Collection of images from my third year and fourth year projects.
📏 Designing Through the Model
During my third year in architecture school, our winter/spring studio embarked on a unique endeavor of constructing massive models from found objects on top of 36” x 80” solid core doors over the course of 20-weeks. Of course, our studio drew a lot of skepticism. Why just one huge model for a twenty-week project? Any why out of found objects?
Model Images from my Third-Year Spring 2019 Project
Architecture models are essential in the design process as they offer a tangible representation of scale and help uncover spatial complexities that are challenging to grasp solely through the computer. In our studio, we embraced this concept to its fullest extent, making the model the primary driving force behind the project’s design. Rather than relying on iterative designs through Rhino and creating physical study models based on those iterations, we adopted a different approach. We designed directly through the physical model and used the computer as a secondary tool to generate the necessary drawings, renderings, diagrams, and other outputs from this design process.
📐 What are Found Objects?
According to the great website, Wikipedia.org, found objects are typically undisguised items or products, often modified, that are not conventionally considered materials for artistic creation due to their non-artistic function. Remember when Marcel Duchamp turned a urinal on its side and said, ‘now it’s a fountain, which means its art’? The idea in Duchamp’s instance was to elevate everyday objects to the status of art through the actions of the artist, in this case recontextualizing the urinal by changing its orientation.
Marcel Duchamp, Fountain, 1917
What does this have to do with architecture? Everywhere you look, you encounter a multitude of everyday objects with their own distinct and creative shapes – toothbrushes, bicycles, water bottles, computer accessories, printers, and more. This raises an intriguing question: rather than starting the design of a building from scratch, why not leverage these existing forms to generate something entirely new? This design approach presented a unique challenge to our studio, compelling us to explore unconventional avenues and discover innovative ways of utilizing these objects.
🎨 Architecture as Composition
One way to approach architectural design is to perceive a building as a composition of elements. Objects all around us already have their own intrinsic spatial qualities. It is up to us as the designer to utilize these found objects in creative ways and generate forms out of them. By adopting this mindset, you end up generating unique and captivating spaces that may not have been initially conceived.
👐 Liberating Program
Often the programmatic requirements of a project drive the initial design process. This often involves creating those generic program block diagrams, which can sometimes limit the generation of compelling forms that deviate from the initial programmatic analysis. However, the approach I am suggesting involves prioritizing the creation of form before focusing on function. We as skilled designers can adapt and articulate any interesting form to meet the required programmatic needs.
This perspective encourages breaking free from preconceived notions that tie specific spatial qualities to programs. By doing so, it fosters a more innovative and open-minded design process. A similar principle can be observed in adaptive. When transforming an old warehouse into a vibrant food market, for instance, the resulting space often features high ceilings, beautiful skylights, and a vast open area that promotes activity and vitality. Wouldn’t a restaurant in a repurposed church be so much more interesting?
The key idea here is that the program can be adapted and articulated to suit any space, so it is worth making the space itself as captivating and interesting as possible. By approaching design in this manner, we create opportunities to explore unconventional design solutions and reimagine spaces in ways that enhance their functionality and aesthetics.
💨 Quick and Intuitive
When a professor asks you to make some models at the beginning of a project and throughout the design process, it is very easy to get bogged down in the precision of a model rather than focusing on designing the form itself. However, by using found objects, this helps you to refocus on composing an interesting form. Utilizing existing forms is much faster than starting from scratch, enabling designers to tap into their intuition and allow it to guide the project. As the project progresses into its later stages, attention can be devoted to refining and articulating the design with finer details.
🗝️ Key Takeways
- There are already so many interesting found objects around us. Approach design as a composition of those elements.
- Any program can fit into any space. We are all talented designers. We can articulate any interesting form to align with any programmatic requirements.
- Models should be quick and intuitive. Do not get bogged down with precision. That can come later.
Of course, approaching the design process in this manner is just one of many approaches. However, I encourage any designer to consider this perspective in their future projects. Do you agree with any of this? Or do I just look crazy?
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