RR3: Beyond the Temple Form

BP3: UNCG and the big ten

In class we have been discussing the Acropolis and the Xianyang Palace. We created a list of Ten ideas to further explore them. These ten ideas are: space, power, experience, principles, precedent, site, order, scale, technology, surface. When one combines this knowledge base with the campus walk that we took similarities and evolutions become very evident. The use of circles, stacks, and groups or groves is almost always in use, regardless of the time period the building was constructed.

Space

UNCG is designed, like any college campus, to promote education.  It is geared towards making a student’s life easier by providing all of the necessary resources within a short walking distance.  When all of the basic necessities are accounted for, it allows the student to focus on an education. 

Power

Campus life does not necessarily instill power in the physical sense, but rather power of the mind.  This comes through being able to fend for oneself without anyone’s help.  This sense of independence builds self-confidence and mental dexterity that will last a lifetime.  More than the lifestyle however, college provides for an invaluable education that, not only supplements independence, but is a major factor contributing to overall success down the road.  In the end, it is safe to say that UNCG is fully dedicated to the empowerment of its students.  Sir Francis Bacon once said, “Knowledge is Power.”  I’d agree.

Experience

  In class, we discussed the idea that only materials which were immediately available could be used for construction.  However, in this day and age where distance is no longer a factor for acquiring materials, I believe the general spirit of architecture has shifted from pragmatism to aesthetics.  Architects can choose whatever materials they please to give off a certain ambiance.  In this case, just about all of the buildings are composed of brick, stone, and glass.  The brick and stone are crucial to creating a monumental aura, while also giving a feeling of security to its patrons.

Principle

As a college campus, it is clear that an underlying principle behind the design is the relationship between students and the professor.  Though the professor is always situated at the back of the room (in relation to the doorway), this end is understood to be the ‘front’.  This idea in itself sets the professor up as an authority figure.  The students occupy the middle area, facing him, to hear the story.   

Precedent

Site

UNCG is located in Greensboro, North Carolina.  This appeals to me personally, mainly because this doesn’t give me too long of a commute.  Also, campus is not too far from downtown; this often comes in convenient when one wants to get off campus but stay in the vicinity. 

Order

I believe UNCG has a very ordered campus, primarily because, of its high utility.  By utility, I’m addressing the convenience and accessibility of resources.  First off, the dorms are all clustered together, putting an emphasis on socialization among the student body.  Going from the dorms, we find the student health center, the dining halls and the EUC, in that order.  The most important buildings are in the closest vicinity of the living areas.  Beyond that point are all the buildings where classes are held.  From this arrangement, it is clear that UNCG was designed with utility and orderliness in mind. 

Scale

Scale could refer to either the actual physical size of the campus or the availability of opportunities.  However, I feel that the physical aspect is more relevant to our cause.  Compared to an average-sized person, the buildings are quite massive.

Technology

 Evidence of technology is clear just about everywhere on campus.  Computers, vending machines, heck even cell phones change the way we experience campus.  Unfortunately, these things only serve to eliminate the human aspect by making things impersonal and artificial.  It is interesting, then, that something like a building could possibly bring this personal aspect back to the college experience.  On many UNCG structures, there is evidence of Greek influences, most obviously in the columns.  Columns are remind me of the Greek Titan, Atlas, who hold the sky upon his shoulders.  To me, this is a very endearing notion. It gives the viewer a sense of welcome as if the building is being supported just for you to enter.  Maybe I just think the world revolves around me, but whatever...

Surface

 The surface of campus is probably more horizontal than vertical for the most part.  These aren't skyscrapers; the buildings span the surface much more than their rise.

BP2: campus walk

 

     Last Friday, we took a walk around campus, observing the relationships between ritual and environment and how these interactions take place on a daily basis.  When we first left the building, the first example of stacking came in the form of a stone bench.  The three blocks were stacked in a  Stonehenge-esque fashion.  This stacking notion melds into the ritual of sitting seemlessly; as the stones are placed on top of one another, an individual perpetuates this idea by 'stacking' his own body on top.
     Our tour continued to a building in front of the parking deck (I've forgotten the name).  Upon climbing the steps the first thing one notices is the rows of columns.  Though they are placed in a circular formation, I have counted this as a grove because they are in pairs of two.  This basic idea stems to duality, but ultimately, to unity. 

