Supplementary Assessment - Research Part

To start this supplementary assessment, the first thing I did was to go through the list of 9 architects and condense it down to 4 architects, that had similar design principles and ideas to my design. The following 4 architects stood out, all for their own reasons, stated below:

Steven Holl:

His designs specialise in integrating new projects that have cultural and historic importance. Mostly inclusive of museums and environments where people can interact with the space. Most of his projects have involved renovation and expansion of historically important structures, without losing the original design principles of the building. Steven Holl emphasis a sustainable building and site development by incorporating green roofs, double walls and advanced mechanical systems. 

His designs are clean, with sharp, geometric elements. Mostly secluded and surrounding a lot of greenery, his designs stand out, with the use of light to create a different atmosphere. With no harsh exterior elements (no rustic, hard concrete construction), his complex designs are extremely effective and seamlessly interact well together.

His two designs that stood out were:

Museum of ocean and surf, due to a section of it integrating with another building - this area reiterates a journey that people must venture too to get to the other area in the design. This seamlessly works within the integration throughout building, much like my original idea. 

The second option, is the gallery house, which has an interesting roof structure. A part in my design that could have been improved. The section of the building is interesting to the passer by and might show them where to venture too next, due to the exterior shape and ‘look’ of the building.

Kazuyo Sejima:

Kazuyo has clean, modernist elements in her designs. She usually includes slick, clean, and shiny surfaces made of glass, marble, and metals. Squares and cubes are her go-to use along with large windows allow natural light to enter a space, The main part that I liked about Sejima’s designs was the way she connects the two spaces together, this is where she draws her inspirations.

Her ‘journey’ through each of her spaces is clearly shown in the, 

Shibaura House

Tsuchihashi House 

These two designs have many levels, which are easily accessed by the visitor. In her section drawings, she shows activities and people in each, which clearly shows the viewer how her space is used.  A great example for my design works, as I will be able to refer to how she’s communciated  the ‘activities’ in her design.

However, it would seem that Tom Kundig and Norman Foster had the best outcomes to help me with my design.

Norman Foster:

Norman Foster designs large, structural curved high rises for commercial uses.  

It was Norman Fosters Headquaters of the Greater London Authority building that I had design ideas useful to my seamless connection of the Library and the Auditorium/Stage. 

Now looking at his floor plan of the design, it is easier to get a better understanding of the flow of people throughout the space. A section of this part in my design would show how I have seamlessly connected these two spaces, remembering to allow access to the other areas, and also make sure the people aren’t confused as they pass through. His sketch drawing of the interior of another design, the London Museum, is also very informative to the reader - yet another drawing I could use as a reference.

Two of Norman Fosters designs that stood out, 

Creek Bean House 

Waterfront Housing.

In these two designs, there is a number of contours that he has had to be aware of. As the context for my design is flat, I will just be looking at the seamless flow of people between each building and the amount of detail in his drawings.

A couple of his sketches are very detailed as well, giving the reader a very informative idea of the experience he wants them to feel.

Some other sketches that would be good to add to the viewer's imagination...

Tom Kundig:

Tom Kundig is one of my favourite architects. I like how he shows the use of the mechanics of his works on display. These large mechanical elements give him a dark, edgy and rustic look to his designs, making them eye catching. His choice of location also adds to the ambience of his designs. He seamlessly weaves his designs into the context, which his use of wood, and large glass windows - almost bringing the environment into the design. 

His large glass windows, with dark mullions really stand out and the use of the wood also makes it seamlessly interact with the environment.  

Two of his designs that appeal to me in relation to my design is the 

Chicken Point Cabin

Concrete house 

Minimalist home

All of these designs show the journey throughout the spaces, his use of large windows in relation to the particular areas of the house, the orientation and the feel he wants throughout the space. His designs are a perfect reference to my designs as the area I chose in Pomona is quite a secluded, very similar to his locations.

The detail of his large windows, space relationships and activities would definitely help me in drawing my sections.

These drawings, referenced above, show the styles and techniques that I want to learn how to draw in my own section. The sections shown, show how the people interact with the space with particular activities. The layout of the drawings are very easy to read and communicate. I learnt a number of ways in how to show activities in my space as well as the significant detail one needs to show what experience you want in your space.

The trees and contour lines surrounding the sections in the referenced drawings show site context to the building, another way to show an understanding of your space and the journey/experience within it. The use of shades and tones show the materials used, whether it be concrete, wood or glass - yet another element that I need to think about when drawing my sections. The light definitely adds to the atmosphere of the space, so with this taken into consideration, the drawing would look much more appealing and easily understood.

I believe I now understand how to show detailed information in my section drawings. With particular details added, the reader will be able to understand how it is built, the relationship between the spaces, materials used and the journey between other spaces. I want my drawings to communicate as much as possible but also keeping in mind that they aren’t technical/construction drawings - this will be the challenge!

References Used:

Dung, Ngo. (2006). Tom Kundig: Houses. Princeton Architectural Press, 2006
Dung, Ngo. (2012). Tom Kundig: Houses 2. Princeton Architectural Press, 2006
Foster, Norman (1991). Buildings and projects of Team 4 and Foster Associates. Watermark Publications (UK) Ltd (April 1991)
Pawley, Martin (1999). A Global Architecture. Thames & Hudson Ltd (November 1, 1999)