Architecture 114: Architecture Studio II, Spring 2012

Professors (am studio): Nagle, Danly, Paradiso Professors (pm studio): Pettigrew, Erdim, Humer, Williams

Assignment 2: Building Study

Assigned: Monday, February 6 Due: Friday, March 16

Project Overview An architectural work is seldom an isolated event or singular creative act. It is the culmination of the architects exposure to and response to cultural conditions, programmatic requirements, technical advances and architectural form. Each work of architecture enters the vast lineage of architectural investigation, thus, understanding a single work of architecture is dependent upon understanding the specific conditions in which it is created. A fundamental understanding of the complexities of architecture can be gained from the study of existing examples, or the study of precedents. Through individual investigation and documentation, the class will share in a th st collective understanding of seminal works of domestic architecture (houses) from the 20 and 21 century. Project Goals To explore relationship between conceptual ideas and the formal articulation of those ideas through the design process. Architecture can be understood as an idea or thought process made visible through a composite of space and form. To develop an understanding of architectural language (verbal and graphic) through the investigation of a specific work. Each house will be drawn and modeled to explain the organizing principles of the buildings constituent parts -- those things that, once assembled, embody the idea through the language of architecture. Minimum Project Requirements: Group research presentation Massing model Primary plans, sections and elevations Full-scale plan layout Perspective drawing Analytic diagrams Component Axonometric drawing Wood component model References Architecture: Form, Space & Order, Francis D.K. Ching, 1979. Design Drawing, Francis D. K. Ching with Steven P. Jurosvek, 1998.

Architecture 114: Architecture Studio II, Spring 2012

Professors (am studio): Nagle, Danly, Paradiso Professors (pm studio): Pettigrew, Erdim, Humer, Williams

Assignment 2: Building Study, Research Requirements

Research The building should be researched thoroughly. Research should include books on significant architecture of the period, books on the architect, books on the particular building (if available), periodicals from the date the work was built, current research and comparative study articles, and books analyzing historic architectural works. Internet sources must have verified authorship and should be cross-referenced with printed books and periodicals. Internet sources should not constitute the majority of your resources. Each student is responsible for having research materials, including copies of drawings, available for reference at every class period. The following categories should be investigated:

familiarity with the architect (biographical information) importance of this work in the progression of the architects career historical significance of the work, historical context location and context site (plan, topography, geography, context) program for house (client's needs, cultural context) organizing ideas, governing principles, architectural concepts construction materials - indigenous materials, economy of material selection, cost interior and exterior finishes, building colors structural system - new vs. traditional technology, materials size of house - length, width, height, area building plans, sections, elevations, sketches and diagrams

Through research, each student should be able to generate a list of terms appropriate to the defining issues of the particular house. These terms will be useful in focusing the investigation. Some of the following terms may help to initiate the terminology specific to the building: mass light pattern enclosure hierarchy repetition space proportion sequence form scale volume

Research Presentation - Group Each group will prepare a 3-minute presentation introducing the house and its context. The presentation may take the form of a video (sequence of still images) or a powerpoint; it should include imbedded narrative. With a limited amount of time, how can you convey the essential qualities and most important ideas embedded in the design of the house? Incorporate your own work to help convey your thinking. This could include analytic diagrams and your own drawings produced thus far. Part of the preparation for the group presentation is a written narrative. This should be submitted in advance. The group will also need to submit a preliminary visual presentation for review.

Architecture 114: Architecture Studio II, Spring 2012

Professors (am studio): Nagle, Danly, Paradiso Professors (pm studio): Pettigrew, Erdim, Humer, Williams

