Edge defined intersections...

I did a quick overlay of a sketch from over the weekend to start to better define some of the architctural elements that are of interest to me.  In my rough diagrams, I have been interested in diagraming paths, transition spaces and analyzing how people move through and more specifically, what makes them move through or decide to stay.

What immediately stood out to me were the vertical edges created by the buildings as one moves down the path.  The edges signify intersections within the environment and are typically spaces of activity.  The edges define the start of new paths and voids within the landscape.  These void encourage further exlploration and imply that there is more to the landscape than the single path we are currently on.  This sketch is a generic snapshot encompassing several hundred feet.  Within this space, there are numerous signals and keys that can either promote or restrict interaction.  What I start to think about is how these principles would interact if applied within a single room or space.  What are the architectural elements and clues that lead people through the space, cause us to linger or cuase us to flee.  I'm goign to analyze these study models in section next to and see where it leads.

Week 4 Wrap Up

    There's a great Simpson's episode from many years ago where Millhouse's parents are splitting up.  The episode opens with the parents playing win-lose or draw at the Simpson's house.  Kurt and Luanne (Millhouse's parents) are on the same team and Kurt is attempting to draw "dignity."  He is maddeningly frustrated with his wife not being able to solve his sketch, leading to probably my favorite Simpsons quote of all time; "Do you want me to show it to the cat Luanne?  Cause...the cat's gonna get it...IT'S DIGNITY!"
    So what does this have to do with thesis?  Well, for the past  6 days, I have been attempting to define, diagram and analyze "authentic."  Much like tryign to draw "dignity", there really is nothing concrete to represent or analyze.  There is a great deal of personal interpretation and ambiguity that has prvented me from making large strides this week.
    However, I created some mini-sketch problems this weekend and they allowed me to move beyond "authentic" and start to explore the components of genuine and unique architecture.  In the next week, I would like to not even use the "A" word, because I believe, more and more that my thesis does not exist here.  Instead, I've chosen to focus on public space and the process of sequence and movement through space.  I am interested in how public space attracts visitors and for what function.  Is the architecture the reason for the people being there or does the architecture simply serve the function in that space.  Likewise, and more importantly, how can architecture create memorable and unique experiences for the user.  There is nothing memorable about strip malls, Kmarts or one stop shopping malls, other than the products purchased within.  Successful architecture defines the space and creates a sense of place for the individual.  The process of shopping, working, socializing becomes more meaningful when the surroundings add to the experience.

Saturday sketch problem:  I created a mini-snapshot of an urban environment that I felt worked successfully.  While streets and sidewalks follow a set order, they are not extremely rigid, allowing for varying movement through the space.  There is ample public green space and gathering space and plenty of opportunity for exploration.  This was successful in identifying some basic design ideas that I like, however this was still too broad.  Likewise, in my mind this is urban, but I can see how anyone could look at this and see it as new planned development.

On Sunday, I developed a second sketch problem to focus on more specific elements of design within an urban setting that interest me.  I wanted to reduce the scale so that I was on a truly human scale.  This allowed me to better understand how architectural elements can accentuate a space and how we view them.  How a series of columns can define a path.  How a facade with numerous reveals can create void space in the horizontal direction for people to use.  I am hoping to expand upon this model to better understand how people use space and how space can make more meaniful and memorable experiences.

Brainstorms

I'm still exploring different thesis directions...key words that keep presenting themselves are authentic, unique, community, suburban, and sequence.  Last Sunday on the first day of the intensive, I discussed with Mike and Denise about how I love my neighborhood where I live, but do not like the office I work in.  This led to a sketch problem where I added the elements I appreciate from my neighborhood to my work environment.  As the week went on, I got into more issues of sprawl and abandoned space, so I wanted to go back to an earlier concept for a night to change my thinking a bit.

I began to consider what elements of the urban workplace would I like to see within the suburban "isolated box" environment.  The urban office environment and cityscape surrounding areas of business provide a sense of community and unity that is not achieved in the suburban environment.  There are more opportunities for social and human interaction.  Shared experiences such as riding mass transportation provide a togetherness that is not achieved sitting alone in traffic.

I would like to explore how and if architecture can provide these same expereinces within the existing suburban office environment.

Neither rain nor sleet...

So I mailed some library books back from boston on saturday before presentations...I think a bear got it.

All books accounted for tho.

What it means to be authentic...

