unit summary 3

I believe materials help us understand design as an integrated practice by connecting all elements involved in the design through the use of materials. Besides scale, I believe materials is one of the most important parts of any design. It is simple, without materials, the design itself would not exist. All design principles and elements relate back to what material was used in the making of the piece. For example, the coliseum was made with very strong, weather enduring materials which we know based on the piece's longevity. Materials and scale are very much related when discussing designs. I think they depend on one another. Without one of them, the piece would not make sense. The Willis Tower in Chicago, Illnois is a perfect example of scale and material. It is the tallest building in Chicago and is made mostly of glass. It is has a very modern look and is a main focal point for the city. It is also impressive from an experience point of view of how stable the building is when it is mostly made of glass. I fully believe that material links backs to unit 1 and unit 2. It was frustrating for me to study elements and principles and scale without the connection of materials. Materials, to me, make the design. For example, the great wall of china is made with of old brick from centuries ago. Imagine how different it would look if the whole wall was metal or glass. Materials all connect back to the original design elements and principles. As we go unit through unit, I am realizing that everything in design tends to build and rely on each other. I think all designs can be better comprehended through material study. 

Material sketching

10/23/16

Gatton college of business: S. Limestone

Because of the use of glass from floor to ceiling, it creates a very open space for the inside of the building. It also allows a lot of nautral light into the space. I think the desigers chose this material to try to add soe curb appeal to the buiding since you can see the large glass wall from the main road. It also gives the builiding a more modern look. I believe they were a lot of pressure when builidng this building. They tried to make it as modern and professional as possible. There is many examples of line throughout the space with the conrete detailing and the paneling with the glass windows. Light is also a huge element that is used here since the glass windows are floor to ceiling.

Willy T. Young Library: South/Central campus

The inside environment of Willy T has two main color schemes. One being all white, clean cut marble, while the other is dark wood. I sketched the third floor here where you can see the vastness of the large wooden workspaces along with large tables to do work on, both using the same wood as their main material. I believe the designers chose this dark wood to bring a homey type feel to the library. Also , by repeating the same materials, it makes the large space appear smaller. This very well could not be real wood, but it looks real based on color and texture. The way the panels are placed creates pattern throughout the space along with repetition. You can look down each side and everyone looks exactly the same.

Johnson Center: sports center drive

The Johnson Center is placed kind of away from other main buildings on campus. Its large concrete overhang and dark gray, almost black color, makes it stand out compared to the other buildings on campus. I believe when they builded this, they wanted something different and something that stood out hence, the large detail that holds the title of the building on it. It also extends out the other way, creating emphasis. It also is so large creating a unbalanced scale that is appealing to the eye. 

The 90 lobby: South Campus

The 90 lobby is very modern looking and makes it seem like there are minimal materials used in the space.  I believe when the designer was creating this space he wanted a focal point but for it to still blend with everythig else involved in the space. It also needed to be versatile to get upstairs to the classrooms. With the metal staircase, it creates a modern feel to the space. There is also metal seperating the panes of the glass which ties back in metal from the staircase. You can also find it as the "grout" on the tile floor creating lines.

21st century

For whatever reason, my videos will not load so I did some other research trying to come up with some answers. A new material that is used in the 21st century is plexiglass. This is a strong material that adds a sleekness to the space and gives the space an overall modern feel. Another very popular material, is plastic. It is used at this point in almost everything we know today. In the upcoming decade I believe a stronger more durable plastic may be built in order to create larger things like buildings.

metal + glass

The flatiron buiilding in the heart of New York City is a prime example of the new modern style of glass and metal. Along with the repeated pattern of windows and metal detailing, the building itself is a odd shape compared to every other building in the city. I believe when it was built it very much ahead of it's time and is a frequent spot for tourists, even today. 

