screen options

Closed

Open

Random (this is what it would typically look like since not everyone will be in sync with their windows)

operable screen update

lately I've really been struggling with the design of my mid rise structure.  I am very confident with the overall form and the concepts I am using but I want to go really into depth with my operable screen system and make that the most important part of my project (because it basically already is).  with that in mind, I've been testing out many different schemes for my operable screens and after many headaches and sketches I've come full circle back to my original design of the larger panels that slide as one piece.  within this idea I thought of punching out a window within the screen which, when lined up with the unit's window, will allow light and air into the unit.

The screens directly in front are the ones I am going with.  To the right are some designs that
I feel will not have as big an impact on the concept of this "moving skin" as much as the sliding screens will.

by placing this small punch out into the base of the screen, it will allow light to still enter the space while protecting from direct sun rays.  incorporating operable windows within the unit, a person could open a small opening and allow light and air to enter the space without being bombarded with direct light.  I think this is the idea I am going to develop further and I am actually pretty excited about this one.  it allows me to articulate the windows of the building as well as design the operable screens as well.  now, my building will take a very simple and rational form, and utilize small details within to make it a more dynamic design.  stay tuned for progress!

This perforated material will still allow some sunlight to enter but greatly reduce thermal heat gain.
It will be affective during the day to block sunlight but still allow enough natural light to enter the unit
so that no artificial lighting is required throughout the day.

Similar to this project, by Morphosis Architects, the perforated screens will allow light
to shine through the screens from inside the units.  This will add a cool affect during the nighttime. 

pool terrace

Preliminary design for pool roof terrace has a decent sized swimming pool on the top level
and bbq's and tables/chairs on the lower level.

midterm presentation

today is my midterm presentation and I am really excited to get some feedback on all of the work I have been doing.  one thing I am extremely excited about is how well my renderings turned out.  this is the first time I've put them in an "actual" environment photo rather than a made up place from Sketchup.  the final presentation will entail even better drawings I presume and that is something that I am really looking forward to doing.

This is looking down 8th street.

This is looking up 8th street.

I think my board did a solid job of showcasing my thought process throughout the design thus far.

Materials: museum board, foam core, and construction paper

operable windows diagram

I through this diagram together last night.  it is intended to simply show the importance that the operable screens will place on the user and his or her environment.  a user can open the screens to any combination his or she desires in order to let in the right amount of air and light.  when closed, the user will obtain more privacy as well as protection against sun glare and wind.

The screens will slide on predetermined (and soon to be well thought out) tracks.

This control of the screens lets the user give back to the outside rather than always
take from it.  These screens will be a moving skin for the building and represent much more
than just a way to enclose a building.

laser cutter

today, I used the amazing laser cutter for the first time.  for all of you that don't know what I am talking about, it is a machine that takes your flat two dimensional drawing and laser cuts into a material.  this makes it so I no longer have to slave away with an exacto blade anymore.  this cutter will not only save me tons of time, but it will improve the quality of my process and final models.

It makes the model almost like a puzzle.  I draw out all of the pieces I need and
it precisely cuts them out.  Each of these pages took 4 minutes to cut.

moving screens

design is such an up and down process.  one minute I am loving my ideas, the next minute Im wanting to start all over.  that was pretty much all of yesterday for me as I had (what I thought were) good ideas and ultimately wanted to scratch all of them.  however, this morning while studying for today's midterm in env. science II, I came up with a solid idea that I feel can really turn into something that I have been looking for.

one thing I have really been trying to accomplish is the ability for each user to control the passive systems of his or her unit.  this newest idea couples both the control of passive heating and cooling as well as light control.  each unit is equipped with a movable exterior screen that can control the amount of light that is allowed to enter the space.  in turn, it is the choice of each unit that gives the building its overall texture.  with this idea, the building can symbolize the user's control as well as a sustainable system that is very manageable. 

Each screen might either be blue in order to go with the color scheme I had originally chosen
or it might evolve into something else.  Each screen is on a moving track that will make it easy
for each user to push a button and that will control the opening for light to enter.  Each screen
would be a good opportunity to use recycled materials as well.

project taking form

this weekend has proven to be a very productive one for me with my project design.  I rationalized ground, second level, and typical floor plans and started to really shape the exterior form of the building.  all of the floor plans function well and have great potential to improve, which is very exciting for the design.  I have realized that doing the floor plans first enables me to understand how the building will FUNCTION for an occupant, and in turn that affects the overall form.  this understanding is something I have always struggled with because I try to create a beautiful form from the onset and apply floor plans afterwards.  doing the opposite and establishing functioning floor plans first will allow the building to take a natural form; a form that is successful not only aesthetically but practically.  this is the kind of architecture I want to create.

with all of this in mind, I started doing research on sustainable practices, curtain walls, material uses, and other topics.  this research has given me a better understanding of how I want my building to work.  ultimately I want to accomplish these main goals:

-  Use materials local to San Diego
-  Curtain wall system is sophisticated and has multiple functions
-  Green and Active rooftops
-  Colors of facade are affected by sun's orientation
-  Form reflects San Diego culture and CELEBRATES the area
   *  this building should be representative of San Diego
-  Sustainable systems; passive and active

below are the floor plans I have created as well as some of the initial building articulation:

Ground floor plan
*  Everything at this level is public

Second level floor plan
*  These amenities will be offered only to residents

Typical floor plan of unit layout
*  Variety of options would entice developers

Subtle curves are dramatic with the scale of the project

Changes start to show the building's skin "peeling" away

Active roofs will reduce heat island affect, sun reflectivity, and utilize flat roof space

The tower flows with the commercial floors below, which is an important aspect to the project

the colors of the project go back to the initial concept I had of the sail cutting through the blue ocean.  white is great for albedo (sun reflectivity = less heat gain) and also has a great contrast with the blue glass of the building and the blue skies that occur daily in San Diego.  Im initially thinking that the white walls will be made of white concrete.  however, I will have to play with that idea because not all of these white walls will be structural making the use of heavy concrete unnecessary.

I am going to continue to develop this idea and concept and hopefully take it to a higher level of sophistication.   the ultimate goal is to have, not only a beautiful structure, but an innovative design with intricate details that will attract spectators at a smaller scale than just the overall building form.

one aspect that I was wanting to incorporate with the building was the use of wood.  more specifically, after some research, I was wanting to use western red cedar because of its natural beauty, workability, and potential for interior finishes.  if I continue to work mainly with white and blue colors I will not see the ability to use wood.  however, there is still a potential to use the wood solely in the interiors and exclude it from the exterior.

I want to get some feedback about this progress I have made and from that point I will make the necessary changes to start truly detailing my building.  going into the 5th week, I will have about 1 1/2 weeks to continue the design before I prepare for the midterm presentation.  right now, I feel like I am at a very strong point in my design and am extremely excited to see how much more I will progress.

recycled shelf

This was the old shelf.  Although it had spaces for small items, its bulkiness

limited the amount of desk space and hardly allowed for any under-the-shelf

space to be utilized.  

over the past few years I have consumed a lot of coffee...to say the least.  this resulted in me accumulating a lot of empty coffee cans.  instead of throwing them out I thought it would be a cool idea to recycle them into a shelf.  a newer shelf was definitely needed because the old one I built took up too much desk space.  this new shelf is a lot more space friendly and allows me to utilize my desk better.

This was scrap wood from my garage and serves
as the main shelf surface.

A couple of these coffee containers serve as vertical supports.

This new design allows for under-the-shelf space.

The overall design is slim and very simple.  I think it  came out pretty well and
am excited because it has the capabilities to free up a lot of desk space.