Drawing and Modeling Requirements

Study Models Recommended scale: 1/8" = 1'-0" (1:100cm) or per instructor Material: Foam core or cardboard The study models will investigate the relationship between plan and three-dimensional space, between interior spaces and overall building massing, which in turn relates to the site. Drawing: Plans/sections/elevations Recommended scale: 1/4=1-0 (1:50cm) or per instructor Pencil on dArches A series of drawings documenting the building in two-dimensional convention should composed in a way that communicates the students comprehension of the building. The drawing method should involve a direct projection of significant plans, elevations and sections from a single generative plan. Consideration should be given to drawing conventions and the composition of multiple views. Full-scale Tape Plan Material: low-tack colored tape (no duct tape allowed) Each house group will lay out a plan of its house in the center core for presentation to the class. If the house has multiple levels, choose the most significant plan. Plans should show wall thicknesses and openings accurately. Consider building orientation and/or relationship to the grid of Crown Hall. Two or three houses will be taped down on the same day, so coordinate tape colors for legibility. Plans will need to be removed after the presentations. Drawing: Projected Perspective Pencil on dArches Projected perspective drawing is a drawing system that can be used to understand and communicate a buildings form from a chosen vantage point. The perspective, unlike a model, depicts a single view allowing the maker to control what is seen. Unlike axonometric projection (also a single-view drawing) the viewpoint can be placed at any height to emphasize a particular aspect of the building. Consideration should be given to this preferred view in the overall context of your presentation.

Architecture 114: Architecture Studio II, Spring 2012

Professors (am studio): Nagle, Danly, Paradiso Professors (pm studio): Pettigrew, Erdim, Humer, Williams

Drawing: Analytic Diagrams and Component Axonometric Diagrams per instructor; Axononometric - Pencil on dArches Analytic diagrams will be produced to develop an understanding of the formal, spatial and material principles of the individual building. The process of analysis isolates the components of the building in order to understand underlying principles; the diagrams produced will also become the basis for the component axonometric. A variety of 2-D and 3-D diagramming techniques should be explored including sketches (plan, section and axon diagrams), digital techniques (sketch-up or other), and physical models. The analytical diagrams will help develop an understanding of the formal composition of the building and should analyze issues relevant to each work. Some issues to consider are: Site/view Circulation Structure Natural light/solar exposure Enclosure Spatial composition/hierarchy The component axonometric drawing breaks down the building into a series of discrete forms or parts. This drawing, typically an exploded axonometric, should predict the wood model as an explanation of the formal components of the building. The drawing may develop the component analysis in greater detail than the model. Wood Component Model Recommended scale: 1/4" = 1'-0" (1:50cm) or per instructor Material: Basswood on MDF site This model should be a study of the building as an assemblage of building components. The components should identify the formal composition of the house. Components should be made as units that are dry assembled to form the building. The model should be viewed as a series of parts and as an assembled sequence of forms. This formal investigation is analytical and seeks to undercover the nature of the building not to document its built condition.

Architecture 114: Architecture Studio II, Spring 2012

Professors (am studio): Nagle, Danly, Paradiso Professors (pm studio): Pettigrew, Erdim, Humer, Williams

Schedule
Wednesday, February 8 Photocopies of plan/elevation/section drawings to scale Research review. Friday, February 10 Preliminary plan/section/elevation drawings, = 1-0 on trace or vellum. axonometric drawing of building mass, on trace paper. Introduction to orthographic drawing: plan/section/elevation Monday, February 13 Study model review Wednesday, February 15 Plan/section/elevation layouts on trace/vellum Friday, February 17 Introduction to perspective Plan/section/elevation drawings in progress Monday, February 20 Plan/elevation/section review. Monday, February 27 Perspective review Introduction to diagrams and component axonometric. Wednesday, February 29 Sketch problem due (diagrams) Friday, March 2 Diagrams continued, Component Axons on trace Wednesday, March 7 Presentations due (turn in to TAs) Axonometric review Introduce wood component model Friday, March 9 View Presentations Introduce Accessory Building assignment Friday, March 16 Wood Component model due All Building Study Drawings Due

Full-scale Tape Plan Schedule: Wednesday, February 15: Afternoon Studio Friday, February 17: Morning Studio Wednesday, February 22: Afternoon Studio Friday, February 24: Morning Studio Wednesday, February 29: Afternoon Studio Friday, March 2: Morning Studio Wednesday, March 7: Afternoon Studio