Component 2: Part 2
By: Maya Duarte
Wavy walls inspired from ocean
In the drawing above I have sketched out a potential interior to go with my exterior SketchUp design, adding a café space with outdoor green seating To develop and interlace my ideas even further I have created a SketchUp using the same components inspired by different ideas generated from my secondary research such as the curvy beach house apartments and the Japanese wave paintings.
Japanese wave paintings
Projection from above
Parallel
Second Sketchup Development
In this development model I used the curves found in my organic forms research, focusing on the wavy, fluid movements to contrast my previous development. I also was particularly appealed by the fish scales and wanted to incorporate them into this model specifically as my secondary research also used wavy structures with scaling exteriors.
Here are some primary research photographs of a hornet’s nest that have influenced my SketchUp development above of the fish scales.
Wall features inspired by wave curvature, sticks out from the vertical wall
Sharp, angular features inspired by crystal primary research
Initial roof curve
Research into outdoor and indoor Spaces
Often in aquariums, there are many other facilities alongside the aquatic life such as cafes and outdoor seating areas. In order to create a fulfilling aquarium, I will be looking into several outdoor seating layouts and indoor café interiors to see what features they all equally have.
Outdoor Spaces- Luna Wood park
-Use of wood
-Separated and joint seats
Outdoor Spaces- Oishii Park
-Interesting curved forms
-Also, a use of wood materials
Indoor Spaces- Café at Victoria and Albert
-Incorporates art within the café -Outdoor spaces/greenery
Outdoor Spaces- Al Mahara Restaurant
-Incorporates an aquarium within the restaurant
Semi Final SketchUp Proposal
During the creation of my SketchUp model, I encountered some troubles with how to merge both my curve and angular ideas together without the model looking peculiar. I used the curved model and the angular model shown below to create this idea.
Here are the curvature and angular models that have inspired my SketchUp development which have been previously explored, but I wanted to merge these ideas and take them further.
I believe there is still more development to be done in this SketchUp for my final piece, but I think this is a good example of merging the two previous SketchUp developments given the curvature and sharp angular shapes.
My final model is a reflection of the design trajectory in this project, from the research into different architecture that are inspired by organic forms in sea life, to functioning aquariums of interesting architecture. I believe my aquarium would function effectively in both visuals and entertaining ways as there has been careful consideration into how the aquariums would affect the exterior such, one design choice made from this is the lack of windows.
The curvature forms in this design are stemmed from my primary research of the curve within sea shells, but also inspired from the curvy houses in my secondary research. However, as observed part of the building also includes angular, sharper forms which were inspired by the crystal shards I photographed. During development I made the decision to incorporate both curvy and sharp forms because both are prominent in sea life.
First Floor of Aquarium
Second Floor: Different Aquarium Spaces
Third Floor: Aquariums and sea life themed cafe
The colour pallet was inspired by the surrounding ‘Wood Wharf’ apartment complexes that are situated next to and near my site, this is why there are hints of wood in my design. The main material is textured stone which was a decision inspired from my research of caves, this material will also be reflected on the interior as it creates a atmosphere for sea life
Exterior Detailing:
TheFinalModel
In my final model I created during the 15 hour exam, I attempted to recreate my SketchUp model as seen previously as approximate to detail as possible which I believe went well as they do resemble one another.
The raised platforms on the left hand side are representatives for the skyscrapers that surround my site, during the designing of the landscape I decided that I wanted my model to appear on an elevated platform for visually aesthetic purposes
Evaluation
On the whole, I believe my final model is a manifestation of the written brief and specified criteria as I have designed an aquarium inspired by organic forms, most memorably looking at Gaudi's work in terms of how he transforms patterns seen in animal life to stained glass windows or exterior framings, his methodology is reflected in the trajectory of my project, from my use of primary research into organic forms that have lingered their way into my final model as seen in the mix of curvature fixtures alongside angular walls.
Another way in which my final model was able to match my brief was that it was a requirement that my aquarium was shorter in length in comparison to the surrounding skyscrapers of Canary Wharf. However, to successfully do so without making it seem out of place I had to research into a few aquariums of different sizes to visually observe what an architecturally successful aquarium looks like. My secondary research has informed my final decision to create a mixture of both short and taller aquariums by creating different levels that are distinguishable from the exterior, providing a contrast to the surrounding buildings with the shorter department while also creating a blend with the tallest point of the aquarium.
Furthermore, looking back at my final model an aspect I could have improved on was perhaps including more smaller details like where the main doors would be. However, I did include door detailing in my SketchUp model which will allow a form of perspective of how the building functions with pedestrian pathways.
Overall, I am quite satisfied with my final model and how I was able to replicate a 3D version of my SketchUp model.
