Week 12: Thank you!

The past 12 weeks have flown by so fast! I have gained so much from this experience completing the Senior Research Project.

In order to properly conclude the project, I have written a paper describing and summarizing all of my architectural findings, that I will upload in the next week.

Presentations for the Senior Research Project will be on May 6, 2017--- one week!

I hope everyone has enjoyed reading this blog, and I hope you might have gained perspective into architects and architecture. Thank you for reading!

I am truly thankful for the LEA family. They have been extremely warm, welcoming, and helpful in my endeavors. Words cannot describe.

I know my adventure in architecture will still continue--- and I hope yours will too!

Please anticipate my paper and presentation!~
-Victoria

Week 11: Lights. Color. Action!

I went on another 'field trip'-esque activity this past week. I spent my day at Lelli Shop, an upcoming retail boutique shop off of 44th Street and Camelback!

Lelli is almost near opening! Hopefully in the next week or so!

The benefits about visiting Lelli at this point in time is that there is no clothing in it yet! (Or at least there wasn't...) LEA is very involved in the tenant improvements of Lelli Shop. It is located in those outdoor-styled shopping complexes, so rather than remodeling the exterior building, they improved upon the interior design.

The first time I visited Lelli Shop was back in early February. Within these last 2 months, so much change has occurred!

Lelli back in Feb.

I would post recent completed pictures of Lelli, but I don't have any... which means you'll just have to go down to Lelli to experience and see the shop yourself!! 

Otherwise... you can visualize with my written descriptions! (Of course if you can visit Lelli, you definitely should!)

Lelli Shop gives off a contemporary vibe. Contemporary, yet warm. Lindsey, Lelli Shop Owner, really wanted to have a great balance between having a shop that is classy, but still very welcoming (not intimidating). 

The walls, floors, and furniture in Lelli are all of light neutral colors: white marble, light grey/brown wood, white walls, grey hanging racks. The ultimate look is very classy, very clean. But what is the factor that will make this shop welcoming? The lighting!

Lelli has a contemporary chandelier with multiple bulbs, as well as other 'stage lights' (they look light stage spotlights), soffit* lights, and shelf lights (light bars installed inside the actual wooden shelf). 

*soffits are basically the extruded portions walls you may see in a room, and hold all of the mechanical/electrical/plumbing...etc. necessary for functioning buildings

All of the lighting in Lelli are mixed between your regular white lights, or warmer yellower lights. Lindsey described to me all of the thought put into deciding each temperature for each lighting bulb. There was a necessary balance to be determined between having a welcoming feel for customers, but also maintaining accurate 'clean' lighting to reflect the colors of the clothing merchandise. 

Going back to how architectural elements impact the public: this is one example. Lighting, material, and color are essential in attracting crowds and potential consumers. Having the contemporary feel allows the shop to express their quality in clothing, but the warm lighting, and warm light grey/brown wood flooring allows the shop to be welcoming in the sense that potential consumers won't be too intimidated to come inside. 

Definitely keep a look out for Lelli Shop! It'll be opening very soon, so if not to check out its architectural elements, come check out its clothing!!~

Week 11: Keep Calm and Be Bored---sidenote

Boredom. Why does it have such a negative appeal in our modern day? In a Metropolis magazine article "We Need More Boredom in Our Lives", by Rosanne Somerson, the appeal of boredom is challenged and advocated for.

Personally, I don't like being bored. But, I do like doing nothing. Doing nothing, I feel, allows me to mentally rest, and let my mind wander, or even just be blank.

This whole idea of 'boredom' in an efficient world is viewed as a waste of time, a waste of potential beneficial work. However, what Somerson argues is that boredom actually helps release more creativity (as she tested out on her students).

As I think about it-- it is true. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, endless downloadable applications on smart phones, 100+ television channels, 100+ shows and movies on Netflix/Hulu/YouTube--- there are no available moments to be bored! Comparing to the earlier times where black and white television with 2 channels had become a thing, we have an unimaginable luxury in our modern day lives!

However, how in effect is this 'luxury' affecting us? Sure, daily improvements occur, but what about our abilities to entertain ourselves with just our minds? Having those blank moments, won't they allow for the advent of fresh ideas, and self-appreciation?

In relating this back to architecture, or more generally, the design process: boredom isn't a bad thing. It is an opening for new ideas to occur; a chance for rest to generate and a new perspective to somehow unlock.

"Distraction is easier than ever to find and harder than ever to resist. But until we push back and avoid getting sucked into the void of mindless media consumption, we will discourage our overextended minds from opening up to allow for creativity and discovery."

Check out the article here!

Week 10: More Than Visuals

"You can't hold architecture like a book in your lap" (14) -Hal Box, Think Like an Architect.

This is in regards to "Dreaming and Seeing" (chapter name, pun intended!).

