... a tool for design process, generating a point of departure from which the box grid, fascade, and site are informed... the shape of the recycled form... an ephemral quality of motion that is a form generator...
... the structure must work within normal constraints of program, budget, materials, etc... issues become scale, sight lines, city grid.
Showing posts with label thesis thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thesis thoughts. Show all posts
Monday, June 16, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
thesis statement: revised
Title
Investigation and Development of Architectural Process through the Adaptive Reuse of "Big Box" Architecture.
Thesis Abstract
Through the exploration of adaptive reuse of residual, no longer viable, commercial buildings in economically challenged urban zones develop an over arching guide and process upon which to base future architectural practice, solidifying design principles that have the potential to define specific approaches to architectural strategies and form making. The adaptive reuse of architecture, specifically "big box" architecture, in a form that captures and utilizes natural daylight, artificial light, and inspires the human spirit addresses many key issues prevalent in today’s practice and design discourses. The notions that the proper lighting of space effects its occupants is not new, but one that is very seldom maximized in the built environment that we occupy. In addition, the importance of recycling building products and materials is at a peak in the world today. The building industry is one of the largest contributors to the degradation of our planet. Adaptive reuse of buildings is quite simply the recycling of architecture.
Thesis Statement
Thesis Issues
In many cities across the country there is an ever increasing amount of urban sprawl in the form of commercial and retail development. Large retail chains are looking for the best opportunities to sell their goods and services. As the population of this country grows there is also an increase in the need for housing. Our suburban communities are quickly becoming large towns and cities of their own. There is an increase in needed infrastructure, tax base, and development. Unfortunately, it seems that much of this growth is leaving behind some of the original town centers and main streets. Small shopping centers at the corner are giving way to large "box" stores and vast seas of pavement. Buildings that housed banks, gas stations, and the local barber shop are being left behind, discarded shells that are no longer desirable by their tenants. Recent years have shown great demand and interest in the reuse, preservation, and development of long vacant urban areas of the inner city. Businesses, restaurants, and artists flock to these older buildings and areas to live, work, and play. This leaves a gap of vacated buildings and architecture between the urban center and the ever growing suburban development. They are being left behind.
The intent of my thesis will be to recycle, reform, and revisualize discarded big box architecture, specifically as it relates to the forgotten zones of our metropolitan areas that lie between the urban revitalization and suburban sprawl. The retail program of this building typology will also be recycled and reinvented.
Investigation and Development of Architectural Process through the Adaptive Reuse of "Big Box" Architecture.
Thesis Abstract
Through the exploration of adaptive reuse of residual, no longer viable, commercial buildings in economically challenged urban zones develop an over arching guide and process upon which to base future architectural practice, solidifying design principles that have the potential to define specific approaches to architectural strategies and form making. The adaptive reuse of architecture, specifically "big box" architecture, in a form that captures and utilizes natural daylight, artificial light, and inspires the human spirit addresses many key issues prevalent in today’s practice and design discourses. The notions that the proper lighting of space effects its occupants is not new, but one that is very seldom maximized in the built environment that we occupy. In addition, the importance of recycling building products and materials is at a peak in the world today. The building industry is one of the largest contributors to the degradation of our planet. Adaptive reuse of buildings is quite simply the recycling of architecture.
Thesis Statement
Thesis Issues
In many cities across the country there is an ever increasing amount of urban sprawl in the form of commercial and retail development. Large retail chains are looking for the best opportunities to sell their goods and services. As the population of this country grows there is also an increase in the need for housing. Our suburban communities are quickly becoming large towns and cities of their own. There is an increase in needed infrastructure, tax base, and development. Unfortunately, it seems that much of this growth is leaving behind some of the original town centers and main streets. Small shopping centers at the corner are giving way to large "box" stores and vast seas of pavement. Buildings that housed banks, gas stations, and the local barber shop are being left behind, discarded shells that are no longer desirable by their tenants. Recent years have shown great demand and interest in the reuse, preservation, and development of long vacant urban areas of the inner city. Businesses, restaurants, and artists flock to these older buildings and areas to live, work, and play. This leaves a gap of vacated buildings and architecture between the urban center and the ever growing suburban development. They are being left behind.
The intent of my thesis will be to recycle, reform, and revisualize discarded big box architecture, specifically as it relates to the forgotten zones of our metropolitan areas that lie between the urban revitalization and suburban sprawl. The retail program of this building typology will also be recycled and reinvented.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
research: tactics for an opportunistic architecture
post updated 3.3.08
Through the investigative process of precedent analysis 04, I found LTL's monograph very interesting. Their approach to finding the "constraints inherent with the architectural question" combined with restricted play, wit, and curiosity allows them to create unexpected forms from the standard rules and conditions that dominate so much of the modern architectural practice. I find this approach to be very intriguing and hope that further understanding of their work and process will be beneficial in discovering that of my own.
LTL utilizes five interwoven tactics in the work presented in "Opportunistic Architecture".
"Retroactive, incomplete, and fragmented, they offer a partial list of possible trajectories for design. Rife with slippages and overlaps, they serve as a means to a productive architecture"
Catalyzing Constraints
Invention Sprawl
Paradoxical Pleasures
Alchemical Assemblies
Over Drawing
Of the five listed above, I would like to focus on the notions of Catalyzing Constraints and Over Drawing. These two offer some tremendous possibilities as they extend to redefining my own architectural principles or practice.