After a week's worh or intensive diagraming, vignettes and sketch problems, there are several themes or ideas that I am drawn to.  Thus far, I have been looking at the urban / suburban connection as well as the "usused" space that sometimes separates these areas.  I am still trying to narrow my focus into a more defined area of study.  Something that keeps coming up is the idea of an "authentic" experience.  What exactly does that mean, to be "authentic."  To me, this means original, unique and un-copyable (if that's a word).  The spaces and architecture you may enconter in New York's Soho area or Boston's North End are authentic areas that conjure up unique and irreplaceable images and memories.  Olive garden and TGI Fridays are the polar opposite of this.  My presentation on Sunday struggled in that I was too emotional and opinion based, rather than analytical.  I am hoping that by defining some terms this week and digging a little deeper, I will unearth a more focused thesis statement.

I created a simple drawdel / collage to illustrate what I immediately think of when I think "authentic.  This is a starting place for more studies to follow.

I chose images from my recent trip and my recent work in Cincinnati to illustrate authenticity.  I oriented the images along a changing path because I feel change or deviation is associated with authenticity.  That is not to say something rigid cannot be authentic; just that in change of form, I see creativity.

Images, buildings, streets or spaces that evoke strong emotional connections or memories hold autheticity.  In a way, thre is a certain classic element to this.  That is not to say that something new cannot be authentic, although wen we think authetic, we typically think "old".  What is a word for something new that is also authentic?  Innovative, original, unique, unprecedented?

The falling figures in the Pei addition evoked a number of emotions for me.  As soon as I saw the figures, I was reminded of 9/11.  I do not know (and I doubt) that this was the intention of the artist, however, I believe this lends authenticity to the exhibition.  The ability to cause a person to recall a vivid memory or evoke a strong emotional response;  I realize this is not in line with my office/suburbia presentation, but I am curious as to where this can lead.

Architecture that does not excite...

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I’ve been spending the last week or so downtown field measuring a building set for renovation.  My office is north of the city in the suburbs, so I rarely get the chance to walk around the city and observe the weekday happenings of Cincinnati.  There were a couple of things that stood out to me.  The first is the parking garage of Cincinnati’s newest and tallest building, the Great American tower.

What I noticed right away was the glazing at the corner of the garage.  Inside this glazed box is, of course, the stairs.  It got me thinking about how many times (numerous) I’ve seen this done in buildings, especially in the past few years.  Then I realized that I myself did the same thing on my semester 2 studio project; not a parking garage stair, but an emergency egress stair regardless.  Anyway, looking at this in the freezing cold made me realize that I really don’t like this evolution in design.  What is it about stairs that architect's feel the need to show them off?  How often do we really "see" the people moving in the stairs?  It seems like a very elementary solution to the question of how to make a parking garage more aesthetically pleasing.  Is tacking on glazing to reveal stairs the best solution we have.  Personally, I'd rather see the cars moving up and down rather than the people.

The other gem I found was this tropical paradise at the food court / atrium of an office building.

Notice how my co-worker stares longingly at the soothing waters and he watches his hopes and dreams float away.  Now, I have seen indoor fountains, and I have seen indoor reflection pools, but I have never seen an indoor stream.  I guess with a cold climate like Cincinnati, we are forced to create artificial outdoor spaces on the interior; but I just can't see how anyone would find this pleasing.  Do people find this type of arrangement appealing?  Couldn't this space be put to better use?  I realize we need interior spaces like this, but can't we come up with a better way to incorporate water into our interior spaces?  I bet Sal and Angie would be interested in this.

More Favorites...

John Lautner is another architect who's work I really admire and find myself gravitating towards.  He studied under Frank Lloyd Wright and his early designed followed many of his taught principles.  As Lautener went on his own in the 50's and 60's he made more of a name for himself by creating contemporary designs with opens, spacious floor plans, and a strong connections between interior and exterior.  The gestures contained within his work are truly miraculous.  Sweeping curves that compliments stark horizontal planes.  Glazing that strecthes 10 or 15 feet high and is balanced delicately between concrete slab and concrete roof above.  This is architecture that I find very spatial and free flowing in nature.  When you look at a portion of the work, it is view as a whole, however, it can be broken down into many sub-shapes and forms, eaching working together in harmony.  I imagine the design process as each of his works went through the design phase; it seems as though modeling these ideas would be infinitely exciting.

This is the Stevens Residence in Malibu California, 1968.

The linear elements are very simple, yet when combined, they create a striking yet harmonious balance.  The sweeping arc dominated the elevation, but it is supported by the more linear geometry of the facade and glazing below.  Linear forms radiating out from the counter arc present the image of a fan.  There are an infinite number of geometrical forms you can draw from this facade.  You can just imagine how many different radiuses were experimented with.  Even the reflection in the glass and the patterns in the sand give definition to the design; as though it is constantly moving and in flux, though stationary.  Lautner's spaces are what I love about architecture - spaces that make you say wow and are undeniably cool.

Also, fun fact, Lautner's homes have been used in many hollywood movies and television shows...if you're a Big Lebowshi fan, Jackie Treehorn's house was a Lautner.