Environmental: Architecture
Part 1
This unit will begin with learning perspective drawing. You will learn conventions of the building and architecture industry such as terminology, making and understanding how to read a floor plan as well as architectural drawings. This unit focuses on issues of sustainability, energy efficiency and community living.
Purpose (What is being assessed)
- Conceptualisation and development of imaginative or personally relevant visual ideas. (Evidenced through brainstorming, design roughs and annotations) PA1
- Documentation of creative visual thinking and/or problem-solving processes. (Evidenced through a complete design process) PA3
- Application of technical skills with media, materials, and technologies to communicate visual ideas in resolved work(s) of art or design. (Evidenced through design roughs and final design) PA4
- Knowledge and understanding of visual arts in different cultural, social, and/or historical contexts. KU2
- Research and acknowledge sources to explore and develop insights into aspects of the visual arts. (Evidenced through research) KU4
- Use of visual arts language to interpret and respond to works and their contexts. AR2
- Evaluation of own practical work. AR3
Process:
Part 1
Create a model to display your final idea with a focus on craftsmanship
- Draw a building using two-point perspective.
- Complete a series of tasks such as floor plans and model joinery to develop working skills and knowledge ready for designing your house.
- Research existing tree houses and community living. You may wish to include other inspirational imagery to refer to when designing your house.
- Annotate the images collected to explain the ideas they give you and how you might apply these ideas in your design
- Generate design roughs with a broad range of ideas. Annotate these roughs to explain the benefits and implications of the designs
- Refine your designs referencing other architectural works
- Evaluate your design; does it meet the design brief?
Create a model to display your final idea with a focus on craftsmanship
1. Drawing using Perspective
Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater, 1935, example of organic architecture.
His philosophy promotes the harmony between design and nature. The architect continued to bring nature inside the house. A huge ledge of rock juts through the floor of the living room to form the heart of the fireplace at its centre, while boulders from the site are incorporated into its walls. Glass doors slide from the living room to provide access to a staircase that leads down to the river's edge.
We will be looking at the book 'Sketching for Architecture and Interior Design' by Stephanie Travis to assist you with learning good drawing skills for architecture.
Function and Form
Function
Form
The two inform each other
A good example for discussing function and form are roofs.
Form
The two inform each other
A good example for discussing function and form are roofs.
Pitch Roof
Skillion Roof:
Paper Folding
Have a look at paper folding techniques to better understand form. When you think of paper, you tend to think of it as flat and for writing since this is it's intended purpose. You are also familiar with the Japanese art of origami and know that paper can be used creatively. I find that paper helps to reveal form and is a really easy material to experiment and test ideas with.
Keep any paper folding techniques learnt in mind for model making later.
As a class comment on the form and function of this piece of folded paper:
Form:
Function:
Keep any paper folding techniques learnt in mind for model making later.
As a class comment on the form and function of this piece of folded paper:
Form:
Function:
Page example from 'Folding Techniques for Designers' by Paul Jackson
Try to create some of the paper folding examples from Paul Jackson's book. Can you see the possibilities from learning this technique?
Making a Floor Plan
What is a floor plan and what is it's function?
A floor plan is a type of drawing that shows you the layout of a home or property from above. Floor plans typically illustrate the location of walls, windows, doors, and stairs, as well as fixed installations such as bathroom fixtures, kitchen cabinetry, and appliances. Floor plans are usually drawn to scale and will indicate room types, room sizes, and wall lengths. They may also show furniture layouts and include outdoor areas.
A floor plan is a type of drawing that shows you the layout of a home or property from above. Floor plans typically illustrate the location of walls, windows, doors, and stairs, as well as fixed installations such as bathroom fixtures, kitchen cabinetry, and appliances. Floor plans are usually drawn to scale and will indicate room types, room sizes, and wall lengths. They may also show furniture layouts and include outdoor areas.
Sustainability
Methods and Materials
Energy efficient house project
Site orientation
Site orientation
Thermal mass
natural air conditioners - using natural processes rather than controlling them
The link to the video above shows how an architect thinks about a specific location to begin and structure the design process. This is a North American video so some of the information is different for us in the Southern hemisphere as to the sun direction.
Model Making Techniques
Models allow the viewer to experience your designs in real space. A model may be created to test an area of detail or to get a broad understanding of the overall form. Attention to detail needs to be paid to create an effective model. There are many ways to create a model, we will explore two:
Skills in both of these areas are valuable, it is important as designers to understand materials and how to use them well. Getting to know a range of materials will help you later when deciding which material and technique is best suited for your idea.
- Use CAD software such as Fusion 360 or Revit. This will enable you to see a 3D form on paper and you can use these files to print using tools like the 3D printers.
- Go old school and create your model from cardboard, paper, pop sticks, etc. Never underestimate the power of basic materials used well.
Skills in both of these areas are valuable, it is important as designers to understand materials and how to use them well. Getting to know a range of materials will help you later when deciding which material and technique is best suited for your idea.