Kit of Parts Reviews: Blakeni Walls

Blakeni’s concept word was bubble. She brainstormed for ideas for her spaces by creating a list of associative words she linked with the word bubble. The three words she stuck with for her three spaces were “pop”, “child-like”, and “delicate”, in that order.

The conceptual frame for her first space was one of futurism, and real v. the surreal. Her ideas about futurism are carried out well in her minimalist approach to her renderings, of which the sections are most clear. The word “pop” comes into play through the “pops” of color found through out the space against a neutral white background. The conceptual frame for her second space was the idea of an adults’ playground. She uses Marcel Wanders’ Mondrian South Beach hotel as inspiration. The third space she saw as a challenge to herself; trying to make such a large space seem delicate and light. She makes deliberate use of the feelings of floating, hovering, and transparency.

Blakeni brings her ideas to life in her first space by using the two columns to give separation between the bubbles of space she creates by the level change and the transparent frosted glass wall that marks the bathroom area. In her second space she creates a jungle gym of spaces by using her 2 solids to create a lofted space, and a curved bar area. The loft also has a spherical for that emulates, and separates the different activity bubbles. In the third space however, one could argue that it is not necessarily the kit of parts that gives this large space its delicate nature. It is of my opinion that it is the material, and the floating staircase that does this the best. I feel that it is the illusion of the lack of a structural system, and the transparent nature of glass as a material in these 2 elements that make this space work for me.

I feel that the visual presentation on Monday was done well in regard to the spoken portion by the presenter, but lack of varied line weights in drawings made them difficult to read, and t would have been helpful if all three dimensional ideations of the spaces had been complete.

Jenga 1.0: Project Overview

As our first project of the semester, Jenga 1.0 shot us full force into the new semester. We had only three weeks to cultivate ideas, compose and render a series of technical drawings, and create a well-crafted three-dimensional model of each space. In addition to the seemingly impossible time crunch, this project also presented use with numerous other intellectual hurdles over which we had to leap. These include the following: specific sizes and specifications for each space "i.e. interior dimensions, rules for the size, number, and placement of doors and windows;” the utilization of one of three kits of parts in each space (one wall and two columns, two walls and one column, or two "solids"); and finally, probably the most difficult challenge of them all, we were assigned a concept word at random on which we had to base our designs. My word in particular was "Pendulate, " which, for the record, does not even exist according to the Merriam Webster dictionary. In fact, the most information I could find on the meaning of my word was, "to swing as a pendulum." Which, by my standard of intellectualism I found quite obvious. Thus, leaving the majority of the work up to my creativity, rather than basing each space upon a literal, and definable meaning.

For the first, and most narrow space (only 11' wide), I designed based on the idea of mood swings. In this space I used two "pendulating" walls creating a modular design that can be changed in accordance to the clients particular mood. In fact, one of these walls can fold flat against another, allowing for maximum open space if desired.

The second space I designed as a study of the geometry of the arch. This can be seen in the single curvilinear screening wall, and the curvilinear details found throughout that accompany it. In addition, the two columns in this space act as a barrier that forces the client to make a change in the complete opposite direction in order to reach the other side. This also creates arched patterns of movement within the space as well.

The third, and the largest of the three spaces, I designed with the passage of time in mind. To evoke this idea I made use of the two solids. The first I designed as curved wall that leads into a floor indention at its center. This serves as a representation of the implied arch that occurs in the swinging of a pendulum. This wall has shelves in it on which the client can step up and down as they perform their daily tasks. These shelves also very in width to accommodate such activities as sleeping and dining (the bottom one of the two sets). The second of the two solids is a curvilinear shape that is closed at one end. This is to accommodate more private activities such as bathing and dressing. Both of these solids work together in that both their structural bases are stone. The first represents the unchanging nature of the passing of time, and the second makes reference to our first primitive dwellings as human beings (also evoked by the low ceilings). In addition, the two solids together create a variation in heights. Which together with their curvilinear form create another arched pattern.

Jenga 1.0: Space 3

Jenga 1.0: Space 2

Jenga 1.0: Space 1

Designer Bio: Draft 2

During the course of this semester I would like to improve upon the skills I already posses, develop new skills as a designer, improve my ability to communicate my ideas clearly, and to improve upon my understanding of how the principles and elements of design fit within the design process.

As a designer, I believe one of my greatest strengths is my handwork. Art has always been a big part of my life. I began my career as an artist at a very early age. I have been drawing in two dimensions since I was in kindergarten. In addition to drawing, I find that writing is also one of my strengths. Often times I understand my own ideas better if I write them out. I am also a very visually oriented person. This gives me the ability to clearly envision a space before it ever exists, and to see the big picture in terms of space, color, texture, etc.

Although I am skilled in translating my ideas onto paper, I have often had trouble moving these ideas into the digital realm. Computers have always been a challenge to me. Therefore, to over come this difficulty would mean a great deal to me. It also doesn’t help that I am a bit of a perfectionist (which I consider to be both a strength and a flaw). Another thing that I have struggled with in the past is seeing how the principles and elements of design become a conscious part of design. I understand how they work and why, but I wonder how to design with them at a conscious level. My personal use of them has always been subconscious and intuitive, rather than strategic.

