Computer vs. Architect

On one computer I've got this...

Apparently I don't exist on the network anymore? Early graduation?

And on the other I've got this...

(not responding...)

Computer always wins.

Excuse me as I go panic.

Friday Friday Fun Fun Fun

Ten days until our final undergraduate submission! I think it goes without saying that most of us are feeling like this... And to prove how committed we are to our work, we didn't even bother evacuating the studio despite the building being taped off due to some "threats." (Probably because we had the perfect view....)

Places

I started this post a few weeks ago but forgot to complete and publish it...

The initial approach to project 4 was a bit of a challenge as designing a full building seemed slightly foreign after a series of studio projects that produced more theoretical (though still valuable) results. In speaking to Vince, I was asked (multiple times) what spaces in Las Vegas I was inspired by. From an architectural point of view (and not that of an unedumacated tourist) it felt difficult to really identify the spaces that were of great value. So many aspects of Las Vegas’ resorts and casinos fall under Venturi’s duck and decorated shed analogies that it becomes hard to look beyond this and really appreciate the (few) spaces that embody true architectural merit. After re-visiting my pictures and some studio discussion, I’ve come up with a list of spaces in Vegas that would be equally as inspiring if they were stripped bare of their bells and whistles and parasols…

Caesars Palace - Forum Shops

The Wynn - Parasol Lounge
(While the parasols really were 'pretty', the glazed wall facing the landscape and pool/pond, the natural lighting and the connection between the upper and lower floors is what makes the space successful. )

The Wynn - Parasol Lounge

The Wynn
(Can't remember what this was called... but it's a bright, vibrant contrast to the dark casino area)

The Bellagio Solarium

The Venetian
(Ok, this is debatable, but tell me a canal on the second floor of a resort isn't worth mentioning...)

And a space I disliked? That's obvious. The Luxor. Dark, heavy, stinky.

None of these spaces have entirely unique programs and could be equally as functional in extruded boxes (aka Costco), however, in 'designing the architecture' and giving special attention to the details, these spaces transform from spaces to places, communicating a strong sense of their genius loci. Something to think about in progressing with our designs.

P4A

Here are some of the images produced for the component design aspect of P4A. Similar to many of the other component designs, the issue I chose to tackle was that of sunlight and solar gain. While some designs opted to use mechanical systems, my main goal was to develop a fixed component that could track sunlight throughout the day and the seasons for optimal day lighting without direct sunlight in the performers, swimmers or visitors eyes.

Admittedly time was not on my side (excuses, excuses) and I settled for a design that was not entirely true to my intentions. Given a bit more time and a few less anxiety attacks, I think the design could have benefitted from another set of iterations. In its current state, the component, though perhaps effective in the sense of sun distribution, is not fitting with my overall design and simply feels tacked on rather than integrated with the overall intention. (Too honest?)

That is not to say I am unhappy with the project. While the component wasn’t developed to the level that I had envisioned, the project gave me the opportunity to think beyond the conventional methods of sun shading and the fabrication aspect gave me with a chance to finally use the vacuum form (4 years later…) Though I am content with the component for this portion of the submission, I intend on further refining it (as much as 13 days will allow) to better suit the overall design.

My original intentions for the exploration of a wall system are seen in the first two (very schematic) renderings. The last rendering (a roof component rather than a wall component) ended up being the final iteration (Thursday night panic, anyone?)

View from the top...

...view from the bottom.
In it's current state, the view from the atrium below isn't quite as engaging as the view from above (previous image.) Hopefully a more effective solution will be reached for the final submission.

Fabrication of the component using the laser cutter to create a negative of the desired shape
and then assembled and vacuum formed. One part fun, two parts stressful.

Voila, the final model.

Under Pressure

I think this is appropriate given the fact that we have 13 days to produce our final undergraduate project... well, the title at least.

another weekend in our favourite place

As our Tuesday deadline approaches, our studio is beginning to look like a tornado went through it... We're working hard to complete our models, but sharing many laughs along the way. Through all the stress and frustratation, it's comforting to have such a great group of studio mates for encouragement and support (and love!) (Awwww.)

