midterm portfolio, jose zarate
DESCRIPTION
First half of the Fall semester, the work has been challenging but it was worth it, I hope you enjoy the result.TRANSCRIPT
Icebreaker: A Sculptural Autobiography
Rational: Design language, design process, sectional approach, learning.
Areas of Inquiry:Opening the can of worms Representation Language Form Space Truth Nature
What does the icebreaker in this part of the work represent to
me ?
Icebreaker expresses the human spirit truth material representations
From iteration # 1: The representation was meant to express a correlation between parallel and perpendicular as personal experiences during the last few years
Objectives: Transparency, symmetry, balance
Tools : Parallel, perpendicular and horizontal activity
Material : Acrylic glass, glue gun, acrylic paint, glass cutter, scissors
Language : Rectangle planes
Inspiration: Cultural interaction
From Critique:
The iteration tends to be too literal
Doesn’t show a specific abstract representation
The proposal should be easy to see from different perspectives (3D)
Base is not needed
From iteration # 2: The proposal for this exercise follows the recommendations of my peers and professor. There is no more base; the parallel and perpendicular entity still marks their presence
Objectives : Nature, transparency, balance
Tools : Transparent planes parallel to each other
Material : Acrylic glass, glue gun, acrylic paint, glass cutter, scissors
Language : Squares, cube
Inspiration: Nature evolution and deconstructivism
From Critique:
Keeping the parallel and perpendicular entity was a plus
Analyze opaque vs. transparency
Became 3D and got rid of the base
Nonetheless the proposal seems to be arbitrary and there isn’t any abstraction
Changing the material is highly recommended
From iteration # 3: I passed truth and transition where I promptly needed to realize what I was looking for, and what I thought I was finding. The poor architectural vocabulary was digging me into a hole where I couldn’t express what I really wanted to in class. This made me feel angry and frustrated
Objectives : Anger, perpendicularity, harmony
Tools : Sharp openings, “L” shape forms, light
Material : Cardboard, glue, balsa wood
Language : L Shape
Inspiration: Frustration
From Critique:
The “L” allows to used as cantilevered
There is a shy approach to represent the abstraction
Base is negative in the sense of not allowing visual integrity (360* view)
Sharp openings are not necessary since the edges are sharp as well
Changing the material is highly recommended
From iteration # 4 , “The process showed an improvement there is an intend of demonstrate the hierarchy between volumes at the same time there is a conversation between them”
Objectives : Adventure, risk taker , dynamic.
Tools : Cantilever, straight and sharp openings, transparent spaces.
Material : Styrofoam, cardboard, glue gun, balsa wood, cutter, scissor.
Language : L Shape .
Inspiration: I replace my anger by becoming a risk taker.
From Critique:
The conversation between volumes is more clear.
There is a powerful transition in hierarchy between volumes.
The base is invisible but still limit the possibility of extension in the volume.
Analyze a curvilinear proposal.
Cantilever clearly express a risk position.
From iteration # 5: The change of material was successful. The iteration shows more abstraction and is improving. Nevertheless, there is still a presence of a base which keeps limiting the model and its matter of volume
Objectives : Adventure, risk taker, dynamic
Tools : Cantilever, straight and sharp openings, transparent spaces
Material : Styrofoam, cardboard, glue gun, balsa wood, X-Acto knife, scissors
Language : L Shape
Inspiration: I replaced my anger by becoming a risk taker
From Critique:
The conversation between volumes is more clear
There is a powerful transition in hierarchy between the volumes
The base is invisible but still limits the possibility of extension in the volume
Analyze a curvilinear proposal
Cantilever clearly expresses a risk taking position
From iteration # 6: We perceive the inclination of volumes, but they are still perpendicular to each other. I got rid of the base
Objectives : Adventure, risk taker , dynamic
Tools : Cantilever, inclination, perpendicularity
Material : Styrofoam, glue gun, balsa wood, X-Acto knife, scissors
Language : L Shape
Inspiration: Risk taker
From Critique:
The adventure/risk side is turning obvious
There should be a studio of the relationship between vertical, horizontal and curvilinear in order to improve the dynamic of the iteration
At the same time there is an axis that marks a relationship between volumes
From iteration # 7: Shows a different dynamic compared to past proposals. Although, from an auto critique, the iteration seems to be incomplete in the sense that it’s missing an extension where the project would be more interesting
Objectives : Adventure, risk taker, dynamic
Tools : Fibonacci, cantilever
Material : Balsa wood, glue gun, X-Acto knife, scissors
Language : Oblique volumes (L Shape), Fibonacci spiral,
Inspiration: Dynamic
From Critique:
There is a good analysis between the axis of volumes
Follows Fibonacci
Some objects seemed to have an arbitrary presence
Study the continuity between volumes
Seems to have a base again
Choose materials of different thickness, color, texture, etc. to define hierarchy
From iteration #8: The work has been intense. The analysis to find the rhythm, dynamic, harmony, 3D vision, etc. is coming along. The result is starting to convince me, but I know there is a lot more to do
