gucci-kermit

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...final model..

made up of balsa wood, cardboard and clay with paint

this took a series of trials and errors to try convey the sense of depth in the pools and pond area whilst allowing it to show the flow of the two areas, inside and out.

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...Inspiration...

This is a quick insight into the vision so far, showing greenery being used as both a 'ceiling' and a flooring. The concrete beams are what I would like to have within the bathhouse, as I like the eroded, naturalistic look they have.

sources:

Pinterest - linked in my board

Beams - Jamie North sculptors

cool beans

[gucci-kermit]

...draft...

This is a 1:100 scale drawing depicting the mirroring between the indoor and outdoor spaces, as it wants the space to be both opposites and similar. The outside has a large koi reflecting pond and benches the sit and relax on, adding to the tranquil atmosphere. It also ties back to the original Japanese inspiration that is throughout the design. I also wanted to keep the natural curves and shapes that are going to be used within the bathhouse, so the pond reflects the shape of the centre of the bathhouse where the pools are inset.

To further add to this I want to surround the pond with Japanese plants/trees, this will bring a juxtaposition to the heavy concrete buildings that surround the area, giving it an oasis-like feel. The outer garden would also create a natural screening creating privacy for those using the bathhouse. To continue the flow of greenery I thought it might use moss and have on the ceiling of the bathhouse, this would create a connection between the spaces. Or another idea would be the moss in on the ground the flows in through the windows into the bathhouse creating a 'carpet' around the pools - this would also reduce the hazard of slipping.

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...sketches...

Playing with light and shadow with a limited palette of charcoal and indian ink.

i wanted to capture the effect of cave moodiness and how light is filtered through the large narrow windows.

image 1&2 are to 1:50, image 3 is 1:100

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...Artist Reference...

Bryan Lu - architecture and building studies.

Charcoal / India ink / Pastel

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...Stalactite Experiment...

stalactite update - so it grew, it was meant to make little stalagmite but i forgot to water it. but other than that it is going well, i felt like trying to switch it up so i added in come colour to one side to see what would happen.

its also grown kinda funny as its quite clumpy rather than long strands - most likely cos of the lack of water

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...Reflection of current work...

What is happening?

Who is participating?

Three words: Verb, adjective, noun.

. reflecting

. contradictory

. oasis

~ ~ ~

A reflecting space,

Contradictory design,

A cave oasis.

A reflecting contradiction.

A peaceful oasis, hidden in plain sight. Beauty in the opposing lines, harsh and organic intertwined as one. Hard materials softened into flowing curves that sink into the earth, delving deep into the foundations. Ferns rustle in harmony with the trees surrounding the courtyard, a green haze peeking through narrow archways, illuminated by golden rays. Bottomless black pools hide in the depths as sunlight tiptoes across the water. Shapes mirroring each other yet one light, the other in shadow, Inyo, the perfect balance. A soft murmur of steam before the crescendo as it envelopes bodies, beads of silken pearls slipping through fingertips.

Absolute serenity.

[gucci-kermit]

...Artist models...

Jamie North.

- the intersection of the natural and the human-made

This artist plays with nature and the inorganic form of concrete and how they eventually merge over time.

The first image depicts an installation on Queens Road, Australia. Featuring native plants of Melbourne and surrounding areas.

- For this I really love the light, how it plays on the drama of these sculptures rising up, it also highlights the greenery amongst the concrete.

The next series of pictures are from his exhibition, Terraforms, made up of; Cement, marble waste, limestone, coal ash, organic matter and various Australian plants.

- i liked the aesthetic as it is what I am trying to achieve through my designs. also love the roughness of the concrete/marble against the soft draping of the plant matter. Also, the picture with the dramatic shadows is just perfect to me.

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.. Research ..

basically just a bunch of links that ive been looking at - cool beans

https://thebesttravelplaces.com/postojna-cave/

- a cool as cave in Slovenia, that also has a castle thats old as well.

https://www.banasstones.com/interesting-facts/309-interesting-facts-sandstone/

- material research

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karst

- cave stuff research

https://www.waimangu.co.nz/history/pink-and-white-terraces

- the pink and white terraces, i really like the look of the curves falling into each other, basically for aesthetic research.

https://www.gns.cri.nz/Home/Learning/Science-Topics/Landforms/Mysterious-Caves

https://www.geotrips.org.nz/trip.html?id=609

https://teara.govt.nz/en/caving/page-1

https://www.britannica.com/science/stalactite

https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/facts/stalactite.html

- stalactites, lots of stalactites

https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/publications/naturally-uncommon-ecosystems/subterranean-or-semi-subterranean/cave-entrances/

https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/publications/plant-lists/plant-lists-by-region/maitai-caves-cave/

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/moss/how-to-grow-moss-with-yogurt.htm

https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Attractions-g294232-Activities-c57-t54-Japan.html

- lots of plants, i really want to add in plants into the cave bath house and trynna find some japanese plants to link back to the japanese inspiration.

yea thats just a little taster of the research done so far :)

[gucci-kermit]

...current aesthetic..

