Introduction
Architecture is the planning, designing, and construction of buildings and other structures. It includes the planning of both the aesthetic and functional aspects of a building, and the fusion of the two into well rounded final products that are functional and aesthetically interesting. This is what makes it difficult as it is a complex job to balance these aspects while furthering both to push boundaries. It is also one of few arts that have to factor in the cost of creating the final product, adding another layer of complexity for an architect to juggle. All these aspects can make it difficult to understand, leaving aesthetics abandoned by many for the sake of difficulty or constraints.
Symmetry
Eiffel Tower - Gustave Eiffel (1889)
(left)https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Eiffel+Tower/
(right)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiffel_Tower
(right)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiffel_Tower
The Eiffel Tower was constructed to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution and to demonstrate France's industrial prowess to the world, as thus, it has a very functional, yet impressive for the sake of impressive design. It is symmetrical in order to be strong and stand up as tall as it is, and it is also symmetrical to look good in order to show off their high level of design capability.
History.com staff. 2011. EIFFEL TOWER. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.history.com/topics/eiffel-tower. [Accessed 8 October 2016].
History.com staff. 2011. EIFFEL TOWER. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.history.com/topics/eiffel-tower. [Accessed 8 October 2016].
Asymmetry
Sydney Opera House - Jørn Utzon (1973)
(left)http://www.weekendnotes.com/sydney-opera-house-our-house-open-day/
(right)https://www.flickr.com/photos/iann2
(right)https://www.flickr.com/photos/iann2
The Sydney Opera House was designed to house orchestras and operas, and is situated at the harbour, so Jørn Utzon designed it to resemble waves, which is why it is asymmetrical, as waves have high, dense fronts crashing, with a swell of water behind, so the asymmetrical design gives it the random look just like waves, which helps it suit its environment and purpose all at once.
Sydney Opera House. 2016. SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE - THE ARCHITECT. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/About/The_Architect.aspx. [Accessed 9 October 2016].
Sydney Opera House. 2016. SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE - THE ARCHITECT. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/About/The_Architect.aspx. [Accessed 9 October 2016].
Proportion
Laon Cathedral - Unnamed (1215) House of Na (2010)
The House of Na is a small home deigned for a young couple in Tokyo, designed to suit its dense urban environment with varied proportions, suiting the intended uses and no more. This leads to some large rooms with high ceilings, some small rooms with low ceilings, and some small rooms with high ceilings. This adds visual interest while using the space to its fullest in order to suit its environment.
On the other end of the scale is the Laon Cathedral, which is a colossal building with purposefully grand proportions, with large shapes at ground, dwarfing people, and progressively smaller proportions as they get higher. This smooth transition of proportions works to exaggerate the scale of the building, forming a sort of optical illusion to make it appear taller. This grand appearance was designed to put people in awe as they enter the splendour of God’s special place, dwarfing the churchgoers.
Laon Cathedral - Laon, France. 2016. Laon Cathedral - Laon, France. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/laon-cathedral. [Accessed 10 October 2016].
Dezeen. 2016. House NA by Sou Fujimoto Architects | Dezeen. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.dezeen.com/2012/05/08/house-na-by-sou-fujimoto-architects/. [Accessed 10 October 2016].
On the other end of the scale is the Laon Cathedral, which is a colossal building with purposefully grand proportions, with large shapes at ground, dwarfing people, and progressively smaller proportions as they get higher. This smooth transition of proportions works to exaggerate the scale of the building, forming a sort of optical illusion to make it appear taller. This grand appearance was designed to put people in awe as they enter the splendour of God’s special place, dwarfing the churchgoers.
Laon Cathedral - Laon, France. 2016. Laon Cathedral - Laon, France. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/laon-cathedral. [Accessed 10 October 2016].
Dezeen. 2016. House NA by Sou Fujimoto Architects | Dezeen. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.dezeen.com/2012/05/08/house-na-by-sou-fujimoto-architects/. [Accessed 10 October 2016].
