Archives
December 2022
Categories
All
|
Back to Blog
wonder wall and modern farm1/7/2011 here are some sketchup ideas of the "wonder wall" scheme. first drafts - client loves the clean and modern architectural styles. the idea with the wall is to create the strength of the wall, and leaning, penetrating and juxtaposing space through it to create the dynamics needed for the clients' personality types. lots of fun. client does not like the wood doors in such repetitive pattern - so i'll try to work on the elevations to tune up the window compositions. still under development! the other project i'm still working on is modern farm. this one is on a 1 acre lot outside of kaneohe. the scheme uses the quonset hut structure in a modern use. these prefabricated structures are affordable and have tons of historic references from roman barrel vaults to industrial uses from the WWII era ( a product of innovation out of depression-era necessity).
2 Comments
Read More
Back to Blog
Design - "Wonderwall"12/9/2010 working on a project that not only has the typical logistical component, but also a wonderful design component. the music to inspire the design is wonderwall a remake of the oasis hit by Ryan Adams. here are the adjectives that were generated from this song by my clients and what came to me:
soulful, clean, smooth. i get the impression of a light rain on a sunny day where the drips reflect the light as it drips from fresh leaves. light, and warm. encouraging, enclosing, haunting (in a good way), and continuing. the lyrics and words seem to imply strength, security, and a soft-strong spirit. something that is always there, always interesting, and always surrounding, engulfing and besides me to lean on. the song really matches my clients. really amazing. most of the song is smooth, clean and full of a refreshing spirit. but there is a hint of feisty-ness in the song... just a touch. and the architecture will have the same feeling. how to translate adjectives, feeling into brick and mortar? the literal solution for "wonderwall" would be to start with a wall scheme. the parti will have a wall in it. the music, the lyrics, and the site all point to this feeling of strength, solidity, security, and timelessness. the wall in most of my designs will show itself more as a solid "zone" where functions like stairs, closets, and other small tight parts of the home will be concentrated. carving holes and openings in the wall is the fun part, so it will most likely have some of this too! after all, the song wonderwall was inspired by a movie from the 60's about poking holes in a wall... i won't say why here. but let's just say it laid the groundwork for love and untiring interest and devotion. based on this, a language of architecture is beginning to show itself: stone walls, thin poles, warm woods, and all types of wall penetrations. my clients like clean lines, so we'll keep it looking more contemporary. a good connection to a well developed out door garden is really important to bring about the feelings evoked by "wonderwall". so we'll need to focus on that outdoor "room" which will be connected to the main living room. stone is a must: it holds spirit and soulfulness wood is a must: it brings warmth metals: will have some of this - not sure if stainless steel is what i'm feeling, though... maybe copper and bronze in accents will be more appropriate. glass: only in accents... unless the feng shui master clarence lau tells me to use more in certain areas. there will be alot of it as the architecture needs to connect to the outdoor context in a major way light: will bring this by lifting the roof off the stone walls where possible. should give a floating roof effect, and thin vertical members will help this. will post up the parti as soon as i can swing it!
Back to Blog
Animals of the Zodiac - Tiger 20108/12/2010 Tiger is strong, powerful, and decisive. Naturally drawn to the stripes... the very thing that makes tiger interesting makes him invisible. The architecture is a reflection of that inspiration and also creating a strong, -cisive feeling in the experience.
Back to Blog
Animals of the Zodiac - Rat 20108/12/2010 Rat is enterprising, lucky, and optimist and will take risks. Qualities of a great entrepreneur. Feelings and thoughts came as a language of ribbons - strong, but pliable and flexible.
Back to Blog
Animals of the Zodiac - Ox 20108/12/2010 Ox is solid, steady, reliable, and responsible. I chose curves to emphasize Ox's reliability, but it may be too graceful. I think strength and solidity is more of an important impression so adjusting the architectural language to have more stone-like strength is in order.
Back to Blog
Animals of the Zodiac - Boar 20108/12/2010 Boar is steady, determined, prepared and honest. I got a feeling of strength and bristles, with strong protrusions and connections to the earth. The architecture incorporates earth roofs, and protruding forms held together with stone and other solid forms.
Back to Blog
Animals of the Zodiac - Ram 20108/12/2010 Sheep or ram - is peaceful, prosperous, graceful, careful, and balanced. I got a sense similar to Ox, except smoother, and more graceful. Working out sections that show multiple levels and opportunities for light.
Back to Blog
Animals of the Zodiac - Rabbit 20107/21/2010 Rabbit is wise, merciful, beautiful, and empathetic. This characterization has a partial glass roof, and partial earth roof. This house provides a sense of secure comfort.
Back to Blog
Animals of the Zodiac - Snake 20107/21/2010 Snake is coiled and ready. Almost like stone, but fast and flexible. Highly cultured and very intelligent. I love this sketch because it reminds me of early stealth fighters, full of facets and interesting forms. As you can tell, it's important to have the plan look like the elevation.
Back to Blog
Animals of the Zodiac - Dragon 20107/21/2010 Wise, intelligent, filled with vitality and great strength. Dragon truly is "Invincible", so I did another one to Pat Benetar's song as well. This one feels like dragon for some reason.
Back to Blog
Animals of the Zodiac - Rooster 20107/21/2010 Rooster is proud, strong, aggressive. A house for rooster is flamboyant, and fun. Sketched while listening to Pat Benetar's "Invincible" which for me characterizes the rooster. This house's roof does not shed water, but catches it instead. Still needs work on the solar fins concept. I think it needs to be more flamboyant in the vertical direction. Next stage of development will probably develop this "crest" a little further.
Back to Blog
Animals of the Zodiac - Horse 20107/21/2010 Initial sketches for a home with a horse characterization. Full of energy, and joyful. Self reliance, sophistication, resilient, confident. It has physical and emotional characterizations of "horse". Elevation top, plan at bottom. My goal is to finish early sketches for each animal, and then work them into a format for exhibition. It is a discovery of taking human traits that embody the animals, and then translating these intangible qualities into a stage for living and personal expression.
Back to Blog
Animals of the Zodiac - Dog 20107/21/2010 Initial character sketches for a "dog" personality. Ideas stem from a dog at rest, loyalty, determination, solidity, faith, inclusion. top is an elevation, bottom is a plan.
Back to Blog
Animals of the Zodiac - Monkey 20107/21/2010 Initial sketches for a house that characterizes "monkey". Lots of movement, complexity and fun! Monkey 2010 - initial characterization sketches. |