Introduction to Interior Design Project: Assignment 3

In this project, we are required to build a shelter for our characters that were introduced in the previous project , while doing so, we have to determine what are the activities that our characters do and what kind of shelter would suit their needs.

First, I've determined the activities that my character would do in the shelter: Reading, stargazing, and also training.

Activity: Stargazing

Activity: Training 

Activity: Rea

Next, we've been asked to do research on buildings that were inspired by nature itself, so that we too, could get inspirations and build our very own shelter.

The buildings that caught my attention were the [ Honeycomb housing complex in Slovenia ] and [The Wave in Vejle, Denmark].



Combining some features from the two buildings, I've gotten an inspiration for the shelter.

Also, the context for this shelter would be a mountain cave, where part of this shelter would fit nicely at the opening of the cave.



A simple storyboard showing how my character would enter and use the shelter was also illustrated.

Storyboard

And finally, the first model is made.

First Model Idea

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I was told that I need to find a way to let the shelter accommodate with its surrounding, rather than digging a space for the shelter to fit in.

Also, we were required to make an A2 size model of the context where our shelter would be in.

I've used styrofoam and paper mache to create the mountain cave. And also, a new model that extrude from the opening of the mountain cave, like a cantilever. One of the challenges I've faced is making a slanted outer body for the shelter while trying to keep its interior's surface in the horizontal level.



Both of these models and some orthographic drawings of this second shelter are then pinned up for critique session 3.

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Changes has to be made to the shelter as it was too straight and has very little variations in shape. The plan of the shelter was changed from a straight, linear form to a zig-zag form. Sadly, I've failed to make the interior surface to a horizontal level, causing it to be slanted.

Top View

Accessible hatch 

Since this will be the final model for the final review session, we have to make a presentation board that introduces our characters, shelter and inspiration. Orthographic drawings are also included in the board. The name of my shelter is [ der Träger], which literally means "cantilever" in English.

Full Presentation Board

Orthographic Drawings 

Character Illustration 

Inspiration I;

After that, all of our work, including models and drawings, are needed to be brought for the final design review

We've arranged our drawings and models to prepare for the final presentation.

Set-up of Presentation Boards along the
hallway

Set-up of Presentation Board

During the presentation, the lecturers also gave valuable suggestions on improving our work for our future projects.

In the end, I've learnt so much from this project itself, such as: how a form of a building can be made to follow the function of it. I also had the chance to learn more about axonometric drawings and also perspective drawings. Although there were countless of sleepless nights during the progress of the entire Project 3, I've definitely gained a lot of knowledge about forms and space.

[Construction & Technology] Assignment 2b: Site study

On this assignment, we were required to pick a location/site and to study structural elements that could be found on that site. We've picked a residential place in Denai Alam.

We've decided to choose a few structural elements to be studied. Firstly, from the extension porch at the side of the house, the columns, slab, and sliding door can be found. Secondly, the wall located at the living room area of the house, which consists of walls, columns and openings (door and windows.). And third, the staircase as the final structural element.

While two of the group members have picked the first 2 area, I've chosen the staircase as my subject.

The staircase is a Double L-shaped stairs, which is also known as quarter landing stairs, where there's 2 landings, and each landing changes the direction of the stairs by 90 degrees. This stair has a total of  19 risers and 17 treads. 

Installation/construction:

Since this is a concrete staircase, it is made by first laying out the reinforcement steel bars, and then the wooden formwork where the risers are placed adjacent to it (supported by the stringer)

http://debug.pi.gr/Default.aspx?ch=70

http://www.pfsolutions.ie/images/sce/stairs.jpg

Then, concrete is poured into the formwork. The concrete is left to be cured, and after it does, the wooden formwork is then removed. 

http://howtospecialist.com/structure/how-to-build-concrete-stairs/

http://howtospecialist.com/structure/how-to-build-concrete-stairs/

Then finishes (paint, laminated flooring etc) are added to the stairs.

Reinforcement steel bars are inserted during the making of formwork to allow the staircase to bear the tension applied.

Quarter landing stairs are generally more safer than straight stairs as the falling distance is shorter compared to straight stairs, but it takes up more area. Landings in the staircase also provide a resting place for occupants to take a break (especially elderly) while climbing up or down the stairs. 

[Activity] Skeletal Construction

To understand more on Reinforced Concrete's skeletal construction, in this lesson, we were required to make a simple one-storey building that consists of a footing, beams, columns, slab and also reinforcement. using plasticine. We were asked to replicate the procedures of the RC skeletal construction. 