Architecture, if not viewed as an abstraction... is the art of physical space. In his book, Hal Box describes ten ways to view and appreciate a building. I will elaborate on a few, and list the others:

1. Find it's purpose/function for the community -- This is basically the background check on a building. Finding maybe any historical significance, and the building's relations to its surrounding community. 
2. See beyond 'structures' -- light, shadow, texture, form, proportion...etc.
3. Gauge space itself -- how the space is interacting with sound, light, and other spaces.
4. Marvel at the physics and structure
5. Find and recognize materials used and their relations with each other
6. Find the base structure of the building (foundation)
7. What is (if there is) the historical inspiration? 
8. Find the relation between art elements
9. Gauge whether the building 'fits in' with its community
10. Why is this building special? 

This list is hefty. I don't think I would actually run through this list when casually looking at a building. However, this list is truly a look into the work of an architect. This would truly be trying understand and interpret the architect's work. Crediting the little details an architect designed for the space. 

"...the most important learning comes from seeing" (19). 

It is true. Architecture in itself is an experience. A 3-dimensional space can be viewed in a 2-dimensional format, but we would then be lacking a dimension in space as we experience the building. Actually, I would personally argue that architecture is 4-dimensional. Why? Because it has history, a story, a vibe... something that is known, but can't be expressed in 3D form---- it has to be experienced. 

Week 10: Collaboration #ARCHWeek17

Happy week of 4/10! This past week also happened to be ARCHWeek17! -->The national architecture week (4/9-4/15), hosted by the AIA.

Twitter has exploded with architecture tweets over the past week! A little overwhelming, especially as they mention topics relevant to my project as well! Today's topic (Day 7) is Sustainability. There was an interesting article reposted by the AIA earlier, and further backs up my point of how architects and architecture are the epitome of collaboration, wielding the power to either heal or destroy a society.

In the article "Three battle plans in the resilience war" written by Steve Cimino (article), he discusses how our world environment is inevitably changing. Meaning, both built and natural, one affecting the other in a cycle. This brings up the 100 Resilient Cities (100RC) program, which basically is the effort to help make cities around the world more resilient to world problems (economic, social, physical).

Especially in the topic of natural occurrences (article talked about rising sea levels), the purpose now for the architects is to design a solution that will aid future lifestyle and living, with the imposed safety threats.

The benefits about having a widespread, collaborative program like 100RC, is that it garners much more publicity and thus awareness to the cause. Therefore garners much more involvement for the community.


A link to a video was also included, this being on Day 6's topic: communities. Shown below.

The above video highlights how architecture is truly for the people. In a literal sense for this particular firm in Alabama, the people and the architects collaborate and work together to build up their physical community. Frances Sullivan (former postmistress) from the video, states: "Architecture has the potential to be the solution." She continues on to say that even if it may not be the complete solution, "it can be the catalyst", and that "it is the people in the end that make a difference." 

Architecture: for the people, by the people. 

Week 9: Reflection

Reflection: Parking Structures- Part 2

A few days ago, Lance told me about one of the projects they were currently designing. It was basically one of those living spaces atop stores. Think New York. You have the shops on the first levels, and then basically an apartment complex on the levels above. Where do the cars go?

Coincidentally (or not) following the notion of the previous post's featured article, and how parking structures generally aren't the most appealing thing to look at... For this project, they decided to have the parking structure hidden behind the shop.

So they had this whole shop/complex designed out on their computer. It's specific, it's precise, all measurements are accounted for (even though so far it's only exterior work-- no interior designs have been made). I guess you can say it's a 'shell'.

Despite the whole complex already being planned out and fully complete, there was a space-related detail that became a little problematic. Thus, the parking structure had to be modified. You would think that it would be an easy fix, just adjusting the measurements for the parking should be enough. However no, structurally, the living spaces on top then became unstable. So, from here, the living space arrangements had to be reorganized as well, in order to be structurally sound with the parking garage on level 1. It's not too big of a deal, however, it does provide some insight on how much detail and precision is required when designing and well-functioning building.

Ultimately, all of the adjustments allowed for bigger individual living spaces, and a conservation of space for more parking. Yay!

Also, I would also like to highlight, how all of these 'problems' were found and corrected before construction has even begun. This explains into why projects will last for very long stretches of time, before a final product will be produced. Because drafts and drafts, and layers and layers of detail and revision and analysis are imposed in order to ensure a well-thought out building.

Week 9: Parking Structures

What are your opinions on parking structures? Do you consider them a waste of space? Even if you do, they still however are a necessity due to the reliance on cars (for at least certain areas of the world).

Argumentatively, parking is just a waste of space. This argument is taken up by another article from USGBC+, "Smart Park" written by Mary Grauerholz. (Read HERE, p32)

picture cred

Based on the picture above: what is that luscious green park doing in the middle of the city? 

