Minh Le ARCH 21 ( M-W ) Fall 2010
1. Preface 2. Roof & Ceiling Study 3. Iterations 4. Framework 5. Final Iteration 6. Conclusion Minh Le
Arch 21( M-W)
Fall 2010
Preface Ending the first haft of semester, I have prepared myself a clear and good comprehension of two architectural elements : Floor and Wall. Studies and model makings (images) help me understand how to use these two important element in creating spatial experiences and expressing the architectural intention in my design. Entering the second half, I am introduced with the next element: Roof and Ceiling. This second half of semester, along with getting familiar with new architectural element- Roof/Ceiling, I expect to deepen my tectonic language and get myself ready for the next studio class through new element studies and new learning techniques. This portfolio and following pages are about my progress to achieve those goals and challenges, starting right after mid-term. Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Roof & Ceiling Study Like Floor and Wall studying in the first half of this semester, I have the chance to go outside and experience around the city. So then I decide to go somewhere that I do not go very often because I want to find or possibly experience something new. Wandering around Pier 1, I come upon the Embarcadero Center which I have never known existed. What coincidence when I am trying to look for something new, and I find it, so I think why not come check it out.
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Roof & Ceiling Study (cont.) I am impressed with the design of the Center and of some other buildings nearby. As I pass through all 4 centers , I encounter different spatial experiences responding to different spaces that their floors, walls and ceiling create.
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Roof & Ceiling Study (cont.) I learn that the different height from the ceiling to the floor, and the orientations of the wall will create different tension, therefore corresponding different spatial experience.
I also like how the opening in the ceiling allow sunlight get down to the lower level and become one with the stairway as well. Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Roof & Ceiling Study (cont.) Recalling back the visit at California Academy of Science, the building roof is one of my favorite. I like the use of its roof as adjusting and controlling the sunlight, wind, heat, etc. Even the frame itself is impressive.
The use of these little windows on roof is also brilliant. They do not open at the same time, but they seem to have their own purpose during the day.
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
First Iteration As the matter of time conflict, I decide to pick up from the last iteration of the Floor & Wall temple-model.
I keep in mind the idea of tension sloping roofs create within space, so I employ that idea into the last model from the first semester instead of just putting a simple platform on top as the roofs. Also I left open space to let sunlight in.
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Iteration 1 As the critique goes, for the next iteration, I will need to show the skylight more clearly and how to make the outside space not “totally outside.�
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Second Iteration From the first attempt, I keep the roof of the main room (A) and have a little fix. For the hall-way and the outside space (B), I lower down the wall and turn it into the path. I put the roof on top of the outside space, and turn it into the Inner Space of Human Mind. The roof of the Inner Mind is in curvilinear shape to be the contrast for the rectangular-shape roof of the Main Room.
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Iteration 2
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Third Iteration Get into this point of development, I decide to make a new design for my temple. The original idea is from the last change of the 2nd iteration. I want to keep the main design which contain two different spaces ( Spirit Room & Inner Mind) and try to connect them together.
The designs of the two spaces’ roofs (rectangular and curvilinear shapes) are kept the same from the last iteration. Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Iteration 3
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Fourth Iteration In this iteration, I start to use abstract form in my design. I change the geometric-shape of Inner Mind with an abstract-space formed by putting walls (without a particular order) together. The Spirit Room’s walls is more considered. Lower/ higher ceiling and sloping wall help create specific space that I want.
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Iteration 4 I put the abstract-formed Inner Mind in this iteration to have the contrast to the geometry-formed Genius Loci. However, the critique in class help me realized that these two spaces don’t seem to work and relate back together. So I definitely need to have some changes for the next iteration(s).
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Fifth Iteration The critique of the 4th iteration suggests me to have some parts connect the two structures together, such as walls or roofs. Therefore, I add some curvy-element that is one-hand a part of the Inner Mind, and another-hand connect to the Genius Loci. Also, to maintain the abstraction for the overall design. The form of the Spirit Room is changed with no symmetries of any kind. The skylight and window is combined from the skylight of iteration 3 & 4 and added into the Main room.
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Iteration 5
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Frame Work/ Skeleton Framework is another technique I have come to know in this half of semester. It helps me frame the structure of the architecture, helps me know which and where are the supporting points and main sections, and it also helps me find the weakness and strengths of my design. For this practice, I decide to frame my very last iteration. I change the form of the curvilinear elements and try to make those pieces less arbitrary and more intent.
