Igualada Cemetery Addition

"Geometry cleanses predisposition..." 

I proposed the following scheme in this afternoon's studio time. It all begins with the analysis completed last week, specifically the wire drawing without paper. When viewed from above I could pick up on some repetitive angles. I took a similar approach to the earlier drawdels, as I cut and folded up and over some of the pieces. The idea from the start was to lead visitors below grade as a way of bringing life in and activating a space underground. As for burial ritual, the major wall with all the burial niches would stand on the visitors right and would emerge from the ground forming rigid geometries. The issues brought to my attention had to do with structure, simplicity, and confusion between enclosure and open space. I will refer back to some of my other drawdels I made from this view of the wire drawing and keep you posted

Schematic site plan

Schematic section

Schematic perspective

Schematic perspective within archival space

Space for the living

Place for the deceased

Light study from above

Light study from below

Overhead view of wire drawing, the inspiration for this scheme

Schematic drawdel

What's Next

The next part of this project is to design an addition to Miralles and Pinos' unfinished cemetery. The program includes:

• Doubling the cemetery's capacity by adding 850 burial plots
• Areas to store ash urns and/or spread ashes
• A non-denominational and a non-religious "contemplative" space
• A small library/museum for information about the people buried, the cemetery, and the relics
• Lastly a small structure for caretakers and equipment

Schemes will relate to the study and individual analysis of the site. I plan to use the entry location and my three dimensional explorations to form my schematic response. 

Igualada Site Analysis

"Geometry cleanses predisposition..." 

The review and site analysis are finished for the Igualada cemetery site. Our guest critic mentioned the connection between some of the studies produced for analysis and Duchamp's work. The studies reference his work because of the invention that becomes apparent when looked at from a different viewpoint. 

Duchamp's Nude Descending a Staircase No. 2

Collection of studies on Miralles and Pinos' cemetery entrance

Examination of a single "mast" or "cross,"inversion of the solid void relationship to show the spaces a single gate creates

Overall view of the entry, folded ridges representative of ground manipulation and raised embankments, masts and burial wall turned up, shows a way the gates create implied lines through the site

Axonometric view of entryway, transparencies overlayed to show lines of circulation as well as the transition from industry out and the return to nature within, by highlighting contrast between gates and grassy ridge along visitor's left in passing

Overhead view of wire drawing that studies the three gates in relationship to one another - pure invention

Dibujos Sin Papel - Drawn With Plaster and Wire

"Geometry cleanses predisposition..."

The two required drawings without paper are done. This entry will take you through my (long) process of completing a stereotomic drawing. The plaster mold examines a single entry gate showing the space that each cross creates. An axonometric drawing that reverses the solid with the void. I made a last minute change to plaster, when I realized the hot wax would release the hot glue used to form the mold. 

 

Dibujos Sin Papel - Drawn With Wire

"Geometry cleanses predisposition..."

For my first drawing, I put together a study model showing one of the gates in axonometric view. I liked the way these came out. The final drawing would show all three masts. The drawing was simply hung like a mobile in the shown images, but I think I would like it better if it could stand on a shelf or table. I wanted the diagonal gates to feel like they were actually closer or further away based on where they are grounded on the site.

When viewed from the front

When viewed from the side

Dibujos Sin Papel

Today's introduction to "dibujos sin papel" really reminded me of a video I happened to come across a while ago... Enjoy! Just for fun I watched a few times over the first time I saw it, the whole time wondering how do they do it. Well the next part of this project will definitely explain a few things...


                    

Also gave a little thought to what I would like to make my second "drawing" out of. Give you a hint... I told you my favorite color was yellow! But I really liked most the possibility of using a translucency in my representation!

Drawdel Checkpoint

"Geometry cleanses predisposition..."


