Author: perimac99

This is a women’s prison in San Diego, California built in 2016 by HMC Architects. The 45- acre campus houses over 1,200 inmates ranging from low to maximum security, and is adjacent to a residential neighborhood. This example addresses the issue of prison reform. The architecture of this prison articulates a change in mindset and perspective. Its not just the architecture that makes this prison exemplary, its the objective behind the architectural choices. The intention behind this project was to create a comfortable space reminiscent of a college campus or community center. The hope was that this architecture would reduce violence, mental health issues, and recidivism, and encourage personal growth, health, and safety.

The removal of physical boundaries, a picturesque color pallet, incorporation of natural light, and socially-encouraging design have shown to have overwhelmingly positive impacts on prisoners. The architecture encourages community, personal development, and comfort. Designated buildings and spaces for classrooms, sport and exercise facilities, courtyards, free walking paths, religious spaces, and various amenities help encourage good behavior and freedom. Thoughtful design features include direct hallways that eliminate the need for shackles when transferring high security inmates, guard stations at open desks rather than enclosed rooms, and courtyard-style configuration of cells. The barbed wire is hidden, there are no guard towers, and no bright lights. Many of the designs were controversial primarily because of safety concerns, however the environment has allowed for greater trust between guards and prisoners and fewer incidents.

The architecture of this prison is not as important as the environment created by the architecture. Crawford discusses how architects often become slaves to the countless demands of clients, and as a result the creativity and art is replaced with cheap alternatives, social and environmental irresponsibility, and carelessness. However, the example of The Las Colinas Prison actually allowed architects to be socially responsible, aesthetically-focused, with an emphasis on investment in order to play a part in creating a safer future. The architecture meets the needs of a prison, while serving the inmates and community, while also displaying pleasing architecture. This example is exemplary when it comes to prison reform, and hopefully more prison architecture adopts a similar perspective.

County Facilities Construction

https://www.kmdarchitects.com/las-colinas-detention

https://www.tetratech.com/en/projects/designing-for-rehabilitation-the-las-colinas-detention-and-

Click to access PM_IF_PPT.pdf

https://www.ozy.com/the-new-and-the-next/can-architecture-cure-crime/63328/

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

This is Matsumoto Castle located in Matsumoto, Japan. I actually toured this castle 3 years ago, and it was one of the first examples I thought of when it comes to attention to detail. This structure tells many stories about the role of the samurai through the details, because the structure is very deceiving. The first image displays a 5 story pagoda- however, the structure actually has 6 stories, the second roof from the top conceals 2 floors. The samurais would sleep on the hidden story for safety should the castle be under attack. The story told through this detail is that the samurais life is of great importance, clever and thoughtful design can be preventative measures, and that the samurai was wealthy enough to afford drastic safety measures. Next, the castle also features many small carvings on the exterior. Many of the carvings are too small and high up to be viewed, and many even face the moat. Many of the small details are not actually for viewing, but instead for spiritual purposes. Symbols of protection like the dragon on the outside of the castle tell the story of care, craftsmanship, spirituality, and artistry that came into play when this structure was built. Finally, the interior of the castle is deceiving as well. The beauty on the outside of the castle is not continued on the inside. The structure is mostly empty, there was never any art or furniture inside of the pagoda structure, just wooden walls, beams, and poles. Further, no nails, screws, or glues were used. The beams holding the structure together join like puzzle pieces. This tells a story of craftsmanship, investment, perfectionism, and long-lastingness. The craftsmanship meant that the ownership could be passed down from generation to generation. Overall, The details are arguably the most important part of the architecture, they make this castle unique, beautiful, and long lasting. They tell the story of cleverness, intent, and investment.

This is the Biblioteca Parque España by Giancarlo Mazzanti in Santo Domingo, Columbia.This building is a library and also serves as a public transportation center, employment recourse center, auditorium, and recreational space. The library is in a dangerous and impoverished area of Columbia, and since its construction it has improved the surrounding areas by providing educational and recreational recourses to nearby residents, bringing tourism, and providing a cable-car system in an area with a significant incline.

In order to create a building like this, here are some of the necessary areas of study I can hypothesize-

Social Impact/Social Change- this building was constructed as a means of social and economic improvement in this area.

