Archinect - Florida International University (Christian)

paper-thin plaster

2006-11-10T21:28:07-05:00

Programme:

"Create a space within a garden for two people to have a conversation. Select one of the following character pairs to use as programme for the inhabitable spaces:

The Arborist and The Mapmaker
The Poet and The Bookbinder
The Philosopher and The Sculptor

Be sure to include the following spaces: a space for conversation, a space for each to enter, a space for each to exit, a space for each to wander and think. Using the constructions that were derived from your characters, construct a narrative for the activities that occur in each of the spaces, and use this narrative to resolve the connections between interior conditions within the intervention of the site."

Materials:

Plaster, music wire, plexi glass, and bass wood

Process:

We are to constuct our models first out of bristol board, as an exercise to study positive and negative spaces. Then, convert the negative space into a mold for the plaster to be poured. While the plaster is curing, incorporate the other mate...

piano wire and plexi blues

2006-10-31T20:13:40-05:00

We're constructing our second model of the semester, (the matrix and itinerary) with music wire and plexi glass. When executed properly, our professor said the two materials complement each other extremely well. So far I've tried everything, and all I can come up with is something that looks like egg whites fried in asphalt using a tin foil spatula.

Is there any way to avoid that greasy, rusty, look? I've used a 40 watt and 80 watt soldering iron, as well as a butane torch, and all three yielded the same result. Sand paper and rubbing alcohol don't seem to be helping either. I've also tried two types of flux, in multiple quantities, to no avail.

The plexi is somewhat of a bitch too. Plexi Zap adheres but leaves behind a foggy residue. What's with that? I heard a few students talking about acetate being a lot easier to use. Does it have the same affect as plexi glass?

No need to call the wambulance, but I will say it's frustrating not feeling confident with the materials given, e...

9 cubic inches vs .61 mega bytes

2006-10-24T21:16:41-04:00

Our second project of the semester wrapped up two weeks ago, and the next stage of model making has begun. In the mean time we have been exploring our third project on vellum and mylar. After completing my first pass at an 18x24x5 representation of the drawings, I realized that my precious spatial cubes are slightly in the way. Using the same careful thought my father displayed, packing our family van before a two week road trip, I organized my work space accordingly - plenty of elbow room without getting rid of anything...

A chill still goes down my spine when I say that. One day I will have to get rid of something. One day I will have to get rid of a lot of things. Being the pack rat that I am, how could I possibly get rid of my models? my spatial appendages? Which ones do I keep? Which ones do I trash? How long is it necessary to hold on to them?

I've never been the finest photographer, so taking the right picture and enough of them, is somewhat daunting. Plus, how can tho...

research, so you can research.

2006-10-12T20:53:02-04:00

I found out the hard way...

Before tackling a building analysis project, make sure you have more than enough information on the site. Then, safeguard that with enough extra to write the same paper in any other class.

Any research project is always easier with more info. Architecture is a little different. Not only do you need an exorbitant amount of information, you need an incredibly wide range of information- climate, topography, sun-charts, views to, from, and inside the building, plans, sections, elevations, cultural, economical, political...

Not to sound like I want a cake walk, but there are so many great sites out there to study. I've quickly learned, with three projects under my belt, that most of these have little info available.

The recommendations/warnings my professors gave, before we selected our buildings, went in one ear and out the other. Being new to the program, my excitement for picking a dynamic design blinded any foresight to the actual research I would hav...

Studio vs. Home

2006-09-24T18:35:11-04:00

I do all my work in the studio. I find it much more convenient to set up and have everything I need in one spot, instead of lugging it all back and forth. saves time. when i'm here i'm not as easily distracted (except of course by archinect,) and I find I get more done. I don't feel I am more creative here vs. home, but there is an energy that seems to spark motivation. Our professors and advisors all highly suggest we work in the studio as well. However, they don't seem as concerned with the convenience factor, but more the benefits of working close to someone for the support and inspiration. I guess they feel if the group works around each other, we will accel faster. I haven't really seen much of these benefits yet, and am wondering if it just takes time, or if it's not something every class will provide. Out of the twenty some students in my class, only about 4-5 of us actually work in studio. I'm sure the upper division students have a lot to offer, but the different projects a...