Scale
Burj Khalifa - Owings & Merill (2004) Rolling Cubes - Shane Hendriks (2008)
These two buildings provide a stark contrast with the Rolling Cubes at human scale as it is designed as a house for a single family. It has low, angled cubes that you can see over, making it look smaller, while still towering over people with its suspended, tilted cubes angling over you.
However compared to the Burj Khalifa, an 830m tall behemoth, t is nothing, as the Burj Khalifa features a large ground floor, already imposing a large size, to be continued with a seemingly endless tower upwards, with a petering radius which helps it look taller through optical illusion.
Design | Burj Khalifa. 2016. Design | Burj Khalifa. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.burjkhalifa.ae/en/the-tower/design.aspx. [Accessed 15 October 2016].
designplace. 2016. Rolling Cubes, SA - Terracade Tile System | designplace. [ONLINE] Available at: http://designplace.com.au/project-list/rolling-cubes/. [Accessed 15 October 2016].
However compared to the Burj Khalifa, an 830m tall behemoth, t is nothing, as the Burj Khalifa features a large ground floor, already imposing a large size, to be continued with a seemingly endless tower upwards, with a petering radius which helps it look taller through optical illusion.
Design | Burj Khalifa. 2016. Design | Burj Khalifa. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.burjkhalifa.ae/en/the-tower/design.aspx. [Accessed 15 October 2016].
designplace. 2016. Rolling Cubes, SA - Terracade Tile System | designplace. [ONLINE] Available at: http://designplace.com.au/project-list/rolling-cubes/. [Accessed 15 October 2016].
Skin
Michael K Chen (2016)
http://www.architectmagazine.com/awards/r-d-awards/citation-nanobiome-building-skin_o
http://www.architectmagazine.com/awards/r-d-awards/citation-nanobiome-building-skin_o
The skin of this nanobiomed building lets it blend in with nature by incorporating a coarse, jagged, rocky skin for the wall, with plant beds built in, blurring the boundary between nature and building even further. The random angles on the bricks in the wall make it look natural and without order much like rocks, while retaining an artificial, black colour as to look modern, and to not entirely be nature, but instead create its own hybrid look.
Analysis
Tate Modern - Herzog & De Meuron (2000)
(left)http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/place/344410-tate-modern
(right)https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/05/the-switch-house-tate-modern-herzog-and-de-meuron-iwan-baan_dezeen_1568_0.jpg
(left)http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/place/344410-tate-modern
(right)https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/05/the-switch-house-tate-modern-herzog-and-de-meuron-iwan-baan_dezeen_1568_0.jpg
Introduction
The Tate Modern building was commissioned in 1994, as the Tate Trustees wanted to build a separate building for modern and contemporary art in London. Swiss architects Herzog & De Meuron were tasked with converting the former Bankside Power Station into a gallery, and to carry over its original character.
First impressions
The first thing that strikes a guest about this building is the huge scale, with what looks like single story design actually being seven stories high, and angled lines of the south building which make it seem taller, and the 99m tall chimney which towers over all guests.
Context
The building is riverside, with a windowed river facing wall, and the feature chimney tower. The other side is packed with modern multilevel buildings all around, with the barrier bridged by the new south building that inherits the old square brick style from the main building, but incorporates modern design and windows to match the modern surrounds.
Function
The chimney tower along with its search light at night, serves to point out the location to everyone around, attracting visitors and tourists, while the large multilevel main building provides ample space in the middle of a crowded city for a multitude of art to be displayed inside.
Inspiration
The main inspiration behind the building was the source material of the power station, of which they decided to keep many aspects of its character, while also modernising it for public display. They also carried the theme of ‘power’ from its power station roots with the use of flashy exterior lighting at night to energise the old building in the most literal sense.
Tate. 2016. Tate Modern | Tate. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern. [Accessed 16 October 2016].
The Tate Modern building was commissioned in 1994, as the Tate Trustees wanted to build a separate building for modern and contemporary art in London. Swiss architects Herzog & De Meuron were tasked with converting the former Bankside Power Station into a gallery, and to carry over its original character.
