architecture studio 102

Midterm Portfolio

Julio Soriano

Arch 102

Spring 2013 - CCSF

Developing a Conceptual Language

“Complexity vs. simplicity”

“Communicative vs. mute”

“Expressive vs. neutral”

Functionality:

A Bridge

- Connecting two sides of the gorge

Overnight facility

- Sleeping room (30 Hikers)

- Outdoor covered common area (30-50 hikers)

- One private lookout

- Secure backpack storage area (200 sf)

- Wood storage (200 sf)

- Restroom Facility (200 sf)

- Overflow area

- Helicopter landing path (non for commercial purposes)

My design language communicates a conversation between the site and the structure.

One system of rectangular

shapes penetrating each

other.

Sketching ideas

that create

another

dimension.

Integration of two systems.

Curvilinear shapes interacting

with geometrical shapes.

Exploration of two

different systems:

- Geometrical layers

- Curvilinear elements

PROS

-Three systems were

incorporated.

-Clean and well crafted

3D model.

CONS

- Gesture model doesn’t show

unity.

-Elements are imposed to each

other.

-There is not conversation

between the elements.

PROS

- Model fits perfectly in a 6” by 6” box.

- Well crafted abstract model.

CONS

- Closed gesture model

¼” geometrical layers

distributed to create a

curvilinear composition.

The Starry Night Dutch post impressionist

Vincent Van Gogh

Richard Serra

American minimalistic sculptor and

video artist from San Francisco

CONS

-My initial response was to build

a bridge that will connect both

sides.

PROS

-Sketching ideas visualized the

construction of the model.

- I used a monochromatic white

paper to develop the first site

model.

1. How to create a design that will evoke transformation and growth?

2. How to maintain unity between the entrance, the bridge and the overnight structure?

3. How will the structure create a sense of wonder?

4. How to build a structure that will be functional and balanced with the site?

5. Hiker’s questions: What is a bridge? What is there? Why are we here now?

6. What is the purpose of crossing the bridge?

7. Will the hikers experience enlightenment during, before and after crossing the bridge?

8. What determines a hiker’s next journey?

9. How will the design transport the hikers to another dimension?

10. How to define pathways for each hiker to choose before entering the structure?

1. What is the meaning of a gorge?

2. What determine a new journey?

3. What are the spatial experiences in a

landmark?

The Gorge is cutting through the rocky plain.

Temperate and climate (warm days and cool days).

The geography is red rock (similar to the American Southwest).

Westerly wind patterns from the lower plateau hit the wall of the high plateau.

Low Humidity due to the dry surfaces.

Questions:

- What kind of soil is present on both plateaus?

- What is the wild life of the gorge?

- What is the condensation and precipitation elements of the gorge?

What is wind?

Wind is the movement of air over the surface of the Earth, from areas of high pressure to low pressure. It’s these differences in temperature, together with the rotation of the planet that creates the wind.

Wind Erosion

By deflation - Lifting and removal of loose sand and dust particles from the surface.

By abrasion – Sandblasting action of windblown sand.

Westerly winds are prominent in the Southwest of America.

Earth’s Dynamic Systems – W. Kenneth Hamblin

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westerlies

Earth’s Dynamic Systems – W. Kenneth Hamblin

http://www.qosqo.com/

PROS

- Duality of two geometrical shapes that

are side-intersected by two curvilinear

elements.

- Use of monochromatic paper creates a

unified model.

CONS

- Small model size makes

construction lines hard to

see.

CONS

- Lack of new material into

the gestures models.

PROS

- There is conversation

between the curvilinear

lines and geometrical

shapes.

CONS

-Treating wood as paper is not

helping the constructed result.

- Wood was cut as if it was

paper and didn’t respond

flexibly.

PROS

-Learning to use a new material for

model construction.

-Photographic studies capture the

essence of the model.

Pros

- The photographic studies yielded complicated after story.

PROS

-Wood was better

incorporated

than previous models.

- Planer elements were added.

CONS

- Barcodes weren't deleted prior

to construction of the model.

PROS - Wood elements are well implemented as a structural unit. - Openings were visual clues for exploration. -The force and play between pentagons is

highlighted.

