Getting to know Crysis

In order to become familiar with  Crysis sandbox and the play up tool in Google sketch up my first wk agenda was to play around with these tools. Crysis initially seemed difficult as understanding and manipulating the terrain dynamics was confusing but as I continued to play around with Crysis it became bit easier to manipulate with.

Axonometrics

Architectural Concepts

Santiago Calatrava

 

To harmonize the extremities of architecture and engineering to create a single balanced space

Using sculptural form to create organic spaces that reflect concepts of nature. 

Enhance permeability through structural simplicity and lightness 

Defy conventions and rules 

Create monuments that integrate with and dominate the landscape

Extra Draft Models Just for Kicks :)

I created these models whilst i was trying to get a feel for Sketchup they dont go towards EXP 1 but they reflect how much ive progressed in 4 wks in using Sketchup and in terms of architecture how much ive progressed in creativity, design and my understanding of architecture the main purpose of this course. :)

Animate IT!

My animation below focuses primarly on the major theme in my model design and stair concepts which is program and movement. The video focuses on showing off the architecture whilst taking the viewer through an interactive journey through the structure as if they were there at the gallery themseleves.

Final Model

My final model below plays with many different elements of geometry and materiality, Glass, simple shapes and columns are prominent in my final model as i was aiming for a open and light construction. I have three sets of stairs instead of two sets to enable movement in my model to be made with a specific structure. The sets of stairs connect through movement the underground work-space, gallery and above ground work-space effectively so a person moving through the model can experience all three spaces. 

Their is a clear datum in my model but this datum is challenged as the model is not separated by it but rather it is used as a design element. The above ground and below ground are connected through the stair and also through the use of columns which run from above ground to below ground creating in sense one single space instead of three separate spaces. 

The choice of glass  in my material selection is crucial as it plays a major part in allowing the structure to be light and inviting. The glass also acts a method of connection between the three spaces as it enables a continuous flow and movement to be made. 

Each stair set is very different in terms of design and materiality but they are connected in their purpose. The stair that goes from below ground to above ground is a long linear set of stainless steel stairs that is very industrial the open glass space above allows a person to view down below to the stairs allowing the staircase to act as a focus and essential design point, in the below ground work space. 

The second set of stairs near the underground staircase is a spiral wooden staircase that flows from the underground one acting as a continuous structure. The spiral stairs adds some contrast to the structure but its maintains to remain apart of the structure as a whole. 

The third set of stairs goes from the back of the above ground work space into the gallery area these glass stairs acts as an extension of the above ground workspace but also provides a stage for the artwork to be seen from a alternate point of view. This set was inspired by the TKTS staircase in Duffy Square New York. I was inspired by the idea of TKTS being a stage to witness the world around i took this concept and tried to recreate the idea in my design. 

The structure although simple connects through movement and design the underground work space, gallery and the above ground work-space, the stairs arre essential in doing this but material choice also plays a major part. 

2 Draft models

The first draft model was the one i went with when developing the final model, it is very different, bare and more complex than my final model but by creating this draft model i allowed myself to experiment and finally create a piece i was happy with. The sectional image i took it from is very different from the draft but in terms of major design elements it is similar.

The second draft model below was initially the first sketch-up model i had created in this course this model enabled me to explore sketch-up and the concepts of how 2D shapes are converted into a 3D design. I decided not to go with this model as i felt it didn't work with the concept of the datum we were working with.