Yun Yun Ling (512032)Week 1

ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO AIR

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

My name is Yun Yun and I am currently in my third year of the Bachelor of Environments (Architecture) degree. I am 20 years old and originally from Kuching, Malaysia.

To be honest, digital design in architecture has never been a favourite of mine. I prefer the simplicity and clarity of a design rather than the complex patterns digital technology seems to produce. However, I am open to new ideas and can’t wait to see what this subject has in store.

My first encounter with digital design theory and tools was through the BodySpace project in the subject, Virtual Environments, which I took during my first year. We were required to use Rhino and the panelling tools plug- in as a tool to produce 3d models of our design. The final model was then sent to the fabrication lab to produce our wearable model.

Since then, I have utilized Rhino in all of my design studio subjects. However, I have only used it in the early stages of my design work when I run out of ideas and when I want to send my site plans to the fabrication lab. I still find it quite a challenge to transfer my ideas to the computer. Besides Rhino, I use AutoCAD for drafting and also attempted rendering with 3ds Max.

ARCHITECTURE AS DISCOURSE

“Architecture needs to be though of less as a set of special material products and rather more as range of social and professional practices that sometimes, but by no means always, lead to buildings.”

-Richard Williams, Architecture and Visual Culture

Sendai Mediatheque, Japan by Toyo Ito

Being original and unique can be difficult especially in a world where almost everything has already been thought of. However, Ito has managed to design an innovative structure that challenges our perceptions on architecture.

There are no columns inside the building on any floors besides the tubes that serve as storage and connections between each floor. Therefore, it is really an interesting space to experience. It is still used by many as an information exchange centre where media is the main focus. Ito has really created a space where people are free to roam without any barriers or obstructions. This space had been planned properly to accommodate any future changes in the information environment and also the user’s changing needs. This is great as architecture is able to evolve at a same pace as its surroundings.

There are three main architectural elements to this building form, the horizontal plates (floors), the tubes (steel pipe slender columns) and the skin (the façade of the building). By combining design and structure, Ito has man-aged to create this intriguing structure just by focusing on these 3 elements that are often neglected during the design process. This is quite an innovative building, as the floors seem to be suspended in air, as if defying gravity. The structure of the build-ing is visible to users through the transparent façade.

Sendai Mediatheque is a good example of a new and emerging building typology that is appropriate to today’s technological age and culture. It changes our perceptions of how architecture should be and how it is good to embrace new technological innovations.

Barriers are eliminated from the internal space of this building. The result is a fluid open plan. This building acknowledges that information is, and cannot be contained, therefore it is impossible to place it within a spatial barriers

Kolumba Museum, Cologne, Germany by Peter Zumthor

Zumthor’s work always seems so timeless and never feels out of place. The Kolumba Museum is no exception. Zumthor has managed to create a humble space to exhibit artwork yet at the same time, he manages to impact our emotions with the brilliant effects of light in the interior space. The Koumba Museum is built over and integrated with the existing gothic ruins of a church which creates a dialogue between the old and the new. His main focus and inspiration for this design was the artwork and he does not get too worked up with what he calls the “Bilbao syndrome” when designing this museum. What I love about this building is the perfect harmony of material and light. Furthermore, the space was designed with the artwork in mind and will continue to serve this purpose. This work will continue to be a good precedent by many as it proves that architecture need not be flashy to be appreciated or beautiful.

Kolumba Museum, Colonia. 2010. Peter Zumthor - Fotografía de Hélène Binet.

Kolumba Museum, Colonia. 2010. Peter Zumthor - Fotografía de Hélène Binet.

EXPERIMENTING WITH RHINO + GRASSHOPPER