CANYON PAVILION

AS ABOVE SO BELOW

PROJECT ONE

OBSERVATION SKETCHING understanding the representation of architectural space in Te Ngākau Civic Square through analogue drawings

PROJECT TWO

DRAWING SPACE

Finding spatial and formal possibilities from project 1 drawings through digital and physical modelling to design a conceptual pavilion

PROJECT THREE

EXHIBITION MODEL

Fine-tuning the design of the conceptual pavilion through the making of an exhibition quality model

The series of drawings document the journey through Te Ngākau Civic Square. While staying stationary, perception of space onsite is interrupted by architecture which require people to go through a path to discover what can’t be seen.

Just like growing up, every person must come out of their box and go through different stages in life to be able to broaden their knowledge of what is known — an experience mixed with uncertainty and excitement. A journey allowing us to discover something new and unfamiliar and often unexpected.

PROJECT ONE

“By replacing fear of the unknown with curiosity we open ourselves up to an infinite stream of possibility. We can let fear rule our lives or we can become childlike with curiosity, pushing our boundaries, leaping out of our comfort zones, and accepting what life puts before us.”

- Alan Watts

THE KNOWN PLANS

overlayed plan sketches exploring relationships in density, dynamics and form method: charcoal

stairs to pyramid sculpture city to sea bridge

city to sea bridge

THE KNOWN SECTIONS

overlayed section sketches exploring relationships in density, dynamics and form method: charcoal

wellington city

civic square

stairs to pyramid sculpture pyramid sculpture pyramid sculpture city to sea bridge

THE UNKNOWN SECTIONS

overlayed section sketches combined using different blending methods and are mirrored creating lines that pierce the known and unknown plane

wellington city to civic square section

stairs to pyramid section

city to sea bridge to lagoon

combining drawings in different orders and blending mode

people using umbrellas

the series of drawings illustrate the experience of a person at a certain point over a given time

city to sea bridge in relation to the nearby lagoon

FURTHER EXPLORATION

COMBINING THE KNOWN AND THE UNKNOWN

wellington city

civic square

stairs to pyramid sculpture

city to sea bridge

FINAL DRAWING INTO THE UNKNOWN

PROJECT TWO

Driven by the extraction of architectural form represnetations from the previous project, the design of the pavilion highlights the connection of architecture and perception. Piercing lines incorporated in the design shows how architecture is experienced by the user as they move through the dimensions of the space - blurring boundaries of what is beyond as well as above, and below.

INITIAL MODELLING

drawings are perceived in 2-dimensional sections and plans that are represented as 3-dimensional iteration models materials: aluminium wires, steel sheet, wire mesh

UNDULATE AND LINKAGE

FURTHER EXPLORATION

PLAYING WITH PERCEPTION

REFLECTION

the reflective backdrop mirrors the model above it creating an illusion that the form extends below as if it pierces through the surface

FURTHER EXPLORATION

PLAYING WITH PERCEPTION

SHADOWS

shadows casted by the form of the models are extracted using illustrator to create block of shapes suggesting a solid form which are further abstracted then exploded to create exterior skins

CONSOLIDATING EXPLORATIONS PAVIILION DEVELOPMENT

CONSOLIDATING EXPLORATIONS TERRAIN EXPLORATION

Cascading form of iteration three is further explored. Plaster bandages are used to coveer the models which casted solid forms capturing the “cascading” contours

Plaster is poured on to the casted forms which resulted in topographic contours that resemble the terrain of a canyon valley

FINAL PAVILION DESIGN AS ABOVE SO BELOW

PROJECT THREE

The conceptual pavilion is refined through the creation of an exhibition quality model. Various modelling techniques are explored such as Laser Cutting, CNC, Soldering, and Plaster Sculpting. This project shows the process of creating the 1:100 scale model of the Canyon Pavilion and its terrain as well as showing the issues that led to considering different methods of assembly. This resulted in a cohesive structure that supports the elements of the model held together as a unified whole.

PROCESS CANYON PAVILION STRUCTURE

Reflecting the materials used in the digital moel of the Canyon Pavilion, the main steel structure is modeled using aluminium wires that are soldered together.

3mm MDF is used for the exterior skin of the pavilion through laser cutting that are then painted in black. The long spanning floors incorporates a shiny steel sheet at its surface.

PROCESS CANYON VALLEY TERRAIN

a 300mmx300mm GolFoam block is used to create the base of the canyon terrain. The CNC router was not able to capture the unique cascading contours and depth of the canyon valley due to default limitations

Because of this issue, the preferred contours of the canyon is moulded using wire mesh, plaster bandages, and plaster.

To capture the layering qualities of the canyon, a toothbrush is brushed along the moulded plaster while it was still damp.

The dried terrain model is then painted with the orange shade “lobster.” However, the colour was too bright and glossy which did not resemble the colours of the canyon. A brownish matte paint “ochre” is then lightly sprayed over the model.

CANYON PAVILION EXHIBITION MODEL

ASSEMBLY PLINTH AND EXHIBITION MODEL

The model is elevated 10mm from the plinth which will emphasise the canyon terrain. Morever, the mini plinth is designed to increase the height of the model from the given plinth which will aid the viewing of the audience.