Finally, a final plan diagram and associated model pictures

Agreed upon and signed on 2009.04.16. Finally. Declaration of Independence style.

Study Model

Lee Street Elevation

Tate Street Elevation
Oakland Avenue Elevation
McCormick Street Elevation
Originally, the model was built as a study of physically joining the auditorium and the area that the trains would pass through. The study has progressed from the first model, which started with separate forms representing program areas. The connector between the train and auditorium areas has several functions: exterior "bridge" circulation, specific experiences/views associated, and it is also the seam that connects the auditorium and atrium. Below, the upper form is the auditorium shell, the lower form is the roof cover over where the trains pass underneath (also where people enter the building from the Oakland Avenue side to get over the tracks safely), and the connector is the walkway.

Old Path, New Direction.

This is a parts construction method we used previously in the semester except now we know where the program lies within the form of the building. We (Jessica, Susan, and myself) managed to agree on this, plans, entrances, etc. I will be modeling this in sketchup tonight and on Sunday, finishing in time to produce slightly worthy plans, sections, and elevations for Tuesday (our scheduled date to have those items finished for the group project). The form is not as complex and we will be using the same Sendai inspired steel columns to hold it all up.

DF7A26 - thoughts, process, dynamic

A difficult task, we have been assigned. 

Our preliminary goals have been established after several discussions involving the [10x10] week long exercise in which we were all required to submit 10 "big ideas" in both two dimensional and three dimensional forms. Our group, DF7A26, coalesced in light of the fact that we all were interested in some form of bridge mechanism, a formal design that would connect lee street and the community with UNCG's campus with our Lee street site and the rail road tracks harboring the focal point of transition. 

The goals grew out of a diagramming charette initiated early on in assignment 2.1. A time limit of about an hour was given to complete as many context and goal oriented diagrams as possible. Afterwards we each discussed our ideas, sometimes sketching over each other's diagrams. There were three that stood out in my mind. 

1) The context of Greensboro's existing rail roads

2) The bridge/transition between community and education

3) The bridge/transition from ground level experiences to higher levels offering specific views

After achieving these and several others, we moved on to a conceptual sketching charette. As a group we each spent 5 minutes sketching out what we thought the building should look/feel like. After that time period we passed our drawings to the person on our right for another 15 minute sketching exercise. This continued until everyone had sketched on everyone else's initial idea. The results were fruitful. It was an enjoyable experience, as the previous goal charette had been. After the deliberation and discussion of what everyone thought the drawings represented, a decision was made on one that everyone could agree on. I feel this drawing's ability to be flexible visually was perhaps the strongest pull for most of the group. The sketch could be interpreted in plan, section, elevation, and maybe even in perspective to some extent.

Afterwards, we turned to the charette process again, this time in model form. Inspired by the above mentioned concept sketch, as a group we spent an hour constructing  parts that could be interchanged. The process was similar to the drawing exercise. Everyone had a chance to construct a model of the building out of the group of parts, taking pictures of things that sparked our minds and satisfied ideas in varying degrees. Several areas were discussed: exterior formal design, general floor plate design and placement, and the massing of programmatic areas. The creations were complex, at least in the sense that it would be difficult to translate them as a group in the limited amount of time available for this part of the project. Unfortunately, this continually challenged us throughout the rest of the project.

Moving on from the physical world and into the virtual, DF7A26 initiated another charette. Each of the group members chose a picture from the model charette and continued the modeling process in sketch-up. The collaboration process was amazing. Proving to be effective once again, we mixed and matched our 3-D models in the virtual world, establishing a gestural form we felt represented our goals.
Around this gesture we were able to complete several more diagrams including views and multiple iterations of general program placement in plan and section. With the Atlanta trip looming over us, we still have to complete a site diagram and model. Not much we can do except get done what we can in the time we have.

[10x10]

Working Model Status

The steel rods have added another dimension to the working model. With this additional option the pieces are no longer limited to connecting at such a close proximity with each other. With varying rod lengths and insert placements I've even started to manipulate the directions in which the pieces can connect by slightly turning/twisting them. On to the perspectives...more to come.

The Goods.

The experiment turned out quite spectacular although unfortunately it did have its set backs. The jig I used was not completely perpendicular to the blocks when I was cutting the grooves which resulted in things not lining up exactly. Regardless, I am pleased with the output and that I still have my digits attached (there was a bit of a scare for a moment). I will probably go back and attempt to fix the problems tomorrow during class (charette permitting). As you can see I've started to drill holes for the rods I plan to use. The strength of the plywood is suprising, especially in the 2nd and 3rd pictures. The striations both represented by the grooves and the grain of the plywood are definately singing conceptually.
And theres more where that came from.

Leaning tower of pixels...[Refractive Pixels in Metastasis]

I am working more with models in this project to see if incorporating them into my usual black hole of a process nets any interesting results. Model building is not a strong skill of mine and if I need to show my ideas physically and conceptually, it needs to improve. So, the only way you get better is if you practice, right? What better opportunity is there to practice then with a studio project? I'm enjoying myself so far but I think it has more to do with the tools (shop), materials (plywood) and scale I'm working at. In the past I've noticed that there is a severe decline in the dexterity of my hands once I get working with fairly small objects. For example, I can't shuffle cards, play the guitar or any other instrument for that matter. My fingers just don't get it. Perhaps there is some disconnect between the nerves in my fingers and the synapses firing in my brain. This disadvantage always translates itself into poorly made models for projects. I think a time for change is appropriate. I laminated scraps of plywood together, smoothed out the faces, and cut grooves on 4 sides of the piece with a 1/2" dado pack on the radial arm saw.
The "pixel" is a two dimensional or three dimensional manifestation of information. In this model study I've chosen to use the square and cube as a starting form for that manifestation. It is not pictured here but the entire mass is cut into varying lengths, all of which can be interlocked on any of the 4 sides with grooves. The parts can be manipulated to create different "pixel" masses. I see this as the first stage in what is to be the abstraction of the form and how the new forms speak to the possibility of new types of connections that might occur between those masses. Stay tuned, the process continues...