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     Inside the building, one is greeted by a large circular pattern upon the floor of the lobby, reminiscent of the sun.  This circle gives a sense of belonging and security, making it a prime aesthetic and ritual-based choice for this location. 
     When I left, I realized that this building was a perfect example of all three of the categories.  I have sketched what I took as stacking.   

new header? why not...

I tried thinking about what could possibly represent something as broad as my "essence" as a designer.  I started thinking that this something should be a type of drawing which I have done nearly as long as my drawing career and have continued finding ways of improving upon it even after all this time.  My first thought was literally, "hand!".  Around the time the other kids were doing turkey drawings, palms face down, I remember trying to draw it more accurately. Back then, I failed miserably.  In 6th grade, I was thrilled when I first managed a decent hand, only because, it looked so awesome on my drawings of Dragonball Z characters.  Now, I can crank out hands in just about any style.  So yeah, if I had to come up with something that identifies myself as a designer, it wouldn't be the idea of the hand, rather the process I've gone through trying to accurately depict the hand.  This  can easily translate when it comes to the process of design.

personal reflection

This semester was probably one of the most interesting and exciting experiences of my college life.  When I first came into the course, I'll admit I may have been a little cocky, having taken several art classes in the past.  I quickly learned, however, that there were many things beyond me.  Drafting was completely new to me; I feel that took me some time to get the hang of only because, I was so used to being able to complete assignments free-hand.  Overall, I widened my horizons and refined skills I already had.  Most importantly, I enjoyed myself along the way.

Designing ze luminaire.

         As a prerequisite to coming up with a luminaire design, our task was to find and document an interesting light effect.  I thought I'd find a phenomenon unique in its quality.  My solution was to use the camera as a medium for capturing the effect, rather than capturing an effect that is primarily seen by the naked eye and then documented with the camera.  Cut out the middle man.  With the camera as a medium, I am guaranteed a pure representation, not an obfuscated, second-hand image.
          The light effect I found is called lens flare.  It occurs when the camera is pointed directly at the sun.  This causes the light to fray out in beams with the sun's form as a focal point (shown upper right).  I wanted to take this phenomenon and display this overwhelming quality of light.  My original design of a translucent dome which would house the light bulb and be mounted onto a wall.  Slits would be cut into the edges for beams of light to pass through (shown left).  Unfortunately, this design required a very thin frame so as to not be seen through the paper when the bulb was lit.  Also, I did not want to replicate the sun shot for shot.  It is never a good start if the designer tries to exactly replicate what is already perfect in nature.

         Instead, I chose to design a luminaire positioned at the joining of the wall and the floor.  The rays radiate out, but only onto the wall.  I first built a frame consisting of only 4 sides of a hexagon.  Then, with a bandsaw, I cut slits about 2 inches long into the wood cuts.  After using wood glue to connect all four of these pieces, I traced the semi-hexagonal shape onto a piece of matboard.  This I hot-glued onto the back of the wood frame, a plane which serves primarily as my bulb holder.  Now, I was faced with the issue of covering my light switch.  Otherwise, it would distract the observer from the actual light effect.  My solution was to construct a dome around it, concealing it, except for a small hole from which the wire would pass through.  As my medium was again, matboard, this process took a good deal of time to create just the right forms that fit together properly.  At the time, I felt that I needed to do something to the dome to ensure that it had continuity of the light effect.  This would have been the way to go if my piece were about the light fixture, rather than the effect itself.  That is the main thing I would have done differently.

   
    When lit up, I feel my luminaire most accurately demonstrates lens flare when positioned about half an inch off of a wall.  Had I kept it flush to the wall, the focus would be on the sharp distinction between light and dark.  By keeping it slightly off the wall, I created the effect of light pushing into the boundaries of the shadow, thus accentuating light's overwhelming quality.

This is lens flare.

   

Everyone did some other type of drawing....I didn't know so I ended up with a contour...


And the two stripes on the hood are a by-product of artistic license.

This was my favorite from that day.  Turned out to be pretty accurate.