week eight & nine- detailing and design development
- ersmyth
- Jul 26, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 1, 2022
In class we were encouraged to choose two key words that are significant to our projects and create a mind map expanding on these terms and exploring relationships between them. By defining my focus and defining what I think are the most important and strongest aspects of the design proposal, this activity helped keep me on track and further develop the contexts that are foundational to my project.
We were also directed to create a detail of an aspect of our design to illustrate how it is fabricated. I chose to examine how I would construct the chains of beads along metal rods to create a chainmail-like surface that symbolises a layer of fortification that surrounds the design and is integrated into the facade. There will be a small, 13mm diameter metal ring welded below each bead. Each bead will be positioned with a gap between the next metal ring and bead. This allows for the beads to move up if they are manipulated by passerbyers. This is a relaxing act that visitors can do to to calm down by using their hands to feel and fidget with the smooth, eye-catching beads. I think it would interesting to incorporate an aspect of touch into the project design as this is a proven method to help with anxiety and my proposal acts as a space to escape from the dangers of the city and aims to provide relief from these stresses.
I have also been working on my digital model of imperial lane and made some modifications to my original floor plan as I had a better understanding of the scales and proportions of the foundation of the design:
Ground Floor:
First Floor:
Expanding on the bead details, I wanted to design and emphasise a spiral staircase that catches the visitor's eye as they enter the design. I thought that I would achieve this by encasing the large spiral with the rods of beads. I feel that this addition draws the viewer into it and up to the main activity space within the project. I also have decided to cover the walls with this bead surface as well to dramatise the design and emphasise the protective and strong themes I am aiming to promote throughout.
Facade Detail, bead screen.
Case Studies:
UN North Delegates' lounge, redesigned by Hella Jongerious in collaboration with Rem Koolhaas, Irma Boom, Gabriel Lester and Louise Schouwenberg.
I researched and looked to this facade design to examine how the beads were constructed and weaved together to create a screen and how natural light reacts to a surface like this, since it relates quite closely to the design of my facade. This design shares the same porcelain materiality of the beads, but utilises a different material to connect them together - hand-knotted yarn. I thought this might give me an idea as to how to connect my beads together but since it our designs use drastically different connecting materials I have had to come up with a different solution rather than using knots and a weave-like method. I also really like how the light interacts with the positive and negative space that the spaced apart beads create. I am excited to see what this looks like with my facade. I think it creates a very visually exciting yet calming atmosphere.
Mành Mành Salon, H&P Architects.
This design also incorporates an abundance of strung bead details throughout. I love how H&P architects use these wooden beads to obstruct, dramatise, and calm the light. These designers also played with the gaps between each bead, which I think helps excite the design and creates a sophisticated visual. I also really enjoy the warm tones within their material palette. I think this create a very welcoming and relaxing feel. Perhaps I could incorporate the beads into the lighting of my space as well?
Exploring How Other Designers Communicate Their Design's Relation to Site:
Down to Earth, Isabella Muirhead, 2022
I really like this designers approach to addressing how their design will affect the site over a long period of time. This effectively acknowledges sustainability principles (in which I highly value and respect) and shows how designers should consider how their creations may intervene and change the site they are inserting their design into. In this case, Isabella is showing how her project reconnects "people and the earth in the city, by rejecting the ‘finished’ urban model and employing the ever-evolving dynamism of the natural world".
I also really love Isabella's renders and how she creates such a beautiful atmosphere using natural materials and soft lighting, and her sections are very detailed and articulated clearly.
In my project proposal, I am connecting my design to the site by acknowledging the social sustainability issues surrounding assault in the site's surroundings.
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