Process Book D2 Spring 2022 - Emily Stanker

DESIGN 2 PROCESS BOOK EMILY STANKER SPRING 2022 THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY PROF. CAROL HERMANN

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

PROJECT 1

FORM, SPACE, + ORDER: ANALYTICAL INVESTIGATIONS

6

PROJECT 2

MONDO MATERIALIS

8

PROJECT 3

PRECEDENT + INVENTION, STRUCTURE + INTENTION: IMAGINING RESEARCH AS ARCHITECTURE + SPACE

12

P R O J E C T 01

VISIONARY DESIGNERS

14

P R O J E C T 02

TECTONIC MAQUETTE

16

SEMESTER REFLECTION

PROJECT 1: FORM, SPACE, + ORDER: ANALYTICAL INVESTIGATIONS

This research, documentation, and analysis project done in pairs focused on a case study house: the Tower House.

The skyscraper treehouse is located in Ulster County, NY designed by Gluck+ as a vacation home for Thomas Gluck and his family. The Tower House is a stairway to the treetops as a bold yellow staircase leads guests to the elevated main living area and rooftop.

The spectacular views of the Catskill Mountains from inside the home are due to its small base footprint of only 430 square feet. Blending in with its surrounding environment due to its reflective exterior, the home is incredibly sustainable for its natural cooling and core heating and has a unique rectangular fenestration pattern.

4

THE TOWER HOUSE GLUCK+

5

PROJECT 2: MONDO MATERIALIS In order to abstract the Tower House, four key concepts that best summarize the Tower House were selected: Bold, Pattern, Reflection, and Proportion.

A conceptual hybrid drawing and a 3-D model were developed based on these four concepts.

The house itself is extremely bold amongst a forest of green and tries its best to mimic the trees with its height and reflective exterior. This is where the yellow dowl comes into play in the 3-D model amongst a cluster of tree branches and surrounding plexi glass. The pattern of the Tower House is shown in the conceptual hybrid drawing as it resembles the unique, tall strcutre of the house that is proportionally unlike the average home.

6

BOLD PATTERN REFLECTION PROPORTION 7

PROJECT 3: PRECEDENT + INVENTION, STRUCTURE + INTENTION: IMAGINING RESEARCH AS ARCHITECTURE + SPACE

N

8

0’

4’

8’

16’

In this project, the task was to design a small cabin that exemplifies the design principles of the Tower House in a dematerialized way. The E+ Cabin is a remote companion piece to its mother house and serves as a research tool for students and a residence for scholars who cannot visit the famous house to study it in-situ. Collectively as a class, the site for a community of cabins was studied, and analyzed so a community path could be decided. As for my cabin, experiences similar to those of the Tower House were designed. Amazing views are seen from the special, private second floor and deck for the resident while views can also be seen from the public first floor with guests.

E+ CABIN

9

E+ CABIN 10

Similar to that of the Tower House, the circulation of both sets of stairs in the E+ Cabin lead one to the tree tops. The interior stairs thread through the intersection of the two floors creating a nice flow between the spaces. The minimal base footprint creates a covered outdoor area leading to the back yard that path-goers can easily access with permission from the resident.

A gateway over the path formed by the cabin creates a unique spacial experience for walkers. The fenestration pattern is inspired by the Tower House while the windows are reflective blending the environment with the home and creating interior privacy. To finish off the home and the day, the sunset can be enjoyed from the front or west side of the E+ Cabin.

VIEWS PRIVACY OUTDOORS 250’

225’

200’ 0’

4’

8’

16’

11

PROJECT 01: VISIONARY DESIGNERS

Learning from leaders in the world of sustainability and architecture is key for ones own growth. Janine Benyus, a natural science writer, innovation consultant, and author, teaches biomimicry. This is where the forms, processes, and systems of nature can inspire sustainable human innovation to solve the greatest design challenges in solidarity with all life on earth. Humans should solve problems the way nature would, which is why Benyus is implementing nature’s 3.8 billion- year-old solutions into the making of a healthier planet.

12

JANINE BENYUS

13

PROJECT 02: TECTONIC MAQUETTE

14

This small project was completed in parts with the intention of bettering ones craft in model making and drawing. The exploration of tectonics was done along side project 1 to assist with the drawings and models that had to be made for the Tower House. The key lessons from producing a tectonic maquette were a better understanding of materials, jointery, line weight, the conventions of architectural drafting, and of how construction details work. The values of patience and good craft practiced here will carry over into every project from here on out. Plus, contour lines were explored in this project to produce a small plot of land for the mini home to rest in and interact with. The final product forced the mind to think about what can be improved for future designs.

15

SEMESTER REFLECTION: The end of this semester left me eager for my second year of architecture school to begin. My second semester was a time for discovering my true strengths and weaknesses. Working on the three major projects of this semester truly tested me; seeing how I can work well with others while keeping my composure with those who maybe not have the same work ethic as me. Working with others as well as running my ideas by them is extremely eye opening because it showed me that everyone’s input and critiques are only beneficial; they are not to be taken personally. I can adapt my designs as well as myself to any challenge thrown at me during the design process to complete every project the best it can be. Each of the projects has also broadened my knowledge on design, model making, drawing, and presenting. As for presentations, I recognize that I can give a thorough one that explains my projects proudly, but they must be more concise and to the point in the future. Thinking abstractly comes naturally now when critically analyzing a case study house. In future design classes, I know what I should do to add a wow factor to my projects with my even broader knowledge of architecture. After project 3, I know many of the factors to consider when designing a functional and stunning home that interacts well with its surrounding environment. Moreover, I am ready for my continuation of architecture school and to learn even more architectural skills to carry me into my architecture career.

16

250’

225’

200’ 0’

4’

8’

16’

17

Emily Stanker Spring 2022 CONTACT INFO estanker5@gmail.com 609-501-5598