Exemplar House 5 - Sendai Mediatheque

Sendai Mediatheque - Toyo Ito (2000)

The section below is another example of a more computer illustrated section. With that in mind, the section draws major similarities to the way my sections will look when completed in shape and form. The free flowing form of the structural elements seen moving throughout the building are another example of architectural elements similar to my light shafts within my building. The structures within this building also allow light and air to move through the building (like the underground community) as well as access. It is also similar in the these shafts are located in various points of communal congregation throughout the building. The building shape itself is another similar feature, due to the very square form of the levels but with a more fluid form within. The colour and tone techniques from this section will not be used within my sections as I believe the water colour techniques of the other sections will be more effective in portraying the qualities of the underground community.

           

The buildings 'community' aspect through a number of activities to be undertaken within is similar to the communal purpose of the underground community. 

The images above and below show the various shaft that move through the building from bottom to top and provide air, light and sometimes access through the building.

Images and information sourced from

Ito, T. (2012, 12 8). Sendai Mediatheque. Retrieved from Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects: http://www.toyo-ito.co.jp

Zeballos, C. (2012, 12 7). Toyo Ito: Sendai Mediatheque. Retrieved from My Architectural Moleskin: http://architecturalmoleskine.blogspot.com.au/2010/09/toyo-ito-sendai-mediatheque.html

Exemplar House 4 - Knut Hamsun Center

Knut Hamsun Centre (Norway) - Steven Holl (1994 - 2009)

One of the reasons I chose the Knut Hamsun Centre as an exemplar was because of this section sketch and its effective use of colour and tones to show light and the various levels of the building. This sections shows the various architectural elements within the building including various windows that allow light into the space. This is another similar example to my underground community. The level layout and square form of the building also draws similarities to the underground community dwellings and public spaces which allow alternating levels like the ones seen below to allow for light and ventilations through the underground space.  

Like the Simmons hall sketch, I will try and use the colours and tones seen within these two sketches to show the quality of the space within. These techniques should prove very effective in my sections where light, shade and the various interesting spaces will be amplified by the colouring techniques in these sections. I think I will have to experiment a lot to get the exact look I want right.

Outside drawn perspective showing the square shape of the building. Shows the windows and voids which allow for the light penetration into the building.

Exterior image of the building...

Exterior model elevations of the building...

Images and Information sourced from

Holl, S. (2012, 12 8). Knut Hamsun Center. Retrieved from Steven Holl Architects: http://www.stevenholl.com

Exemplar House 3 - Glasgow School of Art

Glasgow School of Art - Steven Holl   (2009 - 2013)

The section below shows a more computer illustrated section of Steven Holl's building. Whilst it differs from the hand drawn and water coloured sections I have shown previously I would like to incorporate ideas from both into my sections. This building was also chosen because it has some architectural elements that are similar to my underground community. The light shafts and various light entry points are similar to the open shafts in the underground community and the techniques used in this section could be recreated to suit my sections.

The section below shows a much more rough hand sketch section of the building. This sketch also incorporates the water colours like the Simmons Hall, a technique which I think is very effective. I think I am going to have to explore ways to incorporate computer and hand drawn sketching and tones together. 

Images and information sourced from 

Holl, S. (2012, 12 7). Glasgow School of Art. Retrieved from Steven Holl Architects: http://www.stevenholl.com

Exemplar House 2 - Simmons Hall (MIT)

Simmons Hall (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) - Steven Holl  (1999 - 2002)

The section below shows a style and texture that I would like to use within the sections of my assignment. The colours and shading portray the building very effectively through the lighting, tone, levels and open spaces which are clearly evident. I am also using this building as an exemplar because it shows similarities to my underground community. This is through the open shafts which allow light and air into the spaces within the building and the various open 'communal' spaces for all users within.

Exterior elevation showing the front shading facades and the various voids seen...

Looking up into the one of the shafts...

An open space with a shaft leading through to a lower level...

External view of the building...

Images sourced from

Holl, S. (2012, 12 7). Simmons Hall, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved from Steven Holl Architects: http://www.stevenholl.com/

Exemplar House 1 - Maison A Bordeaux

Maison A Bordeaux - Office for Metropolitan Architecture (1998)

I have chosen the Maison A Bordeaux for more reasons than to just to exemplify the style of section I would like to produce. The Maison A Bordeaux represent a house that sits like an artificial concrete cube within the surrounding environment, like the dwellings within my underground community. The bottom level of the main house is surrounded and shaped on one side by concrete walls supported by earth, giving no element penetration whatsoever on that side. Light and air penetration relies fully on the opposite side where windows and doors have been programmed to fulfil this need. The top level is a concrete cube fixed with small circular holes to allow light and air into the space. Similarities can be seen between this feature within the Maison A Bordeaux and the windows within the dwelling of my underground community. The Maison's concrete structure is like a confined cube separated from the outside world and only allowing programmed views into the space. The underground dwellings have this same opportunity, however the windows are programmed by the users and views and light can be mimicked to represent a landscape or scenery above ground. 

                                                             

Section sourced from 

Riley, T. (1999). The Un-Private House. New York: The Museum of Modern Art.

Harris, K. (2012, 12 9). Kristin Harris Arch 1201. Retrieved from Blogspot: http://kris-arch1201.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/plans-at-1100.html

Plans Sourced from

OMA. (2012, 12 8). Maison a Bordeaux, France, Bordeaux, 1998. Retrieved from OMA: http://oma.eu/projects/1998/maison-%C3%A0-bordeaux

Model images sourced from

Booth, P. (2012, 12 8). UTAS building Simulation Student Work. Retrieved from Wordpress: http://peterbooth.wordpress.com/2008/11/11/utas_-building-simulation-student-work/

My Choice of Exemplars

My choice of exemplars for my sections is based a number of reasons instead of just on similarities in visual styles. Whilst I will incorporate styles from all different sections I have sourced from the architects I will also draw similarities or parallels between building elements or styles between these buildings and my underground community. This may range from use of shafts for lighting to concrete forms and shapes or building materials . The sections I have chosen have also been drawn in styles that interest me and I would like to try and recreate within my sections.

I have gone through a number of books and magazines, some of which included the architects on the given lists. Many of the buildings see in these books or magazines provided no sections or sections that were not suitable for my assignment. To widen my search I began to explore the Internet sites by the given architects. These provided a wider array of choices and gave the required drawings and images. 

These books and magazines include:

• Unbuilt Masterworks of the 21st Century
• Contemporary Curtain wall architecture
• The Iconic house
• Country houses today
• House: Black swan theory 
• New Country house
• Masterpiece Iconic house
• 200 Houses
• Architecture of Change 2: Sustainability and humanity in the built environment
• Richard Rogers + Architects: from the hosues to the city
• Architect Magazine
• Architectural Digest
• Architecture + Urbanism

Week 15 - Reflection on the Unit

This has been quite an interesting yet unusual unit. I have found it very enjoyable, but the amount of uni work with my other subjects and other things that have been going on this semester have made it very difficult. It has been nice having such a long period of time for the final assignment and I'm sure it has led to better ideas being developed more.  Around the time of week 11 and 12 I was in a  fair bit of trouble with this assignment due to the other subjects all being due at the same time. I fell that I have pulled the assignment back nicely from where I was to where I finished. Though it is not quite as developed as what I would have liked, the ideas really can never be fully developed. There will always be other ideas. 

I have found my tutor Ruwan very helpful, especially when I needed it. I am sorry that I turned up to some tutorials with very little to show, but the other subjects due throughout this assignment did not allow for much work to be done weekly.

Thanks for the semester Yasu and Ruwan.