RC skeletal construction procedures: 

1. Formwork and Falsework were built

2. Placing of steel bars (reinforcement) in the formwork.

3. Concrete were then mixed and cast into the formwork. As the concrete cures, the formwork and falsework is then removed.

Since we were using plasticine, the steps 1 and 3 are simplified

Our procedures (working with plasticine):

1. The "steel bars (rolled- up paper)" were placed and tied to each other. We chose to use a mat slab as the footing,

 

(We made a mistake as the entire structure's steel bars were supposed to be tied together, from the footing, to the column, then the beams. Instead, we did it one part at a time, which resulted in an unstable structure.) 

2. After the footing, the columns were built on the steel bars. 

 

3. Next, the steel bars for the beams, and then the beams were built around it. 

4. Finally, the slab is placed on another final 2 steel bars which were placed across the beams.

      

The overall structure wasn't stable due to some mistakes in the procedure, but after this activity, I've learned the correct steps of RC Skeletal Construction. 

Introduction to Interior Design Project: Assignment 2a and 2b

To further understand anthropometrics and ergonomics, this assignment was to draw our daily activities (assignment 2a) and then from the activities, pick 3 and do a detailed measurement on the furnitures that we interacted in that activity (assignment 2b).

Here's the sketch to my 12 activities that I do on Saturdays:

12 activities which were sketched with pencils, then highlighted with pen of different intensities. All drawings were done by referring to photographs taken before the sketch.
 

I've picked "doing dishes", "reading" and "feeding turtles" from the 12 activities for assignment 2b, where we are required to measure the height, length and width of the furnitures and to draw them to scale of 1:20. We were also required to draw different poses that associates with the furniture. 

From the activity "feeding turtles", the furniture included was the outdoor shelf, where some gardening tools and turtle tanks are placed outside the house. 

From the activity "reading", the highlighted furniture is the couch.

From the activity "doing dishes", the furniture involved was the kitchen sink.

All of these measurements were measure in millimetres, and then drawn to the scale of 1:20. I've learned how the size of the furnitures will affect our daily interactions with them.

Introduction to Interior Design Project: Assignment 2

To understand a little of anthropometrics and ergonomics, we are asked to create a character that is related to our chosen insect. For my case, since I've chosen the German Wasp, I've created a villain with the relations to a queen German wasp.

Here are the character design sketches:

The female villain named Königin (German for queen). A few things were shown in this character design sheet: Her profile, backstory, few facial expressions, her costume and weapons, and lastly her resolution. 

After designing the character, a paper craft model is made. We were given a template to be followed. After a few tries with the making process, the first product was created.

First model

The comments I got from this were: the top of her head was too messy; her hair was not feminine-like; and her armour wasn't in scale.

After that. I've modified the head, making the hair curve a little, and also a cleaner finish to the head. The armour was also changed to match the scale. 

Second Model

In my opinion, we were given too little time for this assignment, as we could have explored more options if more time were given. At least by the end, I've learned a little about anthropometrics.

Introduction to Interior Design Project: Assignment 1b

Assignment 1b is the sequel to assignment 1a. In this assignment, the main task is to identify what design language, keywords and characteristic of our chosen subject, then creating abstract drawings and a model based on it.

4 abstract 2D drawings are made:

The main idea of this first drawing was to show how a fallen queen wasps will cause the entire nest to collapse as well. However, this wasn't considered as an abstract representation, it was more of a metaphor. 

The keywords for this drawing are: swarm, pain, and movement. The dots to create an effect of a swarm; The human form shouting to signify pain; the flapping of wings to indicate fast movements.

This drawing was to show the flight pattern of the wasps, by using the pattern on the thorax of the wasps and making it swirl to a point in a distance. 

This drawing was to indicate destruction and pain. Cracks created by the falling stingers are used to indicate the destruction and pain. 

All these sketches were then combined, as 3 keywords were identified: Attached, Passive-aggressive, and Colony. Under the guidance of lecturers, I've drew a final abstract drawing that represented the keywords:

Tiny circles that forms a swarm represents the Colony;  how the tiny circles are actually connected to the side of the main object shows Attached, as how it was once attached to the main body of the drawing; stingers and pointy edges represent the passive aggressive nature of the wasp.

Moving on with the tasks. we now have to build a 3D abstract model, which has the same design language as our 2D abstract art. I had a hard time coming up with an idea to create the model.

part of the model making progress

The mock up model was made after a few tries. 

The mock-up model 

The comment I got was that the strips in the background looked detached and unrelated, so I modified it to make a movement effect:

Front view

Close up

Top view

Side view

I had a hard time making this model, and the end product has a different look from the original idea (the model was planned to be hung in a different orientation) but in the end I made some few changes and it ended up looking like what I produced.