Building Community
Purpose
To create an individual structure through an architectural form that achieves a communal environment by connecting to others.
Objectives
To research architectural space in terms of form, function and fantasy.
To develop concepts through drawings which are about internal space, external form, and about location.
To produce a model using technical processes and formal concepts learned in the previous projects.
Process
Construct from 3/16th" x 3/16th" strips of foam core an architectural structure that addresses both the interior and exterior spaces. The structure can be a residence, business, studio, skyscraper, outer space place, etc. The structure must reflect your imagined comfort level, your own personal aesthetic. The only requirement is that your structure must have an entry point that stands EXACTLY 3" from the ground, is 2" wide and is 3.5" or more in height and the entire structure must be at least 15" x 15" x 15" at any given axis.
Since the this can be any type of structure you can imagine, you need to research the possibilities to make informed design decisions. Go online and to the library and look up different examples of the structure you want to build and gather images of the desired structures interior and exterior, see if you can find blue prints! Print these images out and bring them to class. The images don't need to be in color.
Step Two: Design
Now that you are armed with information, make 5 different exterior design sketches/concepts informed by your research. Be sure to include in your sketches/concepts 360 degree views of the exterior. Since we are forming a community, we will vote on your final exterior design in groups of four. Once the final exterior design is decided upon, do one sketch of what your interior space will look like. It's your personal space, so the interior is entirely up to you.
Step Three: Build
Using your 3/16th" x 3/16th" strips of foam core, glue and your sketches as blueprints, build your architectural form with an entry point that stands EXACTLY 3" from the ground, is 2" wide and is 3.5" or more in height so this structure can be connected to others to form a community.
Tips
While hot glue works much more quickly, refrain from using it and at the very least CONCEAL it, hot glue is bulky and just looks messy. Use patience, straight pins and a liquid glue to construct a nicely crafted form. Pre-cutting your foam core strips will also be helpful and change your razor blade often. Sharp razor blades make cleaner cuts and saves you time and money since you wont have to throw away chewed up foam core strips.
Production Schedule
Thr 3.19 - OP 1250
final critique project #3
introduce project #4
Tue 3.24 - OP 1250
sketch 5 designs
Thr 3.26 - OP 1250
vote on designs
skecth interiors
Tue 3.31 - OP 1250
start building
final composition
Thr 4.2 - OP 1250
continue building
final composition
Tue 4.7 - OP 1250
Student Research Confernce
No Class
Thr 4.9 - OP 1250
finish building
final composition
introduce project #5
Tue 4.14 - OP 1250
final critique project #4