First impressions
The first thing that strikes a guest about this building is the huge scale, with what looks like single story design actually being seven stories high, and angled lines of the south building which make it seem taller, and the 99m tall chimney which towers over all guests.
Context
The building is riverside, with a windowed river facing wall, and the feature chimney tower. The other side is packed with modern multilevel buildings all around, with the barrier bridged by the new south building that inherits the old square brick style from the main building, but incorporates modern design and windows to match the modern surrounds.
Function
The chimney tower along with its search light at night, serves to point out the location to everyone around, attracting visitors and tourists, while the large multilevel main building provides ample space in the middle of a crowded city for a multitude of art to be displayed inside.
Inspiration
The main inspiration behind the building was the source material of the power station, of which they decided to keep many aspects of its character, while also modernising it for public display. They also carried the theme of ‘power’ from its power station roots with the use of flashy exterior lighting at night to energise the old building in the most literal sense.
Tate. 2016. Tate Modern | Tate. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern. [Accessed 16 October 2016].
Site Analysis
(image from Google maps)
The site is inside Trinity College on Alexander Ave, Evanston South SA 5116, next to Starplex, with the Senior School North of it, the Junior School East of it, a creek South-West of it, and beyond that, the Middle School. It is adjacent to the Starplex/Senior School carpark, and receives foot traffic from the surrounding schools. The site has good high-traffic, wheelchair accessible pre-existing footpaths leading to all schools, and prime location for construction of a path to the carpark. However, the carpark is already near capacity, but could be extended into the site if desired. Most current traffic flows around the perimeter of the site, rendering disturbance a non-issue for planning. The site has paths leading to it from Trinity College Senior, Trinity College North, and from Trinity College South and Starplex, giving it ample accessibility, however the path from Trinity College South is a bit long and out of the way for most students.
The creek South-West to it is a large, open grassed area and has large gumtrees making for a non-obstructing, picturesque view. The site receives this picturesque view from the North-Western side all the way to the Southern side, giving more than 90 degrees of view, and low buildings all around, giving it an unobstructed 360-degree view if built above a single storey. The site was previously home to log classrooms that were among the first buildings constructed in the school, but its current surroundings are modern, purely functional concrete classrooms in good condition, and there is no heritage listing in the area. The current surface on the site is grey paved brick, with grass surrounding it, and the building to its South is paved with large cream bricks, with the building to the North of it is paved with a similar surface, but also features glass walls and a load bearing feature stone wall painted blue. The site is flat making it great for construction, with a smoothed creek South-West of it, and the building East if it is slightly higher than the site, but only a single storey, and the building to its North is slightly below the site, and also only raised a single storey above that level.
The site receives little shade from its surroundings, giving it full access to sunlight, meaning that it will have to provide its own shade where desired, but having full control of where the shade is. The site currently has no rain drainage problems, with its breathable surface and large area of roof, collecting water, however, with the removal of said roof, and or resurfacing may cause issues with drainage as the site is so large and flat. The area is in urbanised plains, with a hill to its East, so wind is not extreme in the location, but can pick up at times as it is unprotected. Being positioned next to the Junior school and Middle school means that there is heavy noise pollution during recess and lunch, and medium noise pollution during lessons, and next to none after 4:00pm. The area is rural, so there is little to no air pollution, especially helped by the low local population, but the school draws in a lot of traffic, but not enough for their fumes to be problematic.
The site is inside Trinity College on Alexander Ave, Evanston South SA 5116, next to Starplex, with the Senior School North of it, the Junior School East of it, a creek South-West of it, and beyond that, the Middle School. It is adjacent to the Starplex/Senior School carpark, and receives foot traffic from the surrounding schools. The site has good high-traffic, wheelchair accessible pre-existing footpaths leading to all schools, and prime location for construction of a path to the carpark. However, the carpark is already near capacity, but could be extended into the site if desired. Most current traffic flows around the perimeter of the site, rendering disturbance a non-issue for planning. The site has paths leading to it from Trinity College Senior, Trinity College North, and from Trinity College South and Starplex, giving it ample accessibility, however the path from Trinity College South is a bit long and out of the way for most students.