CONS -Metal elements needed better integration.

PROS

- Sketches had comprehensive

conceptual quality.

- Spiral movement was visually

central in sketch and model.

CONS

- Metal doesn’t reflect complexity.

- Spiral was simplified.

PROS

- Concentric lines well

highlighted in sketch and

model.

- Exterior line/wall was also

façade and structural.

CONS

- Model has a closed

language.

- Core line not integrated well.

PROS

- Openings were incorporated.

- Geometric and Curvilinear systems

establish a new form.

- Photographic studies expose new

gesture model possibilities.

CONS

- Monochromatic paper limits the

narrative of the model.

PROS

- Use of new materials: wire,

wood and plastic.

- Model expresses complexity by

showing surface variations.

CONS

- Wire metal is being tortured.

- New side openings are

needed.

PROS

- A central spiral approach

was evolved from previous

model work.

CONS

- There is not unity between

the wire, wood and plastic.

- Materials lack firmness and

resistance to wind.

PROS

- Materials are placed in hierarchical

relevance.

- The geometrical and curvilinear

systems are juxtaposed.

CONS

- Model is closing onto itself.

- Model is self protective and

limited to outside influence.

PROS

- Abstract model shows a

dual expression.

- Biomorphic lines

penetrate geometrical

system.

CONS

- Internal circulation elements need

to reveal the whole model.

- External isn’t dynamic and

doesn’t reflect internal

movements.

PROS

- There is cohesion between the

paper and the wooden planer

system.

CONS

- Size is too small. There will

be an increase of 50% on

the future gesture models.

PROS

- There is order between the planer

components.

- Transparency is well utilized.

CONS

- Using gun glue create a less crafted

model construction.

PROS

- Model demonstrates an expanding

approach, creating areas of space.

- Horizontality of the model creates a

linear move.

CONS

- Curvilinear systems are superficial, not

penetrating or covering the frame.

PROS

- Frame system is dominating the

curvilinear system.

- There is an opportunity for expansion.

CONS

- Curvilinear plastic element doesn’t

keep the whole model firm.

PROS

- Model successfully demonstrates

resistance due to the distribution of

wood, wire and paper.

CONS

- Curvilinear elements are closing the

gesture model.

Here, above, I am looking at the

way the wind approaches

plateaus and the way the lower

plateau digests the wind.

Below, I am sectioning

the edges of the

plateaus to initiate an

exploration of how

structure meets earth.

Left: Diagonal cut to enter

the gorge to embrace

gravity.

Right: Occupying the sky

from the high plateau and

from the bottom of the

gorge to the lower plateau

level.

Left: Occupying the gorge from the

lower plateau and into the gorge.

Right: Occupying the sky, earth and

the whole gorge.

I made six sections to explore density and

the way westerlies (winds) distribute after

hitting the lower and higher plateaus.

1

2

3

4

5

6

Using the imprecision of charcoal I was able to get a better sense of the

flow of the Westerlies, the way the winds disperse and leave the

articulation of the plateaus. Drawing my models connected structure,

wind, and plateaus.

1 2

3 4

Gorge: the conclusion of my research is the gorge. Inevitably the gorge

captures and restricts, so building a structure that delimits restraint is the goal. The escape of the Westerlies is the inspiration fed by the culmination of my architectural knowledge gained in this class up to this point: Midterm.

Developing a discipline, time management and organizing set of skills helped me to develop my design process.

Comments

- Earth’s Dynamic Systems – Seventh Edition, W. Kenneth Hamblin and Eric H. Christiansen

- Voices in the Wind – Alex Whitey

- National Geographic - Grand Canyon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2X4U1mQzoE

- We Rode the Wind – Jane B. Katz

- Nova – Wind http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/space/earth-from-space.html

- Daniel Libeskind http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEkDosanxGk

- Moray – South America http://www.qosqo.com

- Anasazi – North America http://www.cpluhna.nau.edu/People/anasazi.htm

- Westerlies – Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westerlies

Julio Soriano

arica30@hotmail.com

Arch 102 – Spring 2013

Professor: Andrew Chandler

City College of San Francisco

What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?

Vincent van Gogh