Author: reedmey

This is the San Diego Public Library. This is a public building that was built by the city that looks more like an expensive private development. Its creativity and uniqueness differentiates it from the ordinary public buildings that we see all over our city. By creating a unique, thought-provoking building people who normally wouldn’t step foot in a library are encouraged to enter. This is socially responsible because it is providing the public with a high-quality good that they can interact with and further their education inside. This socially responsible building encourages people of the community to read and learn when they otherwise would not.

As a structure of protection and cover from outside elements the detail of the roofs slope pushes rain or debris away from those underneath. Not only is the structure covering the head of whoever inhabits it but it also pushes any unwanted falling matter away from the individual. The structure acts as a protector and counteracting force.

The wood at each corner opens its arms to the individual inhabiting the structure. The detailed corner allows the structure to curve in a circle while also welcoming those inside and symbolizing a warm sense of welcoming and belonging.

The crosshatching fence provides protection and ensures that there is only one way in and one way out of the structure. The criss-cross and the box provide aesthetic appeal while also limiting the ability of an intruder to enter the structure.

The combination of these three details provide a safe and welcome atmosphere for the inhabitant. They can be assured that not only will unwelcome intruders be stopped but in the case of the roof, pushed further away. The details provide both an aesthetic and functional purpose that makes the structure a comfortable place to rest in all conditions.

ACROS Fukuoka in Japan

DOCUMENT FIELDS OF STUDY:

1. Graphic Communications- In order to create the design for this building, the architect must have a solid baseline in linear drawing and measurement/scaling.
2. Physics for Architects- This course will allow the architect to understand the capabilities of their design and if the concept is even physically possible
3.  Digital Drawing- In order to create a building with the necessary precision the architect will need to be able to create a digital model.
4. Construction- Similar to why physics is necessary, construction allows the architect to understand the physical capabilities of their design. The weight bearing points and gravitational limits will be evident in this class.
5. Structures- Creating a small, physical model of the building can help the architect visualize the building in order to improve its shortcomings or further expand on the design.
6.  Environmental and Sustainability Course- This building is clearly eco-friendly due to the positive benefit that it’s many rooftop plants have on the environment. An understanding of the environment allows the architect to give their building a dual purpose.
7.  Urban Planning- An understanding of how buildings interact with their community will help in implementing this unique building into an already developed community.
8.  Physcology/Economics- An understanding of consumer preferences will allow the architect to create a building that people want. Is there sufficient demand for this many units of an apartment building? Do people really want their building to have a green roof or would they prefer a park that they can interact with?

INVENT:

Creative Architecture

In this course, the student will open up their mind to start imagining how simple buildings can become architecture. Architecture is a summation of “Fine Art” and “Functional Art”. The goal of an architect is to create a structure that invokes thought and aesthetic pleasure while simultaneously providing functional use. In the student’s future career, they will be expected to think outside the box in order to create structures that satisfy these criteria.

In Creative Architecture the student will be tasked with transforming “ordinary” structures into “extraordinary” works of architecture. Through pen and paper as well as digital design, students will take photographs of ordinary buildings and edit them to form creative works of architecture. These edits can be in the form of morphing walls, implementing eco-friendly improvements, ribbon windows, open floor-plans, or any other edits that the student feels will enhance a visitor’s experience at the building. The goal of this course is to open up the creative mind of the student and allow them to go over the top in their design freedom.

 

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-Lighter outline places focus on main living quarters

-The house is the main focus and little emphasis is placed on surrounding environment

-Dark poche makes living quarters of the house feel very heavy

-Poche makes pillars and columns stand out

-Grid gives plan sharp edges and linearity with exception of top left corner arc.

-Dark surrounding environment is a part of the plan

-Trees, bushes, terrace, driveway are much more a part of the plan

-House maintains dark poche but has less contrast from rest of plan. This limited contrast makes house feel lighter than in previous plan.

-Similar grid format to first plan. Maintains strict linearity.

 

This space represents a domain that can be used by anyone at any time. There is no opening or closing time. There are no restrictions on who may use this space. However, when viewing this space there is a certain sense of who it belongs to. A University of Michigan student would feel more comfortable sitting on this bench than a non-affiliated Ann Arbor residence. Although this space provides very little guidelines for who is allowed to use it and for what purpose its positioning on the steps of the Graduate Library makes it feel more welcoming to students. This space provides a perfect view of Michigan students passing through the Diag on their way to and from class. While these students quickly cross through the Diag while paying little attention to their surroundings, the person who chooses to sit on this bench is in a very different state. Although only steps from the chaos of the Diag, this space represents a calmness and opportunity for reflection as you passively watch students frantically walk to class. This bench offers a reprieve from the stress and chaos of a Michigan student’s schedule. It gives you an opportunity to sit down and relax in a quiet place at the epicenter of campus while the chaos operates around you.