I am still focusing on the organic shapes with the spaces, and thinking about the ceiling, maybe curving it to enhance the cave-like feel.

but thats all thats going through my brain at the moment

[gucci-kermit]

..building model..

So I made a 1:100 scale model of the section of the building I am planning to use.

Then I muddled around with the floor design trying to figure out how to excavate the flooring and trying to get the organic look.

Also figuring out the lighting in the space, I really like the dramatic look of the light versus shadows.

- note: i havent added in the columns yet

Construction of the model, I used balsa wood for the walls and then the floor is made up of cardboard covered in a layer of clay over top and painted white.

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..concepts..

Currently thinking up concepts of shapes, trynna keep it all organic and non structured as possible. Also preferring the look of smaller individual pools, as it is less intimidating and also more aesthetically pleasing within the narrow space - does mean less people can use the pools at a time though.

Also figuring out the relationship between the interior and exterior spaces as i would like to have koi ponds outside as they would do well in the semi-shaded area, but also incorporate them indoors somehow.

the second pic also features my random thought process :)

- side note the first pic shows how i want the wall configuration to be, knocking out some entrances so the flow of people is slightly smoother throughout the space.

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mini model series..

The fourth model - made a while ago incorporating the ideas of the motion of a wave and swirling up across the shore

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Perspective Drawings

..playing with light..

Testing out perspective drawing and how the light would filter through the windows from the interior or exterior.

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the Monday mood...

Materials I am vibing with currently: Also the inspiration of concept ideas

Concrete - Since I like the brutalist aesthetic it makes sense to use concrete within the bathhouse so I am planning to fill majority of it with concrete, I really like the look of harsh concrete that has been shaped into contradictory curves of the hard material. I also enjoy the colour of concrete especially the ones with blue watercolour-like smudges as it adds depth into the space whilst being flat.

also bonus points cos it retains heat, and this makes it more pleasant to walk on

Terrazzo granite would be fun to use as a feature material, ie on the edges of pools or steps, as it comes in many colours, I prefer the ones with a chunkier fleck through it, and the warmer tones to contrast against the cool concrete.

wood is another key element I want to use to soften the whole concrete interior - I will also use concrete on the outside as well - I like wood as it simple yet adds texture. I love the example above of the wood emerging out of the wall to create the seating.

mirrors, just love them as they help expand the space without taking up too much space and without detracting from the main features. It also creates the illusion of space if used in certain lights/angles/walls

Plants will also feature in the space as they will help break it up and soften the whole aesthetic - i think I'm gonna focus on japanese plantings to tie the whole design back into the japanese root inspiration.

So basically the concept im dreaming up about is a smoothly curved bathhouse, out of concrete that is contradicted with rough shapes of stalactites/stalagmites around the pools that also create privacy from the neighbouring pools. As well as cave-like feel, with the floors and pools set down into the ground and moody shadowy light filtering through thin windows set above.

[gucci-kermit]

CATCH-UP pt 2

... doodles from visiting the Dadley Building, stalactites/stalagmites and random shape building ...

[gucci-kermit]

SUNDAY // 25.07

CATCH-UP DAY pt 1 - ft: First memory of water, First impression of Dadley Building & Statement of intent (ish)

My first memory of water; a blue shell tub in summer

It would be brilliant summers day when my Gran would drag out the blue shell pool on the lawn and dust off the cobwebs from winter. I would run around gathering my toys to play with as the hose slowly filled up the tub. I remember sitting in that pool, imagination going wild as I played mermaids or had tea with the Queen (or both at the same time). The water more often ended up outside the pool, spreading across the parched lawn by the end of the afternoon.

But I remember that water was the best thing in the world, refreshing and crisp like a popsicle, slowly melting in the summer's heat.

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First look at the Dadley Building:

My first impression of the Dadley Building was that it looked as if it had risen out the ground, as the rough scoria bricks looked out of place amongst the concrete building that towered around. This made me think instantly of the caves that are dotted around New Zealand, like the glow worm caves, and the other amazing caves around the world. This then leads to my first imagining of the place as we were unable to enter the space at the time, where I pictured a cave-like space with large stalactite/stalagmite formations within the space and large rough round pools in the centre.

From this, I gathered a rough plan of what I am proposing to design:

- I am going to design a space modelled after a natural cave yet mixed with modern minimalistic architecture. I want this space to feel secluded and peaceful with organic forms creating the shape of the space, featuring natural forms such as stalactites/stalagmites and curved shelves.