Metals

Metal is best used for structural purposes, mostly underneath walls and interiors and is usually hidden. Since metal is so strong it is a perfect material to hold up a large structure such as the expansion of the dome on the capitol building. Metal structures were also used when the white house went under renovation from the inside out. The most popular metals are iron and steel when using them for sturdiness. Applications have changed through time but not by much. Today, metals are still used for structural purporses but sometimes are exposed in designs rather than hidden to create a more rustic look. 

coliseum

Limestone and concrete were the two main materials used in the making of the coliseum. These both were used for stability and longevity. The limestone was meant to show power to the people and almost show a sense of a special occasion since "fun" events took place in the center of hte colisuem and everyone came to see them. The sturcture of the building also represented power by the way the different tiers were built. The emperor and his senate sat near the front while the knights and freeman followed behind them. Lastly, the women and slaves sat top tier since they were lowest socially. I dont believe human comfort was thought of when building the coliseum. It was more meant for size and fitting as many possible spectators in as possible regardless comfort. The only comfort thing I saw addressed was the covers that would be rolled out to sheild spectators from sun and rain.

Young Library

main entrance toward rose street: this entrance has symmetry and a very monochromatic color scheme. There is minmal decroations and textures which add to the aesthetic. 

central space in front of circulation desk: The color scheme is carried on into the main area. There is also similarity throughout due to the windows and the archways. Not seen in this photo, that theme carries all the way to the ceiling. 

Floor 2 Rotunda: This room also has symmetry from almost any angle since it's a perfect circle. The high ceiling also adds to the setting making everything around it seem much smaller including desks, bookshelves, and people.

Reference desk on the 2nd floor: This room differs from the rest with its patterned carpet and painted walls. The woodwork from the rotunda is carried into this room with the entire desk and the bookshelves. The lights are also the same in the rotunda which creates a sense of unity.

Bookshelves: The bookshelves are identical no matter what floor you are on. Most bookshelves, at the least the ones I've observed, are mostly encyclopedias. The collections are the same color which makes the booksheves seem organized and appealing. 

Study carrel: The wood theme is still carried throughout, but this time in the furniture. The round table is the focal point of the room and also adds unity to the room. The lamps on the desk add form to the room while also having a purpose.

Study Room: The study room has different carpet  and different furniture than what we've seen so far. There is also a white board for problems and such. I believe these rooms are kept to a bare minimum when speaking pf design to cause less distractions to those trying to study.

I spend a lot of time in Willy T and I think it is one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture I have seen. I think the high ceilings and the crisp white color scheme makes is so aesthetically pleasing and I enjoy going there to study. Each floor is a little different than the other but they still correlate so well and make the building flow together overall.

Unit Summary 2 (scale)

This unit made me understand how important scale is when trying to understand design. Scale is just as important in design as elements and principles. I recall our first discussion group meeting when we went outside Willy T and examined its vastness. The entirety of the building is huge making it out of scale compared to everything else on campus. On the other hand, some of the windows and railings on the faux balconies are so small compared to every other design aspect on the building making those elements seem out of place. I have become much more aware of scale throughout campus and in my everyday life. I also posted on my blog a photo of the Sydney Opera House which I had the oppurtunity to actually see this summer. It is so large even when you're on a very large water ferry. It also sits at the edge of the harbor making it's light posts, railings, and patrons surrounding it seem very small in comparison. I do believe there is a link between scale and elements and principles. When discussing scale throughout blogposts and discussion groups, I noticed always linking back to the elements and principles of design. I almost feel that scale can be in those categories and should get just as much attention as the other design aspects, specifically, contrast, form, unity, balance, and emphasis. I do believe all designs can be described with scale and it actually is almost necessary to do so. Size can say much about the design, its practicality, purpose, appeal, etc. 

Case Study 2

The image I chose to recreate shows off a very large centerpiece along with very large columns. Everything in the Sunar Furniture Showroom is a very smooth texture, while the centerpiece has 3-D texture. The large columns immediatly draw your eye to the center of the room and split it down the middle due to the symmetry of the 2 to 1 pattern. They are also very large for the room, making their scale much larger compared to the furniture in the room. 

chair experience

Paimio Scroll Chair

Alvar Aalto

line, color, form, shape, balance, symmetry, proportion, harmony, emphasis, unity

modern chairs

Modern can mean many different things. Truthfullly, if I learned anything from class, its that the designer chooses what is modern by the way they have designed the chair or other pieces. Most of the chairs in class focused on the elements and principles like color, line, shape, and form. My sense of scale has changed in this unit by realizing that again, the designer is in complete control of the size ofthe chair. For example, there was one very small chair, and then the purple womb was much larger. There was also one with a very tall back that seemed out of place. It all depends on the look and practicality the designer was going for.