The creek South-West to it is a large, open grassed area and has large gumtrees making for a non-obstructing, picturesque view. The site receives this picturesque view from the North-Western side all the way to the Southern side, giving more than 90 degrees of view, and low buildings all around, giving it an unobstructed 360-degree view if built above a single storey. The site was previously home to log classrooms that were among the first buildings constructed in the school, but its current surroundings are modern, purely functional concrete classrooms in good condition, and there is no heritage listing in the area. The current surface on the site is grey paved brick, with grass surrounding it, and the building to its South is paved with large cream bricks, with the building to the North of it is paved with a similar surface, but also features glass walls and a load bearing feature stone wall painted blue. The site is flat making it great for construction, with a smoothed creek South-West of it, and the building East if it is slightly higher than the site, but only a single storey, and the building to its North is slightly below the site, and also only raised a single storey above that level.
The site receives little shade from its surroundings, giving it full access to sunlight, meaning that it will have to provide its own shade where desired, but having full control of where the shade is. The site currently has no rain drainage problems, with its breathable surface and large area of roof, collecting water, however, with the removal of said roof, and or resurfacing may cause issues with drainage as the site is so large and flat. The area is in urbanised plains, with a hill to its East, so wind is not extreme in the location, but can pick up at times as it is unprotected. Being positioned next to the Junior school and Middle school means that there is heavy noise pollution during recess and lunch, and medium noise pollution during lessons, and next to none after 4:00pm. The area is rural, so there is little to no air pollution, especially helped by the low local population, but the school draws in a lot of traffic, but not enough for their fumes to be problematic.
Shape Studies
1
I designed this shape to tower over people with the overhanging part, and to have a dome-like window on the other side, however the overall design is a bit tame, lacking any striking features.
2
I don’t quite know what I was on when I came up with this design, but I started with the shape of a humanoid, and adapted it to building form, then changed the pose to be more visually interesting while maintaining maximum practicality as a building by having only flat floors. The design is interesting but lacks much depth, relying on sheer shock value to impress guests.
3
This building was partially inspired by the rolling cubes, but I veered off of that path by trying to make it give an imposing look to guests with walls angled down at them. I chose the two overlapping rectangles with one going into the ground and one into the sky for a second level, to give the building some height and make it somewhat uniform throughout the building. This design works, as it has enough variety and features, so I will take it to the modelling phase.
4
This building was designed to be intimidating and perplexing, to make the guest feel surreal with the angled walls of the centre building leaning over the guest to intimidate them, and the side towers that narrow as they rise, to make it seem as if they are tower over the guest, and the floating third tower to intimidate guests underneath it and make them fell as if it could crush them. The contrast of the out-leaning and in-leaning buildings with the grounding of the bridges perplexes the guest as one building loos as if it were much taller than the other, with the bridge between them showing them that that is not the case. This effect works well, and it matches ‘The Space’ logo’s theme of impossible shapes perfectly, with this perplexing effect, so I am taking this to the modelling stage.
5
This shape is designed to seem like an impossible structure, that it should not be standing, with the sharp angle, and the shifted middle floor, with a gap where building should be, and building floating in the air. This created both extremely sharp, and extremely shallow angles, giving diversity to the shape. Overall however, the shape is dull and uninteresting, mostly consisting of a rectangular prism.
6
This design uses overlapping floors of equal size, overhanging to provide interesting variety, with balconies, shaded areas, and floating floors, despite being tightly packaged, making the best use of the area possible. This design is interesting and practical, so I will take it to the modelling phase.
I designed this shape to tower over people with the overhanging part, and to have a dome-like window on the other side, however the overall design is a bit tame, lacking any striking features.
