Arch 101Final Portfolio

By: Leung Sze LongInstruction: Professor Jerry LamSemester: Spring 2013Date: 17th May, 2013.

Arch 101:Final Project Description:The major purpose of the final project is gather teammates' designs and be able to build an installation in a temporary area- courtyard. Final project develops, by teammates' creatives, knowledge, skills developed over the semester. In our design, we composed organic architect into our element. Our installation has respond to the site which base on the three trees areas to create mysterious, space of seat, and meditative spaces.

After the installation are built, we wish the blowing white fabrics can draw attention from the people pass by the installation and able to provide a relaxing area and get away from the busy school lifes.

Finished Installation

Narrative Starting the journey, we begin at the bottom of the hill secluded from other sites. We approach tree branches that introduce the materials which we were inspired by. Our group is inspired by the area created within the three trees and the magical qualities it presents. As you make your way up to the site, you will see tree roots on the same plane as the entry staircase. The staircase introduces the main materials of our site, wood. There is a journey of wood relation, from the wood of a tree to construction wood. Walking up to the first spacial journey, we walk into a site map of City College landscape. Nodes are placed in forms of cotton balls to mimic distinguished areas or less distinguished. After being introduced to the landscape, we move on to the next room, the sitting area. Here you can sit, take out a book to read and enjoy the view. It is a resting point before entering your last spatial journey. Sitting Area opens you to an open deck, feeling the wind and experiencing you within the three trees. You can look up and see the intricate designs of the tree's branches that are mimicked in the flooring below. The last room on your journey is a meditative section. Here you can unwind and escape the harsh bulky building of Batmale Hall. We wanted to offer students a place of solitude that is outdoors. The three trees gives a nourishing essence and we wanted to capture this quality for your last experience. To exit the site, you have to reconnect with the sitting space where you will find a drapery to lead you out. The exit is positioned to be the other entrance to other team sites.

Site Analysis

Three Trees AreaUneven groundSlopeSoft Ground

Site Response Our site has chosen to respond with the natural elements and landscape such as winds, sunlight, rain, three trees, slope, and view.● Organic to connect with other forms of nature● Using of three trees to create spaces and geometry to

organiz space● Based on idea of creating pathway for access while

highlighting the environment of the site● Developed from the concept of human spatial

experience in connection with natural spatial features● Space coonection on site

Main Concept● Spatial journey discovery

● Creating space using tectonic language of design● Using repetition, hierarchy and unity to achieve

complexity in geometry● Framework with the idea of Frames and Nature and the

use of structural type: Sectioning● Use of proportional system● Use of narrative

InspirationOur design are inspired by an architect Takashi Kobayashi As tree houses. Tree House has a sense of nostalgia, incorporate nature, and offers a place of solitude. It is your own world to escape to. Our project is an approuach to an architectural tree house, using ordering and operational principles approaches to our design.

Design IntentOur design are respond to the trees, environment, nature curvilinear factors, views of the Batmale Building and distant hillside. We try to create 3 space journey, which are mysterious and magical, space for people to sit, reflect and study, and meditative and serne.

Design #1,#2,#3Design in the first week. I was trying to come out with some design with a exit. In that time, we haven't design what kind of space we want to create.

Design #4After we are inspired by the tree house, the design comes out from my brain. This design called "Skynet Hanging." "Skynet Hanging" is created to be a resting and sitting area. This design called "Skynet Hanging" because it is a test object of creating an elevated sitting area. Sadly, this design was banned by my teammate because they think that is dangerous.

Design #5After, the "Skynet Hanging," I crafted the other model which also related to "Skynet Hanging" called "Serious Skynet" because I have think about how to create a safe elevated sitting area seriously. In result, my teammate still cannot believe a net with 3 trees can hold a body weight. Therefore, "Serious Skynet" is banned.

Design #6After, my teammate banned my design for too risk to build something on the tree then. I change the design and build at the ground. This design called "Cave" because I was thinking how to catch the monet of magical. Therefore, I created an entrance that we have to lower our body to enter the space and I believe that will be more chances to happen when we enter a cave. That's why this design call "Cave." However, they think it will cost alot, so they banned.

Design #7

Before our last design, we have ideas that we are going to used whose design. However, my team want to build walls on the installation. Therefore, I comes up with an idea of use fabric and created a test object for my team to preview how will the fabric looks like on the installation.

Final Design

We chose Chun Mei's design as our final desgin.

Construction ProcessMaterials:

Woods2"x1"x8'2"x2"x8'2"x4"x8'1"x3"x8'1/2"x5"x5'RopeFabric

Construction ProcessIssue

● Windy● Roots under the trees● Three slopes● hard to access through the site● Loose soil

Construction ProcessSeek for materials

In the beginning of our construction, we have to seek for materials. Most of our materials took from our home, or recycling department. However, some of our materials cannot be used because they are damaged. Therefore, we have to go to Lowes to buy our materials.

Contruction Process

After we have our materials, the second thing we do the most are talking the design. After, we move up to the site we find out there is so many issue like loose soil, and roots.

Construction ProcessAfter, we clear the loose soil on the site, we begin start on our installation. We first built the deck which support the flooring wood and post. During we install the deck, we have problem on using the saw because it is our first time to use the machine, and it's hurt all the time. It takes out few hours to finish the whole deck. Then we deliver the base to the site and things happen.

Construction ProcessWe find out it is nearly impossible to put a post in the ground for the middle part of the deck because there are roots all around in that area. Luckily, we found some wood base to support the the deck and we put another 4"x6" wood to support the wood base. In the same time we also used 2"x2" to support the front and the back of the deck. And, our main part is finished.

Construction ProcessAfter secure the main part of the installation, we have to secure the meditative space because that is an extended part of the installation. We used rope and 2"x2" to support the whole structure. After finish the whole structure or the installation. We separated task to finish and I have to work on the stairs. And, I become the lone wolf.

Construction ProcessTOOLS LOST!!!

Most of our work become more difficult because all our power is gone. (Don't know how they get the Red Bull)

It is lucky that I always bring my tools home. Therefore, I have to work on the stairs at home.

Construction Process

When I come back to the site, the installation is almost done. And, after I put my stairs on and we finish the rest of the installation together.

Reflection

When I go through the last half semester of my arch 101, I feel what I learn is totally different from what I learn in my beginning of my semester. In the beginning of my arch 101 class, it is focus more on design. In the last half semester of my arch 101, I learn more about where we can find the materials, what is the difference between different materials, how to communicate and work together with other people, time management, and how to build something on uneven ground. The best thing I have learn from building this installation is we always ready for plan B like when we are in the middle on the installation, we lost all our tools. Then we have to comes up with a plan B. In our case, we have to used hand saw to cut the woods and be ready to put everything together once we borrow other tools from other groups or we bring some other tools from our family again. In this class, what I have learned is not only design skills but also skills to work with others and situation.