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Skeleton
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Final Temple Iteration – Final Project I start this project a week before the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend right after the practicing of framework. I come upon some obstacle, such as how to bridge the two spaces (Genius Loci & Inner Space of Human Mind) together coherently so that they fit into the whole program as the unity. I also have a difficult time designing my site for the temple. In the previous iterations, my site is an uneven ground which embraces and surrounds my whole temple in which the temple is built and grown from. However, its intension is not very clear responding to the program. Previously, I always design the site after the program in order for it to work with the temple, but it seems like I’m not quite getting to the point where the site and program become one. Therefore, for this final chance, I decide to make a clear idea of what the site will be first, and then design the program to work with it.
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Final Iteration – The Site Looking for the compelling site that will support the sacred notion of the temple, my mind cannot choose one particularly. It’s like hitting a “dead-end” with no choices other than giving up and going back. Ironically, that is when I get my inspiration. Not only for this project, but also during this semester, my mind have come to the “dead-end” so many times that I lost count. I decide to make my site represent that “dead-end,” the situation that has come up many times during my learning progress. And my temple, my architecture, my design will be the answer, the new approaches and new possibilities that will lead me out of that “dead-end.” Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Final Iteration – The Program The architecture is grown and rooted in the site: Supporting columns is built right off the ground up to the roof, stairways are rooted in the site.
As I enter and reach to different spaces, I will have different spatial experiences.
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Site Plan
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Spatial ExperienceInner Space of Human Mind The Inner Mind space is embraced and surrounded by the temple structure and the site itself. The enclosed space, the only opening is the skylight, makes me not desire to linger there very long. I feel like looking for an exit, an approach to the next level.
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Inner Space of Human Mind The skylight above allows sunlight in to lighten the room during the day. It is pretty much the only light- source that prevent me from walking in the dark. There is a bench in the center of the room to help people gather around or to direct the traffic. It keeps me and people go around and experience every detail of the space instead skipping it and go directly to the stair way in the west-side.
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Spatial Experience- Stairway/ Path After entering the temple through the Inner Mind space, there is stairway that would leads me to the next level. The stairway go around the architectural structure and the site, smoothly lead me going up. For each step upward, I get the feeling of getting out of that “dead-end,� that pit. I feel more comfortable and excited to see what await me ahead.
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Spatial Experience- Nature The stairway has gotten me out of the dead-end. And now it’s time to enter the space where I can be with nature. I’m totally exposed to the environment. I’m truly out of that dead-end. The Nature is the space where I can rest and look back my experience I have in the Inner Mind and get ready to enter to the Genius Loci. The Nature is the stop between two spaces : Inner Mind and Genius Loci. It is the space where I can reflect back experience I have in either one of those two spaces, and possibly compare those experiences. Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Spatial Experience- Genius Loci After getting myself all ready, I’m entering the Spirit Room- the Genius Loci. This space is both “private” and “public.” It’s private by enclosing of walls, and it’s public by the existence of the big window and skylight that allow me to have a view to the nature and the sky. Relating back to my inspiration of my design, the Genius Loci represents the new hope and new perspective. As I walk into the Spirit Space, which is right under the skylight-or under the light, and look out to the window, I see the horizon and the beauty of nature. I see another world. It’s beautiful and promising. Nothing is like when I first see the dead-end.
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Genius Loci The structure of the Genius Loci is put right on top of the cliff and growing outward. It leads me to the far distant view of the new world.
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Some Design Elements *Window Frames: As I was a child, I usually put up my hands up and use my fingers to make the picture frame to see the world. As it comes to designing the frames for window and skylight, I think why don’t I make different shapes instead of several same-size squares. So each time I look out the window through those frames, I have different views and different perspectives of the world.
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Some Design Elements Roof Shapes: The shape and form of the Genius Loci are kept the same as the last iteration because I think what I have is the geometrical shape, so I should keep it and get rid of the curvilinear elements; the site itself is already curvilinear. For the roof, the shape is repeated through out the design (Roof of Genius Loci, Skylight of Inner Mind and the Nature space) For the Skylight of Inner Mind and Nature space, the shapes draw psychic lines that point to the next level of temple (as shown in the diagram). Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010
Sum-Up In my own opinion, I believe this semester has become a successful class for me. Toward the end of the class, I finally develop a better tectonic language in my architectural design. I understand the use of three element (Floor, Wall & Roof/Ceiling) and how to put them together as one piece. I have learn a lot of techniques that will help me a lot in designing, putting my idea s into gesture model form and for the next learning experience, such as: diagram, site analysis, section, framework, etc. This class has been an incredible class. My classmate and professor are all very nice and willing to help me whenever I need advices or suggestions. This class experience help me ready for the next studio class challenges ‌
Minh Le
Arch 21 (M-W)
Fall 2010