My first project for studio is based upon memories and dwelling. The 'theme' for this studio is about creating domestic architecture or rather mobile architecture, something that we can apply to the events of Katrina. More will be discussed further into the semester as it's still pretty vague.

However, the first project was to design a cabinet based upon our memories. Though personal is some ways, the cabinet has to reflect ideas and position on dwelling, how dwelling is imagined and qualified from the personal to social.

My first approach to this project was to research more on the human psychological mind, how memories are defined and executed. Alice in Wonderland was one book I used as a reference to this project.

My cabinet has 3 sections, past, present and future. Eventhough the cabinet was to store personal memories, I wanted to create something universal that everyone can relate to. I chose to have a series of drawers as I like the surprise and unexpected moments drawers create. As a result, there are small drawers, short one, drawers with holes, just as our memories, some are locked drawers that contain hidden memories, unfinished drawers that represent the present and future holdings etc.

The one part I wanted to do was to create a disconnection between past and the present/future, yet with maybe a small section of the past still hanging on to the present that we bring we us everyday, maybe reminding us our past mistakes or past achievements.

Here's the result:













Here's some action shot:












The next assignment following this project was a quick design study on the urban plan of post-katrina in new orleans. Instead of focusing on a single ward as planned, I decided to look into the bigger picture, i.e. where did people moved to? what if we move people from low ground to high ground? what's the pattern created with the new sites of resettlement? etc. but here's the result.



i think the speculation i made from this map was also the disconnection created by the flood with the sites of resettlement. ideas such as embracing the flood came about. but i'll have to do more studies of this for the next assignment, which is to design a house prototype.