Objectives : Adventure, risk taker, dynamic
Tools : Cantilever, inclination , Fibonacci, repetition, perpendicularity, parallelism, tension, rhythm
Material : Balsa wood, paint, glue gun, X-Acto knife, scissors
Language : Radius and convergent sections
Inspiration: Risk taker, dynamic and repetition
From Critique:
The work shows an improvement, and the idea is making giant steps
The iteration expresses the intentions
There isn’t a base anymore which allows for a 3D perspective
Different textures and colors help to define predominant elements
There should be an analysis of the axis in the project
From iteration # 9: I decided to focus more in the direction of the axis, which became the backbone of the frame as well as turning it 45* in the top part and in both directions (vertical and horizontal). Also, there is a second element attached to the first one, which defines the transition between the rectilinear and curvilinear elements. I used a different kind material, and finally I built a third concentric succession of circles with a thinner black wood which connects the first two
Objectives : Adventure, risk taker, dynamic
Tools :Inclination, repetition, perpendicularity, parallelism, concentric, rhythm
Material : Balsa wood, paint, glue gun, X-Acto knife, scissors
Language : Radius and convergent sections
Inspiration: Risk taker, dynamic and repetition
From Critique:
The frame shows more dynamic and hierarchy between elements
On the other hand, the axis analysis isn’t clear yet
Don’t get rid of the vertical strips which give a tension sensation
The different kind of material helps to define hierarchy between elements
There should be more analysis of the axis
From iteration # 10: There was more study of the axis which pretty much converges at the same point as the concentric rings do. The proposal gains more clarity, and the intentions are more specific
Objectives : Adventure, risk taker, dynamic Tools : Inclination, repetition, perpendicularity,
parallelism, concentric, rhythm Material : Balsa wood, paint, glue gun, X-Acto knife, scissors Language : Radius and convergent sections Inspiration: Risk taker, dynamic and repetition
From Critique: The frame expresses the intentions clearly There are details that enrich the proposal (tension strips) Volume expresses a unity Transitions between elements are soft and clear
From iteration # 11: The sectioning exercise turned out to be very frustrating for me at the beginning, the condition was “sloat.” It was difficult to attach the papers the way I wanted. So, I just decided to grab the paper I used to take notes, make a cone, and start playing with the pieces of paper in my hands. I cut and taped the paper wherever I thought was necessary. The game started to look fun, and there was not any fear of wasting material since it was recycled paper
Objectives : Translate your frame intentions into a sectional frame
Tools : Questions— “Why here?,” “Why not here?,” “What about if …?,” “I think it would be a good idea …”
Material : Recycled paper, tape, X-Acto knife, scissors
Language : Cone, strips
Inspiration: Dynamic, risk taker
From Critique:
The start is very thoughtful
The intentions might not be clear yet, but the start has potential
Taking notes and literally putting them in your project helps you to recognize pros and cons
Good job by using material that was not clean in your first try. The idea is not being afraid of ruining your project
Explore options to give diversity
From iteration # 12: The first proposal was promoted, and the idea starts to come along. So far, I have identified three elements that compose my frame. The material seems to help, and it is easy to move the elements in order to define a global idea
Objectives : Translate your frame intentions into a sectional frame.
Tools : Questions— “Why here?,” “Why not here?,” “What about
if …?,” “I think it would be a good idea …”
Material : Recycled paper, tape, X-Acto knife, scissors
Language : Cone, strips
Inspiration: Dynamic, risk taker
From Critique:
The second sectional frame seems to be more clear in the intentions of the relationship between elements.
The different kind of material enriches the composition and gives more rigidity
It follows pretty much the same pattern as the first one
The promotion has worked.
From iteration # 13: The final promotion seems to unify the idea of the first two concepts together. The material is upgraded to a rigid poster board
Objectives : Translate your frame intentions into a sectional frame
Tools : Questions— “Why here?,” “Why not here?,” “What about if …?,” “I
think it would be a good idea …” , brainstorm from first two tries.
Material : Poster board, tape, X-Acto knife, scissors.
Language : Rings, straight planes, curvilinear strips.
Inspiration: Dynamic, risk taker.
From Critique:
Third sectional frame simplify the intentions of first two.
The promotion seems to be successful, material looks clean and well crafted.
Three languages are clearly noticeable.
Brainstorm seemed to be analyze carefully and there is a clearly sequence between last three iterations.
Components show a particular move at the same time, they related to each other and they simplify a common idea.
From iteration # 14: the proposal meant to turn the audience perspective, where it can stand up as is show in the first picture but the project is incomplete by consequence the message is not clear. In the other hand there is an intention to look for a fourth component, in order to enrich the unit.
