Altering Volumes

0. About Studio

The BIG Re-think Tectonic Materiality of Interior Elements

Master Tutor: Prof. Kireet Patel

Studio Tutors: Rishav Jain, Aparajita Basu

Assistants: Jay Odharia, Jhanavi Parikh

Brief Outline:

The Big Rethink is a series of postgraduate interior design studios focused on developing a multitude of notions, approaches, positions and arguments within the interior design field.

This semester, the fourth one in the series, the studio challenges the concept of Tectonic Materiality of interior elements. It offers an opportunity to develop a design position in different contexts by questioning preconceived notions of interior design. It emphasizes the relationship between Interior elements and tectonic materiality through experience, organization and construction.The studio focuses on representing experiential and ephemeral qualities, planning and organising strategies, detailing and construction techniques, exploring the relationship of interior elements and tectonic materiality.

Learning Outcomes:

After completing this studio unit, the student will be able to:

Ability to develop a systematic argument/position/approach on the interdependence between interior techniques and practice.

Ability to translate/represent the design argument/position/ approach through 3- dimensional and material based outcomes.

Ability to organize and evaluate the programmatic and pragmatic potential of derived design position.

Ability to build a design vocabulary and test it through the selected context (site/program).

Accent walls were cast in corrugated cement with a green oxide pigment

Columns were clad in sheets of Mild steel and then lacquered.

Custom designed chandeliers that we created in the entrance. The chandeliers are hand crafted with Mild steel pipes with ends fabricated in rings o amber coloured resin.

On entry are two symmetrical curved mid-century timber and brass that create an intimate entrance foyer

Ex. 01

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Specialisation of sensibilities

Knowing Architecture and Interior Sensibilities & Interior Specialisation

Project Information

To study and analyse architecture as architecture, Interior

sensibilities and interior specialisation. To understand interior specialisation.

Output : Handdrafted floor plans and sections

Exploded Isometry

Process:

Three projects were selected under the title architecture as architecture, Interior sensibilities and interior specialisation. Each project was studied and analysed. One project was selected and analysed furthur, from which each of the headings was understood and differentiated.

Hand drafted plans, sections and isometric view

Repetitive Patterns

Ex. 02 | Design Optimization

Familiarising - “Know it more through - Optimization”

SubTitle

Tori Tori Santa Fe by Esrawe Studio was studied in detail. The design how spatial quyality was achieved and material tectonic. After learning the interior specialisation of the building an abstract design was made from the essence of the project learnt. As a group a model was made exploring tectonics and materials.

Output : Physical Model

View 3

Matrix 1 - Regal Shoes

Matrix 2 - Deco Temple

Ex. 01 | Tectonics & Materiality

Part 01 | Exploring concepts of Tectonic Materiality

Project Information

The aim of the exercise was to conduct case studies based on three areas: historical era, current modern practices and independent role. The case studies were then analysed based on what does material tectonics inform and what does it contribute to? and an argument was derived from the learnings.

Process:

Stage 01 : Developing an argument Select relevant projects from recent practices of interior design

Stage 02 : Stating an argument Develop an argument in reference to derived analysis from the study done.

Matrix 3 - The Atelier

Matrix 4 - Mandalay Hall

Matrix 5 - Shop no. 851

Matrix 6 - Bruder Klaus Field Chapel

Matrix 7 - Craft

Can density and porosity of an interior element alter the volumetric dimension of a space ?

Can arrangement of elements through modularity alter volumetric dimension of a space ?

Can vertical modulation of solids alter volume of space ?

Canvertical modulation of solids alter volume of space ?

Can arches create visual hierarchy within a space ?

Can duality of an element alter the spatial configuration ?

Can materiality of an interior element enhance spatial quality ?

Can curved surfaces act as a medium to alter volumetric dimension of a space ?

Can alteration to fenestrations modify the geometry of space?

Can fluidity of curvilinear planes contribute to visual expansion of a space ?

Can altering the nature of material alter spatal composition ?

Can repetition of elements add to the geometry of space ?

Hypothesis :

Can density and porosity of an interior element alter the volumetric dimension of a space ?

Week 07-08

Module 02 | Role 01 Historical practices through a project representing an ‘era’

Historical

Practices through projects Representing an Era

Project Information

The experience of space is understood through the elements, compositions and moments one may encounter in the space. This is seen through a visual study of how light, texture, color, material and tectonics play out in a space.

Output: Photomontage

Process:

The site chosen was faculty of architecture, cept. The main aim was to retain the essance of the site. The intention was to asses how the proposed intervention can be woven into the existing structure while studying its effect on the space. Th e main factor kept in mind was to create emphasis on the machines displayed through the modulation of materiality in the space and how volume can be altered.

Inferences

Criteria for selection of ‘Material’

Material was selected with the intention of retaining history and also in a way it blends to the existing structure. Material was used to design elements for different functions. was chosen in a way to maintain the existing structure language.

Criteria for use of ‘Material’

Material has been used to see if the intervention of the element can bring about an alteration of the volume of space.

What ‘Material’ has been used?

Wood have been used as the main material to create elements. They are joined together using wooden joinery.

Where ‘Material’ has been used?

Material has been used to design space making elements and podiums for exhibits

Vertical wooden battens used to create space and break the linearity of space by introducing another volume.