Armature. Isn't that what I slept in last night?

2006-09-21T23:42:44-04:00

I've lost track of time since my last posting. I'm also not really sure where I am right now. There's a crispy chill in the air, and it smells like harvest. Blue Ridge!!! oh wait, our a.c. is set to 68 degrees, and the $3.99 cinnamon broom I bought at Publix is in full bloom. I'm home...miami.

Haven't seen much of the place since the semester hit the ground running. Formative studio -translation- mucho en un poco - stress the mucho.

No complaints though. My classes are still as interesting, if not more than they were billed. We handed in our final passes at a 6 inch cube (matte board, chip board, 1/8" basswood,) on Tuesday, and were promptly assigned our first attempt at a 60-30 isometric of the cube. We were also assigned an iso of a 9 inch "armature" that will hold the 6" programme-due this afternoon.

Now granted architecture is all about the process- how'd you get there, let me see, that's more interesting than your final- this first attempt was none so pretty. What was even...

WANTED: artistic eye (forget architecture)

2006-09-12T23:30:17-04:00

That's what I heard this afternoon in studio.

As an addendum to my earlier blog, my professor assessed the final composition of our spatial analysis, pointed out a few strengths, gave a little criticism, and abundantly assigned everyone the task to forget architecture. Our goal for the rest of the year is to learn spatial relationships/understanding/manipulation...We are to create a new way of thinking (lines, planes, surfaces, projections, implications...) while becoming confident with different model/drawing media that we will use in the up-coming years. Okay, i'm comfortable with that. I think I understand it, and I know I'm interested. What has got me concerned is the artistic eye. That is also what we will need. Or is it? I don't know...What did she mean?

I was one of the few lucky ones who received positive feedback, and yet I can't get that art "thing" out of my head. Do I have it or not? When will I realize? How important is it? Is it innate, natural, something that you a...

a new way of thinking

2006-09-12T13:06:53-04:00

We are turning in our final drawing of our first project in studio today. The assignment uses Richard Diebenkorn's Ocean Park Series of paintings as a source to begin spatial exploration. Each of us were to analyze the spatial/organizational structure of one of the paintings, both visually, and theoretically. The result has been a series of layers and maps (i think my count totalled 37!!) to finally (hopefully) reach one compositon/construction that communicates those ideas explored. Pencils, pens, bumwaud, vellum, and one medium of color were allowed.

Now being on the track three masters program, we all come from completely different backgrounds, with completely different understandings of architecture. So needless to say, this first project came from left field, and some of us have yet to enter the ballpark. I'm sure my professors are aware of the presumptions most of us make, but even with that understanding, it's got to be a daunting task to break us all down to the same base f...

I GOT MY FIRST CLIENT!!!

2006-09-08T22:27:56-04:00

You mean I won't have my own clients for at least five years??? Okay, I didn't respond to my design professor's blunt statement with that astonished question. Someone else did. But it did make me think. I just finished my first week, of my first year, of gradutae architecture, and, uh, yeah, my hair is blown back...in more ways than one. Sipping my first ice-cold beer, 9:56 pm, on a lovely 91 degree, 97% humidity, Friday night in miami, I just came to a realization; I got my first client. It's name is ARCHITORTURE!! So yes, I am enjoying this celebratory beer for making it through the first week, but don't get me wrong. There is actually a tear in this beer, because one week is gone. My first semester is that much closer to ending. After it's over, i will only have six more left. I know I probably sound insane, and will do everything not to choke on those chunky words I might be eating, but I don't care. I am psyched for it. My first week rocked. The next 111 are going to rock. When...