Objectives : Define a language and discover your own technique.
Tools : Questions— “Why here?,” “Why not here?,” “What about if …?,” “I
think it would be a good idea …” , brainstorm from first two tries.
Material : Recycled paper, tape, X-Acto knife, scissors.
Language : Rings, straight planes, curvilinear strips, triangle slices.
Inspiration: Dynamic, risk taker
From Critique:
Sectional frame needs to be more clear in what wants to narrates as a story.
Oblique strips needs to be more convincing and energetic to demonstrate they can become a 4th element
The rings should be directed parallel to each other to satisfied the frame exercise
Nonetheless the unit shows a timid approach in order to look more elements and enrich the composition
From iteration # 15: I made a really quick volume from scraps , trying to figure out what would be the right position for the elements, why they should stay where they were? , how should I…?
Objectives : Narrate a story
Tools : Sectional, topological variables, sections, etc.
Material : Foam board, poster board, super glue, X-Acto knife, scissors
Language : Rings, rectilinear and circular planes, curvilinear strips
Inspiration: Suspense
From Critique:
The frame shows a basic idea. It has a lot of potential in the sense of demonstrating a good approach in the volume of what I want to represent.
Components confirm multiple languages .
From an auto-critique: I announced that the model was incomplete, and
I couldn’t add more details that would give a better idea of what I wanted to represent.
From iteration # 16: The concept was based in the succession of planes that are parallel, concentric, and perpendicular with an oblique position concentric to a common point, with implied surfaces. The volume in its basic intention was meant to express a contrast between parallel, perpendicular and curvilinear. These techniques were practiced continuously and my goal was planned to use these tools in order to narrate a logical idea
Objectives : Narrate a story.
Tools : Sectional, topological variables, sections, etc.
Material : Foam board, poster board, super glue, X-Acto knife, scissors.
Language : Rings, rectilinear planes, discs and curvilinear strips.
Inspiration: Suspense.
From Critique:
The frame shows a basic idea. I believe it has a lot of potential in the sense of demonstrating a good approach in volume of what I want to represent.
Components clearly confirm a diverse language(4).
The frame successfully shows implied surfaces, repetition, proximity, density and contrast.
The sectional frame is not complete, but the idea is clearly stated (graphics).
ARCH 101: MIDTERM & FINAL GRADE ASSESSMENT of STUDENT LEARNING
OUTCOMES (for both student and instructor use)
X = instructor; 0 = student
Student Name: Jose Zarate
Semester: Fall 2012
Midterm/Final Grade:
Design Process Development (4: Mind and Hand are in charge of Ideas; Modes of Individual
Process leads to Evolution of Refined Work vs. 0: No effort to think and do on one’s own, no
individual design process is employed)0 1 2 3 4 0
Architectural Concept Development (4: Consistently defined, explored, questioned and
effectively developed with rare lapses into weak intentions vs. 0: vague or unreasoned
with no definition, exploration, questioning, and development, intentions are weak or
non-existent)
0 1 2 3 4 0
Successful Representation Skills (4: Writing, Drawing, Diagramming, Constructing,
and Verbally Presenting are employed effectively to identify, analyze, explore,
decide, and communicate vs. 0: tools of design are rarely used fully and in timely
ways within an iterative design process)0 1 2 3 4 0
Body of Work: Quantity Leads to Quality (4: Quantity of Work demonstrates a commitment
to thoughtful effort accompanied by well-crafted work with rare lapses in to weak
production vs. 0: Fails to show effort; work illustrates a lack of craft with a sustained
absence of and/or weakness in production)
0 1 2 3 4 0
Creative Content: Avoiding the Obvious and Familiar (4: Consistently well reasoned with
high levels of intellectual and expressive excellence; embodies scholarly creative content
vs. 0: Infrequently reasoned with little thought or expression; creative content is lacking)
0 1 2 3 4 0
COMMENTS: I would like to thank Jerry for all the patience and trust that he put in us. I personally
appreciate the fact that even when we had difficult moments, he was able to handle the situation in the
right manner. As one of his students, I believe he deserves respect. I’m willing to demonstrate my respect
by doing the best I can in his class and stepping up together with my classmates. I believe this group
demonstrated that they are still here in this class even when the work seemed to be overwhelming. We
never gave up and that’s why I feel proud of my classmate, and for being a part of this class.
Midterm:
Student: The learning process during these first two months was challenging. There were many feelings
that I encountered during difficult situations. One example of a difficult moment that I felt was frustration,
which was present often. At the same time, I firmly believe that I made the right choice taking architecture
as my career. I love what I do, and I believe that architecture is more than a career. I consider architecture
as my passion. In the end, the effort was worth it, and I’m 100% ready to take the next step.