Sectional Perspective

Well, we're so nearly at the end. As we all frantically try to organise our final presentations, finish our models and delve into the dangers of printing I wish good luck to all.

As [probably] the penultimate post of the year, here is my sectional perspective drawing. As with the visuals, this is hand drawn and then Photoshopped. I've based this on the section submitted in my Tech Report, there are a few things I'd like to still tweak on this, but it's 95% there.

Visuals

When thinking about how I represent this building in three dimensions I decided to try several different ways. I've used sketches and models throughout the design process, with little 3d computer modelling. I wanted to try and do something I've not done so much of in the past so rather than 3d renderings have opted for a large physical model and a series of sketches/drawings to explain the site and proposal.

The image below shows the crèche, which is adjacent to the main entrance of the school. Hand drawing is not my greatest strength, so I've gone for the clean line drawing with photoshopped textures, shadows etc. Although it doesn't instantly come across as being hand drawn, I'm happy with the outcome and intend to use this to produce a few more visuals as well as a sectional perspective.

The image at the bottom is a photo of my physical model, taken on my phone so apologies for the poor quality. I just have a few dozen trees to make and then it'll be done.

As always, I'm interested in any comments you may have.

Preparing the final presentation

It's been a while since my last update and I've been very busy. I just wanted to update with some development images I'm preparing for the final presentation, hopefully to get some feedback. These will be the first three images of the presentation, showing the location plan and the concept behind the proposal, I won't explain them too much as hopefully they'll tell you what you need to know.

Any thoughts or comments gladly welcome.

12 Reasons to Refuse to Render?

Interesting article on the Young Architect blog on why architect's should refuse to do CG renderings, head over there and check it out.

Do you think it's a good point about knowing more about 3D software than [the more useful?] CAD programmes? Personally, I feel I'm more in tune with CAD (albeit it Microstation) than I am with 3D rendering; I prefer to use it sparingly nowadays. I'll certainly be using it for my final presentation; I think it's a very strong tool for representing spaces, particularly if you feel (like me) that whilst your hand-drawing is good for sketching and developing ideas it does not have the sophistication to turn them into presentation images.

It's a good point about leaving these things to the professionals too, it is, after all, what they're there for. I agree with the response to the article that suggests we try and be 'jacks of all trades and masters of none.' We don't necessarily have to be good at rendering/3d modelling to be good architects.

The Independent's "50 Great Ideas for the 21st Century"

I came across this whilst researching sheep's wool insulation (in at number 29) and there are some fantastic ideas on this list.

50 Great Ideas for the 21st Century.

Library Building - Developing the Architectural Language

Myself and Ed had a meeting with Steve yesterday which proved very useful and an important step in the project. Steve had us pin up drawings at the scale we aim to present them and it soon became clear where there were gaps in the design, for example certain areas of the site plan were more define than others and the main school entrance seemed insignificant. Besides tweaking the floor plans and site plan, the elevations needed a bit of re-thinking, particularly the elibrary elevation facing the school.

This is what I pinned up and presented to Steve:

This was directly developed from the model that I have previously posted images of and the general consensus was that there was no unified architectural language, there are three or four different styles forming and it makes the elevation untidy. The vertical timber boarding had promise but the differing window heights, horizontal boarding and most of all the 'Swiss Lodge' overhanging eaves to the entrance just don't work.

So, I revisited this and have developed a more uniform language, one I'm still working on but am substantially more happy with.. I have taken the vertical boarding and laid them in 250mm wide elements, the windows are now all the same height and the widths are all a multiple of 250mm (thanks for that idea Ed!); they have also been recessed 100m and give extended openings above and below. The roof has been made completely flat, with parapets and green roofs throughout. The colours have been toned down to become softer, pastel shades.

The two options below show one with vertical timber boards (top) and the other with the timber painted in 10 different colours (plus white) to create a pattern.


Personally, I find the elevation with the timber boards to be the more successful; the coloured boards seems disjointed and perhaps too overwhelming considering that this will face the school.

I'd be interested to hear what people have to say regarding these, any preference?

Facade refurbishment

Following my earlier post, here's an image which shows a first attempt at updating the school elevation which fronts the street and wall.

The majority of the building has been re-clad in vertically laid willow reeds, with the windows being made much smaller. The stair elements have been rendered white (the one shown connects to the new library building) and the new classrooms on the ground floor have been given a simple rendered finish, using the colour palette adopted elsewhere.

I'm not entirely convinced by this at the minute, I like the simplicity of it, I don't think it requires a complex resolution. It may just be that this drawing doesn't quite do it justice or perhaps I need to play with the proportions of the windows etc.