Through the exercises we did in class I learned a good deal more about who I am as a designer. I learned that my work is consistently cohesive, I have a good flow of ideas, and I am able to translate concepts and ideas into my designs well. It also made me happy to hear that I have good time management skills. This something I work hard to achieve. Although, what made me most proud was when I discovered I was a Pragmatist on the Change Scale. I’m proud that I help establish balance in the design world. Pragmatists are those who are generally able to see both sides of the issue, and work as mediators between the two opposite sides. It also pleased me to hear that pragmatists usually don’t make the same mistake twice (also something I make a conscious effort to achieve).

Whole> the sum of its parts: space 1

As an extension of my concept word of “pendulate,” I chose to design my first space using the idea of mood swings and the progression of these positive, and/or negative feelings from one extreme to the other over an extended period of time. In order to best embody this idea I chose to make use of swinging or “pedulating” walls that allow the owner to transform the space in order to best suit their particular mood. They can close off one half of the space with the longest wall if the seek solitude, or they can swing the shortest wall all the way against one side of the space in order to achieve the maximum amount of open floor. Not excluding any number of the other numerous possibilities for space arrangement that can be achieved using these two walls.

Whole> the sum of its parts: space 2

I chose to design my second space as a means of exploring the geometry of the arch. This relates to pendulation in that a pendulum, as it swings, creates an implied curve. I wanted to embody this idea in one of my designs as I further explored this seemingly invisible form. I used a variety of curvilinear forms throughout the space to portray my idea. These curvilinear forms can be found in the curvilinear wall that divides the space into five main sections, and the curvilinear details that can be found in the furnishings. In addition, I used the two columns from the kit of parts to create a barrier. This forces the inhabitant to make an arched change of direction to get to the other end of the house.

Whole> the sum of its parts: space 3

In my third space, my concept revolves around the passage of time. Like my second space, this one also makes reference to the implied arch of a swinging pendulum, but the main focus of the project is on the unchanging rhythm as time slowly passes away. In this, both ends of human history are represented in this space. Using the kit of parts that includes the two “solids,” I designed two curvilinear forms that embody these ideas. The first is an arched wall that leads into an embedded curve in the floor, with the wall continuing out the other side. This will be done in a modern, industrial material to represent our current modern age. The second is another curved wall that is enclosed on one end. This form makes reference to our original primordial dwellings, which are part of our rich past as residents of this planet.

A Narrative of Space: No. 1

For the longest and the narrowest of the three of my spaces I tried to move away from the idea of the literal swinging of a pendulum and/or the passage of time by representing yet another immaterial notion, the continuous ebbing and flowing of emotions associated with the human condition. Some examples of the gradual changes may include: fluctuating between feelings of depression to those of joy, and between those of being enraged and having a sense of calm. For the purposes of this space I made use of an emotional gradient that flows between being joyful, calm, or enraged. In addition to emphasizing the continual changing of our emotions, this space is also designed to accommodate the emotions and feelings of the occupant. This is done through the use of a set of two modular walls which pendulate on a hinge. I also intentionally made one of the walls short enough so that it may fold completely flat against the back wall if the occupant so desires.

A Narrative of Space: No. 3

The third of my three spaces that I designed is based on evolution and the representation of the immaterial concept of the passage of time by the physical swinging of the pendulum. In this space I utilized the kit of parts that includes two “solids”. These take the form of a singular curved wall, and a second curved form that is enclosed at one end. The singular curved wall leads into an intention in the floor at its middle, which represents the evolution of the implied arch that occurs with the swinging of a pendulum. The shape of this wall also creates an interactive element in the space as one steps up and down the shelves that are housed in this curvilinear wall. The inhabitant of this space would also have to sway from side to side as the moved around this imposing structure. These small openings lead out into the vast open format of the rest of the space, which is to resemble our current modern age, joining both the past and the present. As for the second solid that is enclosed at one end, this place is to house more private hygiene activities. This second solid also relates to our original primordial cave dwellings in that its height is only seven feet, and that it and the curved wall are made out of a rough cut stone. I also chose this material to represent the solidity, and the unchanging cycle of the passage of time

A Narrative of Space: No. 2

The second of my three spaces utilizes the kit of parts which includes a single wall and two columns. My concept for this space takes into account the geometry of the implied arch a swinging pendulum makes. This can be seen in both the shape of the wall, and the traffic patterns which it takes to move around it. The two columns are placed at the third point of the wall in order to create a barrier that forces the visitor to make the journey back to the central point that is the entry hall.

Arrival, waiting, and departure would occur in the first initial nook on the right as you enter. The main living area is the space immediately ahead. The main dining area is the center-most space, with the main bedroom located in the uppermost left hand corner. the design of this space does not allow for side trips; keeping the owner on track and organized.