The emphasis of my transitional drawdel is to be on the entry into a cemetery unlike any other. The expectations one has when entering a cemetery are usually to see an arrangement of tombstones possibly in a grassy setting. However, Miralles and Pinós have designed anything but the conventional cemetery. It is even unlike the exsisting Igualada cemetery made up of niches, primarily because of the overarching concept of returning the deceased to nature. The preconceived notions of what a cemetery should look like are all washed away once the visitor passes through the entry gates and looks upon the slanted monuments. The entry designed by the duo is as observed in my earlier entry is cross-like, very geometric. The drawdel is to be representing the entry condition, showing how as soon as people pass these gates they are completely immersed in this space and all thoughts of life beyond the walls vanish. Here are my initial attempts to do this condition justice

The idea is to prop the walls of enclosure up so that they read as single planes with small openings where the gates would extend into if they could extend infinitely in space

This was my typical literal approach and attempt to lift the gates off the page, interesting to see the way the areas cut from the page can suggest direction 

In this one the goal was to really show how at eye level there is no visibility or concept of life outside the walls, I wanted to show this by experimenting with folding maintaining a single sheet

Somehow I have to arrive at a product that incorporates bits and pieces of each. Feel free to suggest any ideas or suggestions in comments

Transitions

Plan of Igualada Cemetery and the area of transition to be mapped (entry gates)

Assignment 2- It is important to analyze the existing site, for this assignment we will be mapping in a new way: "drawdels" (drawing models). In the assignment it states we are to pick a space of transition, a few came to mind. The first one that came to me was the space where Miralles invites visitors to pass through the burial niches which was metaphorically the transition between life and death. The second transition I saw in watching the film, was the unique entry gates that appear to resemble crosses, but this also is a moment of transition from the industrial town and parking lot to the private reflective spaces within. Miralles uses the gates as a way to call visitors to enter, even though they were never fully functioning.

In mapping this space I examined the site plan shown above and extended the lines out from the entry gates, and also indicated which lines were created by extension and which ones truly exist in plan. The lines that were carried outwards went beyond the walls of enclosure that I also felt were important to include in the map. To give this map the three dimensional quality that makes it a drawdel, I cut and folded up the three major walls forming the entry space. First attempt, let me know what you think. I was unsure of how I would emphasize the implied lines from the gateway and even the gate itself

Catching Up!

Been a long time since my last post, so here's what I've been up to since...

• First assignment- carve a book! With the goal of carving to reveal. The book- a history of modern architecture.


• Preliminary concepts- (1) open the book to find a single skyscraper, much like the single gesture example of a dry garden shown in class discussion this one would depict one of the biggest developments in 20th century architecture. (2) again open the book this time see a crowd of people, these people are meant to be the influential men and women who have made architecture modern, the crowd would be made up of layers representing the parts of a whole.

• In-class assignment- thinking about how to interpret the poem "A Throw of the Dice" in an hour's time is easier said than done. A poem that seemed to make less sense after each read, the author deliberately highlights certain words with unconventional word arrangement and font type. The words that read loud and clear: "ABOLISH" and "CHANCE." My idea was to then take the work and leave it to chance what portions could be read by the next reader. I would do this by overlaying a six block grid then rolling a dice (or calculator random number operator) and cutting out the block(s) that corresponded to the first two numbers rolled on each page. What remained of the poem was completely illegible and left the person who received the poem next with even less of a clue as to what the authors original meaning behind the jargon.

• Final product- After presenting the two original concepts I decided to form a combination of the two. Taking the skyscraper as the subject from the first idea and applying the layering concept from the second to create a city made up of skyscrapers. The skyline was framed to keep the integrity of the book and surprise readers when they open. Each chapter in the book adds one building to the horizon. In some cases the images from each chapter were of actual skyscrapers, but in others (mostly the earlier chapters) they were pictures or sketches that resembled the shape of the buildings to come.

January 30, 2012

My first ever blog entry!


Studying architecture has brought about several changes in the way I admire a design. However, one building has always topped my long list of favorites. Louis Kahn's Exeter Academy Library was the first building that crossed my mind when I was unexpectedly asked to say a bit about my favorite building. I quickly said this building is one that I have experienced, it is one that I have lost and found myself deep in studies whenever I was home in small town New Hampshire. It really got me thinking about how I define good architecture. It became obvious to me that architecture is less to do with appearance and flash, but rather is about relating to a space..