Existing building re-furbishment

As part of my project I am proposing a refurbishment of the existing school; this will be on a strategic level (i.e. proposing change of use, re-decorating) but one element that I am looking at in more detail is the external fabric.



As the above photo shows, it's currently a typically unpleasant 60's school building, enveloped by glass and blue concrete panels. From experience I know that classes on the South face (to the street and the new wall) are cold, due to the large expanses of glazing, and that the classrooms on the North side overheat drastically. The same treatment is used all the way around the building and I am planning to propose a solution to these problems. The way to do this is to propose alternative façade treatments for North and South facing elevations.

Looking for some options I found this school refurbishment in Schulzendorf:


Like a basket, the new façade is woven from willow reeds; this got me thinking. As part of my proposal I am removing two fairly large willow trees from the site, I could use these to create the new façade (or as much as it would cover, I guess around 50%). The South elevation could be very similar to the Schulzendorf school but with the inclusion of more colour, particularly where the re-furbished classrooms on the ground floor protrude. The South façade requires a little more thinking about, there needs to be solar shading incorporated. This could either be as canopies or woven (literally?!) into the cladding system. The diagrams below explore some of the options:

The North elevation facing Bricknell Avenue and the new wall:


Options for the South façade:

The image below shows an option using coloured panels rather than willow, which is an option for both elevations. The panels are curved in various forms to overhang the window openings to create the shading.




Considering the options, I think the willow panels may be the best option, for aesthetic and susainable reasons. I think the first skecth, showing a simple solution to the North elevation with a more playful element to the South elevation (with the curves to create shading) is the best way forward..

I've not been able to find much out about willow as a cladding material, so if anyone has any links or suggestions please let me know.

Celebrating 90 years of the Bauhaus

Enjoy this 2 part article about the Bauhaus, which is 90 years old this year.

Celebrating 90 Years of Bauhaus

Book Review: A Whole New Mind: Why Right-brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel Pink

Something new for the blog, a book review; I'm not particularly one for reviewing books, especially in writing but I enjoyed this one so much I thought I should recommend it.



I came across Daniel Pink's book whilst looking for some books regarding well-being particularly in relation to community and economy. I started it three nights ago and by lunch time today had finished it (excessive train travels helps!), having been completely engrossed by it. Without wanting to spend too much time reviewing the book I'll outline the ideas that run through it.

Pink starts by introducing a historical narrative of the progression of human society through 4 main 'ages':

1. Agricultural Age (farmers)
2. Industrial Age (factory workers)
3. Information Age (knowledge workers)
4. Conceptual Age (creators and empathisers)

Number 4, the conceptual age is a new idea and is the focus of the book. Pink argues that logical, 'left-sided' thinking has got us to the stage of society that we currently find ourselves at but that this is no longer sufficient for us to survive and develop. What is needed is for 'right-sided' creative thinking to become more prevalent, to support the still essential linear and processing skills of the left-sided thinkers. Obviously this struck a chord with me, what with being in a creative industry, but Pink aims his book at everybody, from lawyers to architects. He identifies three trends that offer challenges to the future of Western industry, the "3 A's": Asia, Abundance and Automation. That is:

1. Can someone overseas do it cheaper? Outsourcing of jobs to Asia, particularly India and China.
   
2. Is what I'm offering in demand in an age of abundance? Our society has never been wealthier and more in possession of material goods.
   
3. Can a computer do it faster?

The book offers solutions to these questions, as an example whilst software programming may be outsourced to India, where similarly trained workers can do the job cheaper. However, someone still needs to have the intuition and creativity to create that software, that cannot be outsourced as easily due to local requirements, meetings, etc.

Pink offers 6 'senses' through which to deal with these new challenges:

1. Design - Moving beyond function to engage the sense.
2. Story - Narrative added to products and services - not just argument. Best of the six senses.
3. Symphony - Adding invention and big picture thinking (not just detail focus).
4. Empathy - Going beyond logic and engaging emotion and intuition.
5. Play - Bringing humour and light-heartedness to business and products.
6. Meaning - Immaterial feelings and values of products.

As well as offering an explanation of these terms, the book provides a 'portfolio', or set of examples through which you can practice them and increase your creativity. One of these suggestions is to join a 'Laughing Club'; I'm currently on the lookout for my local one!

From a personal perspective, it seems obvious to me that these 6 'senses' identify exactly what we're trying to achieve in the Grad Dip course and especially in our thesis projects. It certainly helped to focus my thoughts.

Anyway, a late night review cannot do this book enough justice; whether a creative type or not I fully recommend getting yourself a copy of this book, it may not change your life but it might just help it.