. This unit is used worldwide, there are only a few countries that use the standard version. In any type of design measurements are crucial, without them we would not have the structures that we do today.
Reflection:
When I think about design and how it greatly involves the process of weaving things together. Looking back on the things that I have learned this week, I know that presence is very important in the idea of how architecture turns out. Precedents act as a blueprint as well as a guide to any kind of design. All the effort that is being out into design is basically for one purpose and that is to create special moments from the structure to the viewer. The duality is also something that u can relate to measurements because we currently have two units of measure: metric and standard.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
20th Century Building
Title: Tate Modern
Date of Construction: 1947
Designer: Giles Gilbert Scott
Location: London, England
The world of design is always changing. The fashion, architecture, and even the views of the public are all associated with how design is evolving. A great characteristic of Tate Modern is that while the actual building has always been the same, the idea behind it has had many alterations. Going from a power station to a monumental art gallery is definitely something that caught my attention.
This building shows how location as well as structure work together to form an amazing idea. The gallery is considered to be one of the largest in the world. However, while Tate Modern Gallery was around way before the actual power station, they joined forces in 2000 to form an outstanding structure that conveys great simplicity from both the interior as well as the exterior.
Date of Construction: 1947
Designer: Giles Gilbert Scott
Location: London, England
The world of design is always changing. The fashion, architecture, and even the views of the public are all associated with how design is evolving. A great characteristic of Tate Modern is that while the actual building has always been the same, the idea behind it has had many alterations. Going from a power station to a monumental art gallery is definitely something that caught my attention.
This building shows how location as well as structure work together to form an amazing idea. The gallery is considered to be one of the largest in the world. However, while Tate Modern Gallery was around way before the actual power station, they joined forces in 2000 to form an outstanding structure that conveys great simplicity from both the interior as well as the exterior.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
week 4 opus
Parts : Whole; Source; Archetype : Prototype : Hybrid; Entourage; Hierarchy; Order
In order to convey parts to a whole or parts of a whole, there are many things to consider. We can look at architecture for one. How do some many things shape the buildings that we admire or detest? We can also look at our planet. How does everything somehow work so spontaneously and yet in unison? In my opinion the basic idea of parts : whole is that all things in life have to work together in order to be sustainable. When I look back at what I have read in both Roth and Blakemore, I feel that they both describe this idea in simple terms. That is to say that in ancient times, people came together to form something greater than themselves. They build pyramids, temples, forums, and walls in order to symbolize that in order to have a whole you must bring it together by using different parts.
One specific topic I would like to emphasize on is that of the forum. A forum was very popular among many ancient civilizations. It was used as not only a socializing ground but also as a place where people could conduct business and trade. " At the heart of these old cities, culturally if not always topographically, was the forum, the civic open space lined with loggias and civil buildings." Roth (253)
This would be a great example of a forum. An agora is a place where society hosts different traditions. For example the Pan-Hellenic procession would be held here every four years.
Every piece of architecture has an origin. Like word of mouth, materials for building different things spread across nations. Like the post and lintel system which dates back to the early Egyptians, the Greeks and Romans have long used it as well. Thus being said, source of the post and lintel system is primarily in Egypt. I would say also that with many things in life, sources are vital. They almost act as support systems to our ideas. Like birth, everything must have a source, a place where it comes from.
The idea of Archetype : Prototype : Hybrid is one that is known widely as a process rather than just an idea. It's the transformation from one thing to the next with there being an improvement within those stages. The orders of columns are yet again a perfect example of a structure which was improved over time. This Doric was a prototype for the Ionic, and the Ionic was a prototype for the Corinthian. The archetype is always the starting point. The prototype is the next level, and the hybrid is the transformation to the next brand or style. The basilica was also one of the structures that was taken from a starting point and transformed into something bigger. The basilica of the ancient Rome was actually used as a foundation for some of the later churches.
Having people within your community that help a person with their daily lives is something that describes the word entourage to me. I think that the people around you a.k.a your friends are those who make up the group that is considered to be your entourage. Much like with people, entourage can be used to describe a building as well as its surroundings. Within a city there are large buildings that usually represents something that is important in the community. Take for instance a court, it's usually of substantial size so that its strength is conveyed through. Around this court are smaller buildings that outline the courts appeal. In my opinion, the smaller buildings around bigger structures are what makes up an entourage in architecture.
Hierarchy was a big deal in the ancient times. A great example were the pyramids and the tombs that were built. Another example of hierarchy in a visual perspective was the amphitheater. To me I think that this shows how the social system was organized. At the very front on the bottom were the elite. Those who could be closest to the spectacle. As you go up through the steps were commoners.
Order is also something that I think I think is closely linked to the system of hierarchy. The way of organizing architecture is a lot like organizing people in society. Order is kept throughout life all of the time with the help of many processes.
Reflection:
For this week we were asked to look at many things. All of the words that we have talked about all link together quite smoothly. In my opinion the way I can put all of these ides together is by saying that all of the parts of a whole are created from one or many sources. These parts of a whole can often go from an archetype to a prototype to eventually becoming something totally different or a hybrid. This journey can be described as a latter of hierarchy that follows a certain order. However without an entourage, the journey would not have as big of an effect or meaning as it does.
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