Transportation- this building has a cable car system, and transportation center which not only transports people to and from the building itself, but also up and down the terrain.

Lighting Design for architecture- the exterior lighting design of the library is important to the design as a whole because it is illuminated through the windows, and through projected light upwards from the ground.

Columbian/Latin American History- I think it is important to understand the history of the city, country, surrounding area, and region as a whole in order to create a functional building that serves the area well, and also takes into account the influences of the region.

Infrastructure for Public Spaces- this is a public building that serves many purposes, and is also free to access. It serves ordinary people, and people of all ages and social statuses. I think the range of uses for this building was definitely taken into account. Also, constructing and designing a public space im sure is different than creating a private space.

Tourism- This building is a tourist attraction that brings commerce to the area.

Stonework- This skill was probably not as necessary for the designer as it was for the contractor and builders, but the building appears to be straight black, but in reality it is a mixture of dark stones.

Library Science- This building is primarily a library, im sure that library organization, design, and usage was studied, perhaps librarians and curators were consulted.

Construction for Buildings on non-level ground- this building was construction on non-level ground, the ground is on a steep angle. Im sure this field was important for both the contractor and architect.

Course Description

I think a required course for architecture students should be something focused on the design and infrastructure of spaces in order to encourage and accommodate social interaction and function. In “The Death of The Monument”, The author shares how many spaces are created in order to be long-lasting and permanent, rather than functional for the present. However, in the modern day- social, public spaces are important because they serve ordinary people day-to-day. The contents of this course would include sociology and psychology, the study of free and public spaces, and emphasis on functional design. This would be useful for education because it would be a way for students to focus on how people would use spaces rather than the space itself. This would be useful to society and the world as a whole because spaces for everybody are important. Within the curriculum, I think this course should be a class offered towards the end of an undergraduate degree, because I think understandings of the basics or architecture would be necessary for a class like this

 

My theme is industrial design- most of these pictures aren’t of things that were designed for aesthetics, they were designed for purpose. Many pictured letters are made out of metal, pipes, and have practical designs. Those that aren’t were taken in and of engineering and science buildings.

This is the technical plan

-Displays measurments and angles, CAD allows for easy revisions, different line weights and colors clarify real elements vs labels/measurements, clear and objective display of space, useful for set builder and construction crew.

These are hospital set design plans from the television show “Mercy”, designed by John Kasarda. The reflected ceiling plan was hand drafted by John Kasarda, the technical plan was made by Ryan Heck in Vectorworks. These examples are from the book “Designer Drafting and Visualizing for The Entertainment World” by Patricia Woodbridge and Hal Tine.

Because this is a set rather than a building, there are not exterior pictures of it. However, in the link to the trailer, the interior of the hospital set can be viewed from 0:30-2:18

I am not 100 Percent set on a theme, however I am noticing a trend of “industry” in the first 8 images. I noticed a lot of metals, pipes, , the smoke stack, and I also took a lot of images in labs and science buildings. The Last 2 images dont really follow the theme as well, however I do enjoy and hope to use them. 

F, V, and J

Theres kind of a metal theme going on here.

Safe Creative Space

This domain is the Theatrical Design and Production Studio in the Walgreen Drama center. It is a place where people in my major feel comfortable, and spend many hours each day. Every person in my major is provided a large desk, a lamp, and a chair in order to paint, draft, draw or study. Similar to examples Lavine shares, the studio itself is a territory possessed by those in my major- defined by doors and walls; but within the space there are invisible confines of desk domains. Unspoken expectations of individualistic territory are apparent in the studio- we leave our laptops on our desks overnight, some people take naps laying on their desks, and there is an expectation to keep your belongings to the close vicinity of your desk. Each desk is more than a workspace- it’s a domain that is possessed, it’s our own personal territory in the University.
However, the studio itself is also a territory possessed by my community- it’s a place where actors and non-majors are out of place, because there is an exclusive aura within the domain. Rasmussen’s argument about the purpose of architecture is apparent in this space. The large windows, butcher block desks, and industrial design of this space is both practical and pleasing to experience. The setting of this space makes it easy to be creative and productive- the designer of this space was successful in facilitating the intention of the space. The studio is important to me because of the practicality of the space, but also the community I feel when I am there.