2
I don’t quite know what I was on when I came up with this design, but I started with the shape of a humanoid, and adapted it to building form, then changed the pose to be more visually interesting while maintaining maximum practicality as a building by having only flat floors. The design is interesting but lacks much depth, relying on sheer shock value to impress guests.
3
This building was partially inspired by the rolling cubes, but I veered off of that path by trying to make it give an imposing look to guests with walls angled down at them. I chose the two overlapping rectangles with one going into the ground and one into the sky for a second level, to give the building some height and make it somewhat uniform throughout the building. This design works, as it has enough variety and features, so I will take it to the modelling phase.
4
This building was designed to be intimidating and perplexing, to make the guest feel surreal with the angled walls of the centre building leaning over the guest to intimidate them, and the side towers that narrow as they rise, to make it seem as if they are tower over the guest, and the floating third tower to intimidate guests underneath it and make them fell as if it could crush them. The contrast of the out-leaning and in-leaning buildings with the grounding of the bridges perplexes the guest as one building loos as if it were much taller than the other, with the bridge between them showing them that that is not the case. This effect works well, and it matches ‘The Space’ logo’s theme of impossible shapes perfectly, with this perplexing effect, so I am taking this to the modelling stage.
5
This shape is designed to seem like an impossible structure, that it should not be standing, with the sharp angle, and the shifted middle floor, with a gap where building should be, and building floating in the air. This created both extremely sharp, and extremely shallow angles, giving diversity to the shape. Overall however, the shape is dull and uninteresting, mostly consisting of a rectangular prism.
6
This design uses overlapping floors of equal size, overhanging to provide interesting variety, with balconies, shaded areas, and floating floors, despite being tightly packaged, making the best use of the area possible. This design is interesting and practical, so I will take it to the modelling phase.
Model Making
Design 3
This polystyrene model works well with angular walls imposing on guests, and the overlapping of the rectangular prisms makes the design more dynamic, and adds visual variety with the angles introduced. The profile of the building was reworked to resemble Australia, which is a nice touch, and makes thematic sense, as Trinity is the largest school in Australia, making it the school capital of Australia, and this building would be a landmark to represent that. This model improves on the shape study in aesthetics, however the building is nowhere near as long, so it wouldn't fit the area as well, and the interior's practicality may suffer which was already lacking.
Design 4
This Sketchup model successfully takes the design into the third dimension, and adds textures to the building. The horizontal wood walls resemble the walls of its predecessor, maintaining a sense of familiarity while fitting in with the other classes, and the trees, and maintaining its roots. It also features a lot of glass to let in natural light, and to take advantage of the height of the building and its prime location to look out over the creek, and the boundary of all the schools, while keeping wood walls in key areas to stop too much sun from entering. The three main buildings of the model also represent 'Trinity' well, as there are three of them including a large one (the father), a small one (the son), and a floating one (the holy spirit), added to the three sorts of arts to be practised inside (visual, music, and performance), and the three bridges, all forming one building with one entrance. This model looks really good, and has good, deep connections with 'Trinity', making it a perfect fit for the project brief.
Design 6
This Lego model took many liberties, mostly due to the medium, either by being limited, or by having alternatives in front of me that can be tested quickly. With this model, I decided to get rid of the random overlapping of the floors, instead alternating between in and out, and in the Z axis, a slant. I also added a rooftop garden area, and support pillars on the rear, which add visual interest, and completely changes the look of the back, making it look official with the pillars, and intimidating with the slant. The slanted front makes it look like a modern design centre, as if out of silicon valley. This model makes many significant improvements to the design, while keeping the essence of the original plan intact.
Presentation Board
Conclusion
Before this investigation I hadn’t delved into architecture before, besides basic interiors with Lego, so during this investigation I learnt a lot about it. From terminology to techniques, I learnt the basics of architecture, and now have a reasonable understanding of it. I found that the main design concepts behind architecture are different to other visual art due to the scale, required functionality, and the way that it is part of our everyday lives. I also found out just how important its context is, with the requirement for extensive site planning to make sure the building fits its surroundings physically, visually and practically to make it blend into its environment, and make its use functional. Due to this, I think that architecture is a truly unique artform.
