[proceed.to.build]

Chinatown Cultural Center

proceedtobuild — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 04:27:22 +0000

Rough rendering of the study model.

We begin with a tectonic idea, a simple model series describing how pinned joints can become spatial.

This turns into a small pavilion on a hillside

But we don’t like that, so we change the order of operations to include more solids:

This becomes a module that can be positioned on the new site, copied, and connected.

Site analysis reveals a way to manipulate the building mass to accommodate more program. Two street grids intersect and divide the site.

Which leads to more study models. This one in particular demonstrates a successful application of the concept. The mass is divided by open space; sectionally, the building starts to make sense.

This diagram describes the relationships of public and private spaces within the model.

Next, we slice the building into sections to examine these relationships in detail. (click the link and view this one in large or original size.)

B1 Studio #8: Boat House

proceedtobuild — Wed, 19 May 2010 21:51:43 +0000

Click to see the boards in original size.

B-1 Studio #7: Boathouse Begins

proceedtobuild — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 23:54:22 +0000

B-1 Studio #6: Drawing

proceedtobuild — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 23:52:54 +0000

What good is a model without a set of drawings?

Site Plan

To understand a drawing, you need to draw. We spent a good deal of this project revising base drawings of our assigned structure. These I drew by hand based on measurements taken from scaled CAD drawings.

Mountain Tree House sections

Rendered elevations

Plans and elevations.

Using a ton of trace and vellum, we made our analysis based on these drawings. From those exercises, I was able to distill some concepts and transform the original into something more in step with my conclusions.

Elevation, rendered in pen and marker

Ground plan, with trees. I love me some trees.

Section taken through center. The trees are cut through because they have become structural.

B1 Studio #5: Final Model

proceedtobuild — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:28:58 +0000

This final part of project 1 is a transformation of the building being studied. Based on my analysis, I’ve changed the original building into the coolest vacation home around.

How many trees were on this site before the original house was built? I took a stab at answering that.
First, I compared the architect’s photographs to their site plan so I could build a site model. Next, I sketched a plan of tree locations based on the five poplars in the front yard of the original.
The deck was constructed around the poplars as a place to sit among the trees. The concrete “trunk” supports the full load of the sleeping unit as well as part of the deck load. The poplars support the rest of the deck and ramp loads.

B1 Studio #4: Re-arranging the diagrams

proceedtobuild — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 01:48:44 +0000

One entry ago, we showed you the layered isometric diagram of the Mountain Tree House elements.

Each colorful little toy represents an attempt at studying the relationships among these spaces. Something interesting emerged from this exercise. For example, changing the house from a satellite to a parasite:

Nah.

Based on analysis of views, light, and sight lines in relation to the main house, the guest house lost its workshop and went through a growth spurt. Why not make a tree house really about trees? After all, the only thing about the original that says “tree house” is the bamboo that comes through the floor. There are five beautiful poplars in the site plan, so I built a deck around them. The “trunk” anchors the structure and houses HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. It retains the spirit of the original, but gets rid of the garage. You can’t park in a treehouse.

B-1 Studio #3- Diagrams

proceedtobuild — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:26:22 +0000

Axonometric diagram of the Mountain Tree House

(click to enlarge_)
It seems that this little house is all about units.
Sleep in the red block.
Play on the green deck.
Work (garden, woodshop, garage) in the blue block.

The red unit has a shower door that opens to the outside. I think the folks who own this house like to be outside getting dirty. So much so that they placed the entrance to the shower outside of the sleeping quarters so that you can step directly into the shower without passing through your smallish living space.
Interesting.

B-1 Studio #2

proceedtobuild — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 01:46:17 +0000

Diagram sketches. This house is so simple that it is proving to be really difficult to diagram.

NYC iphone photos

proceedtobuild — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:02:26 +0000

Cameraphone shots from the past year. Some edited, some not.

B-1 Studio #1

proceedtobuild — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:09:25 +0000

B1 Studio at the BAC is all about analysis. The first project uses design drawings from an existing project to teach the fundamentals of building analysis. I’ve chose Scogin+Elam’s Mountain Tree House.