Catalyzing Constraints refers to taking the limitations that are present in a given project and manipulating them to find inherent designs from within them. "The seed for the most radical solution can always be found within the items that initially pose the greatest resistance. Rather than avoiding these obstacles through formal or logistical gymnastics, the tatics of catalyzing constraints generates an impassioned inquiry into the unavoidable limits of architectural production." - LTL.
One example that is sited is to selectively apply "principles of efficiency in order to discover relationships through which the project can be pursued in unexpected, yet seemingly inevitable ways." The idea of selectively applying efficiency could be spacial efficiency, lighting, structural, etc. By choosing one to focus upon and apply as rule, you inevitably inform or effect the others, this is where the "unexpected" is generated, creating exagerrated forms or systems that creates the efficiency.
Over Drawing is a design strategy that LTL utilizes to explore the medium that architects use as language as a process to discover. They use a combination of hand drawing, 3d modeling, hand drawing over top of that and overlapping them all together to create very interesting and evocative drawings. The idea is that from this process of "over" drawing you begin to generate richer spaces. Each form of representation has limitations and potential. It plays on each "simultaneously". Example of LTL's Over Drawing using a combination of 3D lines, edges, renderings, and 3H lead on 4mm mylar...
Park Tower, Prototypical American City
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
thoughts...
Hey there Denise...
The Turrell case study was difficult to express graphically. I had a hard time trying to find a way to understand/re-present his work in a graphic manner. His work is meant to be experienced in person, so this was a challenge. I do not think the boards are very effective. I much more prefer the simple scans from my sketch book. The board is an attempt to fulfill the assigned material. I have read and re-read my notes and diagrams and each time I do they become a tiny bit more solid in my mind. It was a good study for me, although there was not a solid graphic result.
As far as phenomonology goes... I am not familiar with this and I did a quick search. From what I have read thus far, the "study of structures of experience, or consciousness" is interesting. I think you may be onto something that I seek out in "my" Architecture, although I have never been able to formally identify it. I am always concerned with experience. In every way that I analyze or look at space, I attempt to make a connection to some sort of spatial experience, either consciously or unconsciously. Architecture that achieves this, is usually very appealing to me. The strongest usually deals with the lighting of the space. I cannot stand plain overhead light fixtures that evenly light a room. I much prefer lamps on tables or indirect lighting. The shadows and tones are much more pleasing and interesting. During my intensive crit, one critic made the comment that windows are just windows. I couldn't disagree more. For me natural light is huge. It makes or breaks architecture, in my opinion. I guess this is what I am trying to work through or define in my thesis. I want to give this thought, idea, concept, a form. Architecture with a capital A.
LTL... looks very interesting. I am working on getting a copy of the book. Probably have to order it, so it will be a couple of days. Not having a local library strong in architectural books is a real drag. But I have always wanted to start my own collection. Anyway, I am interested to see their approach to perforations and the realtionship to program.
LTL projects of interest...
http://www.ltlwork.net/pages/portfolio/workinprogress/arthouse.html
http://www.ltlwork.net/pages/portfolio/workinprogress/msk.html
Will start research this week... I am interested in understanding LTL a bit more. The next four weeks will be interesting and may help to form some more technical aspects to thesis as we dive into the lighting portion of our Acoustics and Lighting course.
The Turrell case study was difficult to express graphically. I had a hard time trying to find a way to understand/re-present his work in a graphic manner. His work is meant to be experienced in person, so this was a challenge. I do not think the boards are very effective. I much more prefer the simple scans from my sketch book. The board is an attempt to fulfill the assigned material. I have read and re-read my notes and diagrams and each time I do they become a tiny bit more solid in my mind. It was a good study for me, although there was not a solid graphic result.
As far as phenomonology goes... I am not familiar with this and I did a quick search. From what I have read thus far, the "study of structures of experience, or consciousness" is interesting. I think you may be onto something that I seek out in "my" Architecture, although I have never been able to formally identify it. I am always concerned with experience. In every way that I analyze or look at space, I attempt to make a connection to some sort of spatial experience, either consciously or unconsciously. Architecture that achieves this, is usually very appealing to me. The strongest usually deals with the lighting of the space. I cannot stand plain overhead light fixtures that evenly light a room. I much prefer lamps on tables or indirect lighting. The shadows and tones are much more pleasing and interesting. During my intensive crit, one critic made the comment that windows are just windows. I couldn't disagree more. For me natural light is huge. It makes or breaks architecture, in my opinion. I guess this is what I am trying to work through or define in my thesis. I want to give this thought, idea, concept, a form. Architecture with a capital A.
LTL... looks very interesting. I am working on getting a copy of the book. Probably have to order it, so it will be a couple of days. Not having a local library strong in architectural books is a real drag. But I have always wanted to start my own collection. Anyway, I am interested to see their approach to perforations and the realtionship to program.
LTL projects of interest...
http://www.ltlwork.net/pages/portfolio/workinprogress/arthouse.html
http://www.ltlwork.net/pages/portfolio/workinprogress/msk.html
Will start research this week... I am interested in understanding LTL a bit more. The next four weeks will be interesting and may help to form some more technical aspects to thesis as we dive into the lighting portion of our Acoustics and Lighting course.
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