Before this investigation I hadn’t delved into architecture before, besides basic interiors with Lego, so during this investigation I learnt a lot about it. From terminology to techniques, I learnt the basics of architecture, and now have a reasonable understanding of it. I found that the main design concepts behind architecture are different to other visual art due to the scale, required functionality, and the way that it is part of our everyday lives. I also found out just how important its context is, with the requirement for extensive site planning to make sure the building fits its surroundings physically, visually and practically to make it blend into its environment, and make its use functional. Due to this, I think that architecture is a truly unique artform.
Bibliography
History.com staff. 2011. EIFFEL TOWER. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.history.com/topics/eiffel-tower. [Accessed 8 October 2016].
Administrator. 2016. The History and the Construction of the Tower for the 1889 Exposition Universelle. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.toureiffel.paris/en/everything-about-the-tower/themed-files/69.html. [Accessed 16 November 2016].
Sydney Opera House. 2016. SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE - THE ARCHITECT. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/About/The_Architect.aspx. [Accessed 9 October 2016].
Sydney Opera House | australia.gov.au. 2016. Sydney Opera House | australia.gov.au. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/sydney-opera-house. [Accessed 16 November 2016].
Laon Cathedral - Laon, France. 2016. Laon Cathedral - Laon, France. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/laon-cathedral. [Accessed 10 October 2016].
Dezeen. 2016. House NA by Sou Fujimoto Architects | Dezeen. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.dezeen.com/2012/05/08/house-na-by-sou-fujimoto-architects/. [Accessed 10 October 2016].
Design | Burj Khalifa. 2016. Design | Burj Khalifa. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.burjkhalifa.ae/en/the-tower/design.aspx. [Accessed 15 October 2016].
designplace. 2016. Rolling Cubes, SA - Terracade Tile System | designplace. [ONLINE] Available at: http://designplace.com.au/project-list/rolling-cubes/. [Accessed 15 October 2016].
Tate. 2016. Tate Modern | Tate. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern. [Accessed 16 October 2016].
ArchDaily. 2016. AD Classics: The Tate Modern / Herzog & de Meuron | ArchDaily . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/429700/ad-classics-the-tate-modern-herzog-and-de-meuron. [Accessed 16 November 2016].
Administrator. 2016. The History and the Construction of the Tower for the 1889 Exposition Universelle. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.toureiffel.paris/en/everything-about-the-tower/themed-files/69.html. [Accessed 16 November 2016].
Sydney Opera House. 2016. SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE - THE ARCHITECT. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/About/The_Architect.aspx. [Accessed 9 October 2016].
Sydney Opera House | australia.gov.au. 2016. Sydney Opera House | australia.gov.au. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/sydney-opera-house. [Accessed 16 November 2016].
Laon Cathedral - Laon, France. 2016. Laon Cathedral - Laon, France. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/laon-cathedral. [Accessed 10 October 2016].
Dezeen. 2016. House NA by Sou Fujimoto Architects | Dezeen. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.dezeen.com/2012/05/08/house-na-by-sou-fujimoto-architects/. [Accessed 10 October 2016].
Design | Burj Khalifa. 2016. Design | Burj Khalifa. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.burjkhalifa.ae/en/the-tower/design.aspx. [Accessed 15 October 2016].
designplace. 2016. Rolling Cubes, SA - Terracade Tile System | designplace. [ONLINE] Available at: http://designplace.com.au/project-list/rolling-cubes/. [Accessed 15 October 2016].
Tate. 2016. Tate Modern | Tate. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern. [Accessed 16 October 2016].
ArchDaily. 2016. AD Classics: The Tate Modern / Herzog & de Meuron | ArchDaily . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/429700/ad-classics-the-tate-modern-herzog-and-de-meuron. [Accessed 16 November 2016].