ROMANCE. SURVIVAL.
A story of love between one man and the downstairs vending machine.
SUMMER DESIGN INSTITUTE 2016 Works by Kirk Gordon, during his time at the University of Virginia School of Architecture.
CONTENTS
Introduction
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Week 1 - EXTRACT
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Week 2 - HYBRIDIZE
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Week 3 - TRANSLATE
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Week 4 - SITUATE
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INTRODUCTION
Ren Hang, Untitled, 2013
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V I S UA L AT L A S
“...a collection of images intended to bring before our eyes, in a systematic or problematic way – even a poetic way, at the risk of being erratic, if not surrealist – a whole multiplicity of things gathered there through elective affinities...”
Techniques: Cutting Truncation Window Boxing Negative Space Pattern Aggregation Linear Highlights Radial Arrangement
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PLANETARY NARRATIVES Shown here is an exploration of the multiplicity of narratives that exist within social, technological, geophysical, biological, and planetary contexts. Radiating outward from a central timepiece, concentric layers move between human and nonhuman imagery, exploring evolution, rippling, gravitation, simultaneity, and other non-linear temporalities.
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PEOPLE - {visual studies}
“People differ in their proficiency at tracing the outlines of another self, and thus their ability to love also varies.� - Thomas Lewis
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WEEK 1 - EXTRACT
Villa Sarabhai, Ahmedabad, India
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RESEARCH
“The country is tropical. The monsoon rages for two months of the year and is an alternating combination of downpours and sunshine. A western architect has spent his life learning his profession...but he must adapt it to antagonistic requirements: comfort is coolness, it is the current of air, it is the shade.�
Case Study: Villa Sarabhai Architect: Le Corbusier Location: Ahmedabad, India Year Completed: 1955
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D I AG R A M M AT I C E X P LO R AT I O N
“Why is sketching so indispensable as a design thinking aid? In the context of a design search, sketching is taken to be an a priori, inherently creative process, in that through it new artifacts are brought into being.�
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DEVELOPING A VISUAL LANGUAGE A personal system of representation was developed, iterated, and modified in order to explore the specific characteristics, concepts and phenomena derived from our case study research.
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SPATIAL ORGANIZATION North to south, vault walls
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SPATIAL ORGANIZATION East to west, wall termini
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UNDULATIONS Changes in ceiling height
First floor
Second floor
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FLOOR MOVEMENT / INVITATION Emphasis on transcendence beyond structural boundaries, into the garden
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FOOT CIRCULATION In relation to the corridors created by structural walls
First floor
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Second floor
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INTIMATE VS. COLLECTIVE SPACE An organization of hospitality
First floor
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Second floor
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LIGHT INTENSITY An inverse relationship between morning and afternoon
Morning
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Afternoon
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DREAM FLOW Movement of day beds from day to night
First floor
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Second floor
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WIND FLOW In relation to air humidity and sleeping locations
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NETWORKS: GROUT VS. GROWTH PATTERNS Transitions in materiality on the rooftop garden
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WATER FLOW Atop roof and rooftop garden, into gutter spouts and pool
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VEGETATIVE FORMS IN VIEW First and second floor comparison
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WEEK 2 - HYBRIDIZE
Favela Bolada, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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A L G O R I T H M I C O P E R AT I O N S
“The problem with digital architecture is that an algorithm can produce endless variations, so an architect has many choices.� - Peter Eisenman
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OPERATION 1 Identity 4 spatial units from your case study
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OPERATION 2 Combine 2-3 units into a superunit, mixing multiple case studies
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OPERATION 3
OPERATION 4
Array 1 superunit 10 times
Combine 2 superunits, array 5 times
20ft
OPERATION 5
OPERATION 5
Aggregate 1 superunit 3 times, scale 1 unit 2x
Aggregate 1 superunit 3 times, scale 1 unit 5x
10ft
100ft
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100ft
OPERATION 7 Select one permutation to develop further
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I N H A B I TAT I O N
“There is no logic that can be superimposed on the city; people make it, and it is to them, not buildings, that we must fit our plans.� - Jane Jacobs
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PLACEMENT The challenge of this exercise was to design in reverse -- to retroactively place an existing structure into an auspicious location. With its narrow, terraced form, we found our aggregate to be well-suited to the dense, steep conditions of a Brazilian favela.
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INTEGRATION STUDIES
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MATERIAL PROGRAMMING This evolved design engages with the climatic and socioeconomic conditions of a favela in Rio de Janeiro, addressing issues of water access, public space, and flood destruction. The design features various interventions which mediate the flow of water while offering opportunities for public space and gathering.
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Erosion Control Programs: • • • • •
Concrete block slopes (seating, vegetation) Lateral channels (connection & dispersal) Pools (gathering, seating, water access) Central channels (vertical circulation) Rain barrels (filtered water collection)
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W E E K 3 - T R A N S L AT E
Model of Observatory Hill, on the UVA campus
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LANDING, ETC
“The specific site functions like a partition or container for a muse who may, through design, reveal hidden aspects of a given place.� - Christophe Girot
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SITE EXPLORATION
Observatory Hill, UVA campus
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DIAGRAMMING
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Understory density (top left), water flow (bottom left), group collective study (above)
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MODELING
“Models are significant not only as aids to the decision making process, but also as a means of generating, searching and investigating creative impulses.� - Nick Dunn
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Materials: 1/16” chipboard 1/16” acrylic (sanded) 1/16 ” wooden dowels Pins String White paint Marker
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TERRAIN AND FLOW Our group created a pancake model to explore the topography of UVA’s Observatory Hill and its influence on the interrelations between traffic, water, and vegetation. String is used to chart the flows of people and water upon the hill. A hatch pattern and acrylic overlay map vegetative density both on the ground and at the canopy.
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W E E K 4 - S I T UAT E
Final design (atmospheric collage)
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S Y N T H E S I S & T R A N S L AT I O N
“Each new situation requires a new architecture.” – Jean Nouvel
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER In our final exercise, we worked to collect the techniques and sensibilities of our case studies and translate them to a local context. Using insights gathered during our site visit to Observatory Hill, we developed a design proposal which celebrated and expanded upon these previous ideas. The final design elasticizes our favela concept to fit the contours of Observatory Hill. Taking inspiration from Lina Bo Bardi’s Glass House, pavilions are strategically placed to create provocative sight lines through the vegetation. Pulling ideas from the Acropolis and Topotek 1’s Superkilen park, we developed a material lexicon of pavements to inform circulation and highlight different areas along the path.
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SPECIAL THANKS
Big fat thanks to Tat Bonvehi and Leena Cho for being amazing facilitators, educators, and mentors, and for always pushing us to go further. Even if it means drawing tiny bricks for seven hours straight. On a Friday night. Also, to the TAs, Ana Cubillos-Torres, Moh Ismail, Karilyn Johanesen, and Hao Zhang, for doing all the things and then some in order to support us in our work this summer. Also, shout out to Seth Denizen, Luis Pancorbo, and Ryan Carbone for showing us how to make our things look not like crap. <3
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