Answer: It's hiding a parking garage!

Actually though... it is. :D

This is a picture of the Post Office Square Parking Garage, located in Boston. It is a well-ventilated underground parking garage, and atop is a nice space for a park, where space other than for car storage can actually be utilized. Measures were taken when designing the underground parking facility in order to ensure the reduction of pollution inside the facility, as well as measures to ensure safety against high levels of carbon monoxide. 

The park featured above (as you can tell from the picture) has TREES! This helps reduce carbon dioxide in the air. The park itself also decreases stormwater runoff, and also helps increase property value of the nearby spaces. It's a well-rounded benefit to all!.  

In a more subjective manner, I feel like this park is a nice addition to the urban cityscape of its surroundings, just based off of the picture presented from above.

Here below (cred) was the original parking place

Renovations were done, and the final green park was opened in 1990. 

I feel like the renovations gave the city a breath of fresh air (no pun intended) and a nice space to use for leisure or even work. 

Week 9: Biology in Design

Biomimicry: "an approach to innovation that seeks sustainable solutions to human challenges by emulating nature's time-tested patterns and strategies." (Biomimicry Institute)

Like a chameleon? Eh. Kind of. 

More like imitating and using nature's example to help solve our problems. 

Design isn't just for decor. More and more recently, especially in our current-day strive for efficiency and green things, design is purposed to have maximum potential. This topic is inspired and drawn from the article written by Kiley Jacques, "Bio Building" in the USGBC+ Magazine. 

"Biomimicry" basically was coined after Janine Benyus's intense focus upon sustainable innovations mirroring nature. Benyus, a biologist, wrote the book Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature, and from here melded the world of biology into ... basically all of the other worlds. Engineering, product design, computer industries... Effectively innovating the design of different products, conceptions, and forms, made them much simpler and efficient. 

Drawing from the examples from the article piece, there is an Optistruct software developed by Jeff Brennan for computer-aided design and manufacturing programs. Brennan developed this software with inspiration drawn from bones. The bone-like inspiration helps with supporting structures, as well as lightweighting to reduce material usage. 

There is also paint inspired from lotus leaves (as water molecules roll off the paint surface, they also collect loose dirt). As well as, another type of paint that was inspired by peacock feathers (omits the inclusion of potential toxic pigments). 

Lotus-inspired self cleaning paint (cred)

As buildings now increasingly are developed in order to solve problems greater than living and working space (such as living environment, climate change, gas emissions), there comes a necessity for innovative ideas to develop as well. Not just functional, but also aesthetic. Not just aesthetic, but also functional. In my opinion, I believe that aestheticism is a category within functionality.  

When I asked Lance what his balance was between functionality and aestheticism, he said 80% for function. Basically meaning, function is has the higher priority, although aestheticism is important as well. 

In my opinion, all things natural are naturally aesthetic. It's the goal we are all reaching for. Perfect functionality, and an impeccable design. 

As I requote the quote quoted by Benyus at the end of the article: "The goal is to build cities that are functionally indistinguishable from the wildlife around them. That's true biomimicry."

Check out the original article HERE, on page 28! 


And just for fun, I know I spent an emphasis on the function of biomimicry on this post, but aesthetic-wise for building inspiration, biomimicry is pretty great: 

Singapore's durian fruit-inspired building (cred)

(although technically called the Esplanade Theatre, I do know that locals nickname it the durian haha!)

Mercedes' Bionic Car (cred), modeled after the yellow boxfish (actually this design does serve for better function as well!---apparently it has some great acceleration as well as less emissions) 

Week 9: My Way

It's the most rewarding when things go according to plan. Especially if that plan is the plan you devised yourself.

There are no arguments or uneasy feelings regarding your plan, because it is one that you agree with completely.

In real life, there is no such thing as a plan that is completely "your way".

Even when decorating your own home. You are still constrained with the wall constraints already placed. "I would love to put that table there, but it is in the way of the door".

Maybe this is the part where you say, "...not if your an architeeeeeecttt 😏"

But still.... no. 😅

Architects are still bound by regulations. Regulations by ADA, specifications by clients, constraints by engineers, dilemmas by gravity.

Where did all of the 'power' go? This is the same concept I talked about in Part 3 of Week 6's series: The Box. Vision is what is essential in order to keep the meaning of the architectural profession true.

Because there is bound to be conflict and difference in opinion, to be able to wrap up everyone's input into one big basket, all the while maintaining your sense of identity and work--this is the core of being an architect. If you solely listen to the requests and demands of others, the final product will still be great and functional, but there won't be any meaning, emotion, or drive behind it. This is no different than employing a computer to design your buildings. Problem solvers.

So, vision is essential whilst the efforts in supervising a group effort. "My way"? Our way.