Pictures of the Day] Drawings at 1/8" = 1'-0" is ridiculous. On the other hand, feeding a horse is worse.
Mood] Delirious. Spring fever.
Weather] High 68 Degrees. Sunny and clear.
Currently] In the cube.
Quote of the day: "I'm an idealist. I don't know where I'm going, but I'm on my way."
So we had a quick pin up for 75% which turned out to not be as big of a deal as they worked it up to be. We talked a bit about structure, and how it effected the building, but because I didn't have a solid plan really there was no conversation about structure. The structure for my building has always been very straightforward. Now I need to focus on how to think about the "skin" of the building. The "skin" is referring to the facade, the envelope, the system that sort of wraps around the building and not only gives it its outer appearance, but also enhances the relationship between the public and the private spaces. This will take research I think, and distinguishing also what important factors need to be emphasized. It could be that I focus on only all the northern facing parts of the building. It could be that I look at how two systems could work together. I am not sure yet, but that is definitely the next step. I am working toward getting a solid plan down, so hopefully I will be done with it tonight (my professor dictated that I need to be).
For my Vernacular Landscape class, I went to Wagner Farm, which is a pretty cool place. You can check out their website at wagnerfarm.org. Basically it is a farm that is now preserved by the park district of Glenview. There is an old barn, some animals like cows and horses and a even a pig (which I sadly did not see). The most important part though was the lay of the land. You can tell even now, how the land must have been used before all the developments began around it. There are flat portions for farming, a huge hill for grazing that led to a sort of draining ravine, and other pockets of space for a cloister of buildings. For the most part, it is just a nice place to bring children for some play on old tractors and educate them about the different elements of the farm. I enjoyed it. I fed a horse, which was one of the most exciting things I think I've done for a while. I was so scared it was going to bite me, that I tried to pull away at the last minute and the horse took my whole hand in its mouth. GROSS!!!!!! Then I dropped the apple slice I was trying to feed it, so I picked it up again and offered it again. The 2nd time, the horse picked it up from my palm with its lips. They were huge horses too because they were draft horses. It was neat though! I can check that off my life list.
Now it's back to work and drawing up some more diagrams to figure out where the heck I'm going with my project! The end is definitely in sight! Spring is up and lively and there is WORK to be done!
Have a fantabulous day!
~Jaye
Pictures of the Day] My set of drawings for Midterm Review. They were okay. :/ Very unorganized.
Mood] Highly stressed.
Weather] High 50 Degrees
Currently] In my room.
Quote of the day: "Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else."
It is really difficult for me sometimes to feel as though what I'm not doing is work. I enjoy a lot of what I do, but it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. There always seems to be something more to do and with that, comes a lot of stress. I guess I just have to keep reminding myself that there's a reason why I enjoy doing this, why I see that what I am doing is important. I have to look back a lot of the times at the accomplishments of those before me and feel that same awe like when you're a child and you inhabit a place for the first time, experience the amazement that proportion/scale can bring, and enjoy the beauty that light has in a space. So many of these elements are taken for granted, and I really wish that I could be more conscious of them all the time.
The 50% review was difficult. I was the first to go, and I have never gone first in any presentation before, so I really had a hard time getting started. I am not normally too nervous of a speaker. Once I get going, then I find a way to keep moving, but I kept on getting tripped up by words. Words are something that I also think people take for granted. We use words so differently now than we did before. In architecture, as in any other practice, the use of words is very important to really communicate exactly what you mean to say. We also have a completely different set of vocabulary words that parallels words typical to every day conversation, but have totally different meanings. Homophones if you will. Usually they are adjectives. I would give an example now, but I am very tired and my brain is overtaxed! So sorry. Just trust me though. It's true.
Back to the 50% review. I received a decent response. Some of the condensed comments/suggestions that I received are:
1> Can the circulation inside & outside relate to one another?
2> Form a hierarchy
3> Can interaction spaces vary in size based on the program?
4> What is the relationship between the two communal areas (garden and multi-purpose room)
5> Is the rigidity obstructive?
6> Is there another axis that can be developed?
7> Think beyond the classrooms. Like the small components of the classrooms, can you apply to a larger scale?
8> Can classrooms vary based on program?
9> What is a garden?
10> How do you collect light and diffuse it?
11> What is the public/private relationship?
12> Does the axis mirror materiality or vice versa?
13> Find depth in layering organization
14> Beware visual relationships of diagrams on the layout
15> Clean, clear diagrams are essential. Reduce reduce reduce.
16> Test size of images & lineweight
17> Always edit the story. Constantly revise the drawings.
18> Use colour accordingly
19> For sections, cut through the organization spaces
20>Always keep reviewers in mind
21> BEWARE! Misinterpretation of ideas!
Certainly a lot to think about, eh? I will be going back and revising my whole concept I think based on a new view. For now, sleeeep.
Overworked and underpaid,
~Jaye
P.S. Watched Boondock Saints II: All Saint's Day during spring break. AMAZING. A slightly different style than the first, and of course, the actors were 10 years older and LOOK IT, but still very entertaining.
Pictures of the Day] My set of drawings that I submitted and will DEFINITELY be revising for the final 50% Midterm Presentation (Will post later. Having some troubles uploading)
Mood] Stressed!!!! But pleasant?
Weather] High 45 Degrees
Currently] Front Desk
Quote of the day: "When you drink the water, remember the spring."
I think you get to a certain time in the semester where you are entirely burned out with everything. I am definitely feeling it. I have been working really hard on trying to figure out what to do for my 50% review, and I am so worn. I have gone through several drafts, but nothing seems to be good enough. I will have to work through spring break to finish my work. I have come up with an idea of what I need to get done too.
Mechanical and Electrical Building Systems homework
Structural Concrete Analysis homework
Vernacular Landscape homework
Ecological Basis of Planning Research Report
Revising all the drawings for studio
Making 1-2 models for studio
That is the plan. I have to clean up and pack before I go home though,s o i need to make sure that I have all the materials I need for my studio project. I need to compose two models over the break and that is going to be a doozy. I think I might go by Michael's and buy some materials. I really want to spend time with my family and my friends though, so I want to get my homework out of the way. I have a sneaking suspicion I will be doing it throughout the week. I have to lug sooo much stuff back home!
At least the weather is getting better though so I can switch out my wardrobe and only keep a few sweaters here to make sure I can stay warm. I really hope things get pretty. Campus is livening up. There is more green than white now! I'm so excited.
Signing out,
~Jaye
