kwarcs-blog

[kwarcs-blog]

Next Steps

I have to asmit that I have thoroughly enjoyed this course. When you are in it doing the work the thing you want most in the world is to quit. Then as soon as you work during the summer you cant wait to get back. Vicious circle!

There have been many experiences through uni life and specifically the course. The trips to other countries such as amsterdam and granada were not only incredibly interesting for the architectural splendour, but also a learning curve regarding culture.

One thing I will miss is the social aspect of uni life. You do feel at home in the studio, and there are so many friends among the colleagues.

One question that I keep asking myself and keep changing my answer is that of post graduate. I ask an architect if there are other ways of achieving part 3 without going through university and they pursuade me to continue. Then I go through a stressfull stage and cant wait to leave.

Therefore, I feel the best decision would be to take a couple of years out. I intend to visit North Africa, with intention of volunteering with building shelters or schools. At that point I can decide if I want to continue with post graduate or try for architectural assistant places and get as far as I can through that route.

[kwarcs-blog]

Third Year Skills

During this year it has been more improving existing skills, rather than learning new ones. There are a few hints and tips I have gained for photoshop,autocad,rhino and others. Also learnt how to get software without purchasing the liscense. Always beneficial!

On reflection, I feel the year so far has gone relatively well. My skills have been refined during this last semester, although dissertation wasnt the best result, not that I wasnt expecting it. I have always said I am not an essay writer and I have stuck to my guns!

Looking back on what I wanted to improve on, I can gladly say I now have a hardrive!! It came just at the right time as shortly after my laptop crashed and lost some work. Thankfully hardrive was there to the rescue! Flask and lunchbox have been invested, and a kettle for the studio (hidden behind the desk as we cant be bothered to go and get it pat tested).

One skill I do feel I have developed is that of considering and developing a design narrative. I seemed to always get too in dpeth with narrative and end up confusing myself. This year I feel my narrative in both projects are much stronger.

I am really hoping I can achieve a 2:1 classification at the end of this year. I am working as hard as possible to achieve it. The fact I am writing this at 07.00 am on a wednesday morning having slept 4 hours since monday morning in the library says a lot!

[kwarcs-blog]

Came across this great place in wolverhampton, old pedigree brewery. Absolutely loved this structure, the entrance gate was really beautiful. Shame that the land and the building has gone to waste but it does look rather beautiful in its serenity. Wouldn't like to go at night though!

[kwarcs-blog]

Final Images

[kwarcs-blog]

This was a diagrammatic long section - showing what activites would take place on each of the platforms. 

[kwarcs-blog]

Long Section - Found this difficult to present due to the length as we needed to get it to A2 for portfolio and it was originally longer than A0. I used a concertina to help reduce it to the size required. 

[kwarcs-blog]

Short section 

[kwarcs-blog]

Rather than using a structural system then sitting the different panels onto it, we decided to use the pattern as the structure, and extrude the pattern to create the structural thickness required to span the specific distances. There would be structural columns along two sides of each platform, to prevent failure. 

[kwarcs-blog]

The final developments of the platforms resulted in a series of smaller panels that would be put together to create the different engaging levels. The idea was to use fractals of the patterns collected, and to use ranging levels which could provide seating areas and other elements beneficial to the users. 

[kwarcs-blog]

This is an example of one of the finished platforms. This particular platform would be the final one, situated half in the water, so it could be used as a shallow paddling area. 

[kwarcs-blog]

Group Work

This is the first group project that we have done within our design module. It is difficult trying to initialise ideas and agree on specifics, but thankfully as we are friends we could negotiate and speak freely in regards to the project. We also knew each others strengths and weaknesses and could easily appoint different jobs. The students that I worked with were of a high calibre, and it wasn't easy for me to keep up with the workload that they produced, however it was a great learning curve and really pushed me to do my best. 

[kwarcs-blog]

This is an image of the grasshopper script used to devise the previous method of design. Bit complicated to explain but if anyone wants to know, please feel free to ask! 

[kwarcs-blog]

Development of previous design of structure - developing a curved edge rather than the sharp predecessor. 

[kwarcs-blog]

First initial thought processes for the masterplan. We intend to place a series of platforms along the void of the site, and link the surrounding areas with the river darro, which flows through the site.  We intend to use patterns taken from the Alhambra and incorporate these into the design of the platforms. 

[kwarcs-blog]

Architectural Design 3.1

Starting my first design process - we have been issued a brief to masterplan a specific area within the region of Granada - Spain. This is a group project, myself and two other students. We have been looking at many different examples of masterplanning, and combining the notion of "non-space" - neither inside nor outside. I will post progress of this as the project continues. 

[kwarcs-blog]

Finally finished my critical study :) Here is the link to the PDF version on Issuu! 

[kwarcs-blog]