Loaf of Bread + Lemon Merengue* (over-heated styrene) = My model...

Stay tuned for the full reveal!

*No Vince, it was just a test piece.

How many architects does it take to disassemble a model?

library books being put to good use

No comment.

It glows!

Frank saves the day (again)

Jess confused by what sort of modelling she's supposed to be doing...

Now back to work!

Comic Relief for your Sunday

Duck

Duck

GOOSE?!

I can't decide if this is funny or sad.

David Hockney's Joiners

Upon completing the last exercise on the subtleties and spectacles of Las Vegas, my particular topic led me to conclude that the spectacle of Las Vegas is, in part, achieved through a layering of elements, resulting in an intense time-space compression and choreographed narratives in which the visitor becomes the participant. (Klingmann also discusses this in further detail in Brandscapes.)

Exploring ways of capturing time, space and narrative, I remembered a particular artist who I studied a few years back (when I had time to pursue hobbies… imagine!) David Hockney was a well-known English artist who was interested in a full spectrum of the arts, including painting, printmaking, stage design and photography. His photo montages, which he called ‘joiners’, are of particular interest here. Hockney felt that a singular photograph was not effective in capturing space, time and narrative, as it did not reflect how humans digest visual information. Exploring ways in which photography can become interesting when heterogeneous, rearranged and distorted, Hockey recomposed pictures from multiple points, creating rich and complete images. There is much more that can be said about his work and this topic (and yes, the way it relates back to cubist themes of multiple angles and movement) but for the sake of returning to my work, this short synopsis will have to do…

“All you can do with most ordinary photographs is stare at them – they stare back, blankly – and presently your concentration begins to fade. They stare you down. I mean, photography is all right if you don’t mind looking at the world from the point of view of a paralysed cyclops – for a split second.”

“I realized that this sort of picture came closer to how we actually see, which is to say, not all-at-once but rather in discrete, separate glimpses which we then build up into our continuous experience of the world.”

Hockney’s methods are being used as a foundation for my design, applied both in terms of programmatic organization and the envelope system. I have much to resolve (hence the lack of sketches) but so far I’m confident in the direction it’s headed… Hopefully I can say the same thing at the end of the weekend. More on the actual design (and how it relates to Cirque) in my next post.

Not your usual perspective...

Somehow, we ended up on the roof of the hotel... no wait, that only happens in movies.
I can't remember the photo source - I think was the engineer's website.

There's no Bay in Mandalay!

Mandalay:
Mandalay Bay:

Looks just like it... right? Not really. Besides the extensive [over]use of gold and a few ornamental details, I'm not entirely convinced that Mandalay Bay is successful in capturing the true essence of Mandalay. To be honest, I wouldn't have even know they were going for a South East Asian theme had it not been discussed prior to the visit. Tropical theme, maybe, based on the jungle foliage in the casino... but South East Asian? Where are the pagodas, the statues of Buddha? I'm no geography expert, but even a quick Google search is enough to realize the disconnect between the two. It was also interesting to read that there is in fact, no bay in Mandalay... there's a river. I'm disappointed.

Fun fact: the sand at Mandalay Bay's 11-acre-beach (pool) is from our very own Wasaga Beach! Because there just wasn't enough sand in the desert...

UNLV Charette Follow-Through

Though the 6 hour charette between UNLV and Ryerson was a success for many of the faculty and critics in attendance, the final component of the project for the Ryerson students was to take the work proposed at the end of the exercise and use it as a "beta test" for yet another iteration of the design challenge. This allowed students to examine a biomimetic design idea and refine it on an individual basis.

For example, while the charette may have elicited a project such as this:

The charette design only served as a beginning point in the iterative biomimetic design process.  Below are three iterations prepared by individual Ryerson students in less than two days as a response to the charette proposal outlined above.  Take note that the biomimetic concepts and sustainable strategies have been retained yet the formal, tactical, and aesthetic dimensions vary as each student has adopted a different stance on the initial concept design.

Samples of Tricia's Redesign:

Samples of Sam's Redesign:

Samples of Mitch's Redesign: