Sketchup Help

Hi Guys

If you are having issues with Sketchup, you will be glad to hear that Jeremy Harkins and Rosamond Kember have agreed to provide extra Sketchup tutorials during the Easter break.

My suggestion is for you to get as much work as you can done before the tutes so that you can maximise this opportunity for you to get some tech support.

Please refer to the ARCH1101 course blog for the details.

Cheers

Week 4

Hello boys and girls,

Some of you have posted some beautiful textures on your blogs, I have not commented on any of them as I am saving my comments for when I see them on your sketchup model. I find that the most important part of the textures is how intelligently you use them to highlight your architecture. 

Having said that, I would like to see 3 types of hand drawn textures on your sketchup models tomorrow. Please refer to your brief.

Some of you have made excellent progress on your models, I hope to see more tomorrow.

Once again, architecture is very much about the human journey and experience.

Jo

Hi Everyone,

As there are 18 of you, whenever you present you work verbally or post it on your blogs, I would like you to state the name of your clients and words, first and foremost.

Journey

As you design the spaces and especially staircases in your models, please think about the journey that one would make through your building. Remember that architecture is very much about spatial experiences. Ask yourself questions such as, What feeling does one get when he walks through this space/room/corridor? Are there windows or spaces below and above that give visual interest or break up the monotony of the space? What is the height to width ratio of the space? How does that ratio make one feel? How does this space relate to the rest of the spaces in the building in terms of function or form or rhythm? What is the material palette and what does this palette achieve?

Sketch

If you find it a bit difficult to tackle these issues in sketchup, don't forget your Moleskine. Pick up a pen and start sketching. Sketching might be a fast and effective way to put some ideas to pen and paper, leaving you plenty of time to model it in sketchup.

Brief

Have you thought about how and where your client would produce his work? What are his requirements? How do you think he would like to sell or exhibit his work to his customers? How does your space allow him to effectively and creatively do that? Have you allocated space for any staff he might have? Have you allowed your clients' customers to have awesome spatial experiences while approaching or within your spaces?

Other Studios

Please have a look at the other tutors' blogs, there are some really good advice that would be useful to you.

Please also look at other students' blogs. Having a look at good work could spark an idea of your own, and also give you a benchmark as to what you should strive for.

Staircases

You need to produce at least 2 pages for each staircase that you design. These sketches have to convey the design and detailing of your staircase clearly. Feel free to use different thickness pens if you need to show greater level of detail. Please arrange the sketches of both pages in a visually pleasing way. As a designer you need to ensure that anything you produce/display is well thought out and aesthetically advanced. 

Summary of Week 2 Task

Please continuously refer to your brief, but here is a break down of what is expected by next week's studio:

a. Blog which includes
                  3 + 3 images
                 18 sketches scanned and uploaded
                  blog post on first sketchup model 
                  at least 8 pages of stair sketches
                  blog post on second sketchup model
                  and any other material of interest relevant to the studio and the tasks

b. Drawings of 4 sets of stairs. 
                  first two (2) sets are developed for and from your first sketchup model
                  second two (2) sets are developed from another one of your 18 sections

c. First sketchup model developed in consultation with tutor

d. Second sketchup model developed from another one of your 18 sections.
                  this sketchup model would include the stairs that you have designed in your Moleskine

See you on Tuesday.

Hello boys and girls,

I hope you had received adequate feedback yesterday to develop your Sketchup models. As you probably realised from yesterday's studio, it is in your best interest to be up to date with your work so that you can work smoothly into the next task without having to worry about the one before.

If you had read the Week 2 Task brief carefully, you would have realised that by next week, 4 sets of stairs are required of you. I apologise for misreading the brief at the end of studio. You can take this as a lesson to always trust the brief instead of anyone else.

For those who are trying to model complex organic shapes. A plug in called Artisan Organic Toolset might be of use to you. You have to buy it, it is not expensive and I think it is worth the money. Check this video out.

Another piece of advice I would like to give is to 'KNOW YOUR CLIENTS'. I cannot stress how important it is to refer to your client like he is a good friend, someone you know extremely well. I would like all you to start by at least knowing their names. Next week I do not want to hear phrases like "the sushi guy" or "stra-dee-what?". Please also refer to one of Jeremy Harkins' blog post on getting to know your clients.

If you have a question throughout the week, feel free to comment on this post and I will try to get back to you as soon as I can. Some of you may have questions on your staircase or which sketch should be chosen for your staircase. These questions were supposed to be addressed in studio yesterday, but alas the time just flew by.

Good luck with your sketchup models and this week's task. Remember to read the brief carefully.

Jo

p.s. I am still missing blog addresses from Joel, Tae Young and Jeny. Please reply to this post with your addresses.

Before Week 2 Studio

Hi everyone,

Just a few quick notes:

1. Before the next class I would expect all of you to have
    - Blog (with 3 + 3 images and associated words for the clients)
    - Moleskine notebook with 0.5 Artline black pen
    - 18 sketches
    - Sketchup model based on sketched sections
    - Blog post with 2 images of Sketchup model and associated sketches

2. Points to consider when designing/modelling Sketchup model:
     - Scale: consider the dimensions of the space needed and its relationship with the human body.
     - Brief: do your best to determine what spaces and functions your client might need. Try to be     creative and narrative, it will help your spaces develop.
     - Extrusions: be reminded that your models are not to be direct extrusions of your sections. Remember that different sections of a single building can vary greatly. Your goal is to utilise your section as a concept/influence/guide to inform your model.
     - Context: your landscape in which your building sits is important and should be given as much thought as your building itself.

Good luck and don't forget to be creative and have fun!

For those whose blogs are not listed on my blog page, could you please reply to this post with your blog address so that I may add it to the list? And as general practice, I would like all of you to link each others' blogs on your blog pages so that we are all aware of our collective progress.

See you all on Tuesday.

Cheers

Jo

Something interesting...

Check out the paper installation designed by Kustaa Saksi and architect Gert Wingårdh at this year's Stockholm Furniture and Light Fair.

I just love the duality of the display. More photos and information at the Cool Hunter.

Hello everyone,

It was great meeting you yesterday and I look forward to a semester of exciting projects!

The videos below will give you a better understanding of your clients. Do give them a go if you haven't already.

JIRO ONO DREAMS OF SUSHI PT1

Jiro Dreams of Sushi Part 1 by thatsiberianguy>

JIRO ONO DREAMS OF SUSHI PT2

Jiro Dreams of Sushi Part 2 by thatsiberianguy>


CRAFTING OF A VIOLIN



WORKSPACE OF SHINYA KIMURA


Cheers

Jo