Wood stacked to create levels which functions as stairs and podium

Process sheets

Selected Site Images

Week 09-11

Module 02 | Role 02 | Organizing ‘Materiality’

Current modern practices through a project representing a ‘Standardization’

Organizing ‘Materiality’

Project Information

Organization and space planning involve the systematic laying out of space making elements. Considering that some arguments and design intents involve an array of elements, while the rest require volumetric explorations.This visual composition leads to more clarity in the design.

Output: Plans, Sections, Isometric Drawings

Process:

The site selected was Ekalavya Foundation Building, Bhopal designed by Biome Environmental Solutions.Site as a shell which encapsulates all that lies within and acts as a barrier or threshold between the ourside and inside. Interior as a conduit for introspection, the experience the user gets while interfacing with space triggers them into intrsopect. The effect of introspection is not bound by time spent experiencing the space. The arrangement of machines are in such a way that each reveals as one moves forward creating a sense of curiosity.

Section BB

Section CC

Detail 1 - Plan

Detail 2 - Plan

Detail 1 - Section

Detail 2 - Section

Detail 1 - Isometric Drawing

Detail 2 - Isometric Drawing

Detail 3 - Section

Detail 3 - Isometric Drawing

Joinery Detail

Singular material creates a sense of cohesiveness. Single matetrial used to design elements with different functions. To explore how density and porosity of the element help in altering volume of space.

Wood has been used as the main material which has been joined using inter locking joineries to create elements. Elements were designed in a way that it guided people to each exhibit and also in a way the exhibit was revealed only as they walked forward.

Inferences

Criteria for use of ‘Material’

Singular material creates a sense of cohesiveness. Single matetrial used to design elements with different functions. To explore how density and porosity of the element help in altering volume of space.

What ‘Material’ has been used?

Wood has been used as the main material which has been joined using inter locking joineries to create elements. Elements were designed in a way that it guided people to each exhibit and also in a way the exhibit was revealed only as they walked forward.

Where ‘Material’ has been used?

Material has been used in designing space making elements, staircase, seating, to display exhibits.

RatchetWinch

RatchetWinch

RatchetWinch

RatchetWinch

RatchetWinch

RatchetWinch

RatchetWinch

RatchetWinch

RatchetWinch

Week 12-16

Module 02 | Role 03 | Materialising the Interior Specialisation Collaborative practices through a project representing an ‘identity’

Materialising the Interior Specialisation

Project Information

Details of elements, junctions and construction assemblies all inform the production of spatial experience as well as organization. Hence, it is necessary that a language of detailing be designed and worked on.

Output : Experiential Views

Process:

The concept was to explore curvilinear surfaces. The design intends to create an experience of being inside a monolithic shell. The modulation and definition of the volume is explored using the elements too by creating varitions in heights and enclosures. Through material manipulation a feel of fluidity and transperancy is created in the space while creating a sense of visual continuity.

Space Making Element

Space Making Element

Layering and variations in height help in creating visual focus to the exhibit

Layering and variations in height help in creating visual focus to the exhibit

Different functions

Depending on the design requirements one can modulate curved surfaces using the material. The curved surfaces form micro spaces within the larger volume, that informs the spatial configuration and organization of activities. The strong visual tension of the design is derived from the dramatic confrontation, bringing a brand-new sense of lightness through the porosity of the material.

Criteria for selection of ‘Material’

Porous material was selected to design a dense element to have a lighter spatial experience. Porosity of the element also helps to create a sense of curiosity.

Criteria for use of ‘Material’

The material has been used to create intrigue for the user by playing with density and porosity. It also creates curvilinear forms used for volumetric exploration of the space.

How ‘Material’ has been used

The material has been suspended from the ceiling using ms sections which are welded to the ceiling with a ms plate. The edges of the material are joined using angle sections.

Depending on the design requirements one can modulate curved surfaces using the material. The curved surfaces form micro spaces within the larger volume, that informs the spatial configuration and organization of activities. The strong visual tension of the design is derived from the dramatic confrontation, bringing a brand-new sense of lightness through the porosity of the material.

Junction Detail

View exploring spatial quality

View exploring levels and connections

Initial View

Initial View

Forward:

Interiors and architecture have been part of human habitation for centuries now, through all these times an interior architectural design has been characterized considering all the responsive factors. The concept of what the user sees primarily varies from one user to other. But what still remains the core is how the space is perceived in its entirety. There are various design decisions that contribute to meaningful interiors.

One such example can be metal grid curves as a space making element. The material as a medium can contribute to the overall aesthetics of the space. Every material can be seen as a physical entity. But the aesthetics of expression include scale, proportion, joints, junctions, dimension, and material for the appreciation of the elements and space as a virtue of ornamentation.

Depending on the design requirements one can modulate curved surfaces using the material. The curved surfaces form micro spaces within the larger volume, that informs the spatial configuration and organization of activities. The strong visual tension of the design is derived from the dramatic confrontation, bringing a brand-new sense of lightness through the porosity of the material. Peter Zumthor says, "this singular density and mood, this feeling of presence, well-being, harmony, beauty ... under whose spell I experience what I otherwise would not experience in precisely this way." Zumthor's passion is the creation of buildings that produce this kind of effect.

From the composition and presence of the materials to the handling of proportions and the effect of light, this poetics of design enables the process of design.

- Peter Zumthor