Case Study_Maritime Youth house, Plot, Copenhagen, Denmark

IMG 1.1


IMG 1.2


IMG 1.3

arcspace entry

Case Study_ Emporio Armani, Fuksas, Hong Kong

IMG 1.1


IMG 1.2


IMG 1.3


IMG 1.4

arcspace entry

Case Study_ Yokohama International Port Terminal, Foreign Office, Japan

IMG 1.1


IMG 1.2


IMG 1.3

arcspace entry

Case Study_ City of Culture of Galicia, Eisenman, Spain

IMG 1.1 Site: Santiago de Compostela, Spain


IMG 1.2 Volumetric Analysis


IMG 1.3 Competition Model

arcspace entry

Thoughts_Structure as an Educator

This model is the product of an exploration of steel components based on my steel research thus far. Here is my attempt at combining a set of steel produced pieces into what could be considered a complete structural system. I can imagine the bronze wire to be bent steel tubing, the spaghetti to be tension cables (perhaps supporting glass and steel panels or corrugated steel), and the cardboard to represent more traditional steel elements (beams, gusset plates). My goal was to harmonize a series of steel components through an intricate array of connections including welds, rivets, and machined connectors. I feel it would be interesting to use the structure of the museum itself to eclectically display a variety of steel uses throughout the material's existence, and thus educate the visitor in an architectural sense and at the same time use this idea to "customize" construction.

Case Study_Richard Serra- Steel Sculptor

IMG 1.1 "Wake"


IMG 1.2 (Title Unknown)


IMG 1.3 "Tilted Arc," Federal Plaza, NYC


IMG 1.4 "A Matter of Time," Guggenheim, Bilbao


IMG 1.5 (Title Unknown), NYC

Thoughts_Ribs + Ribbons

after some initial pasta charetting (see nate's post), i have been investigating way to redefine the role that steel can act as structure or as skin, primarily in conjunction with nate and jill. the idea is to have it act as both in the form of ribbons that sweep across the building, sometimes acting as skin/wall, sometimes allowing for controlled penetration of light, sometimes acting as primary structure for curtain wall. at this point, we are primarily focusing on refining this system and finalizing a general form, always keeping program and siting in the back of our minds. we should quickly be able to refine program once this system has been further refined. below are some quick formz models based on earlier pasta models.

scheme 1

here is a quick study of the potential of swept ribs. the space between the ribs would allow for the penetration of light. this approach could be further refined to more carefully control the entry of light: in areas, the ribs could touch so that no light could penetrate (like in an auditorium).


img_1.0 - largely transparent


img_1.1 - largely opaque

scheme 2

here, the ribs twist to accomplish various functions. at their start (at the narrow end of the structure, they act as traditional lap siding. at the midpoint, they function as above to support clerestory windows. at their terminus, they are perpendicular to the space to act as the primary support in a curtain wall system. see jill's post for siting.


img_2.0 - plan


img_2.1 - front elevation


img_2.2 - perspective


img_2.3 - aerial perspective

Thoughts_Skin--Curtain Wall--Structure [Pasta]

In thinking of exploring the innovative use of steel, first I considered the conventional use and perception of steel as a rigid, straight, and pre-fabricated/standardized material. In order to redefine steel as a material-- to show its potential beyond typical use, I then thought of how to create forms in opposition to these notions.

Partially in response to the flow of circulation throughout the old steel mill, seen in the curved rail lines found in old drawings, I began to think of a fluid, curvilinear form that would act as a skin, curtain wall, or even structure of the museum.

Boiled pasta allowed us to experiment freely and revealed the potential of fluid shapes made from sheet steel, tubes, and beams. In these models I explored, overlapping, layering, rolling, folding, and bending the pasta. The images below show the progression of these studies.


IMG 1.1 Curtain Wall / Skin


IMG 1.2 Curtain Wall / Skin


IMG 2.1 Skin


IMG 3.1 Structure / Skin


IMG 3.2 Structure / Skin


IMG 3.3 Structure / Skin


IMG 3.4 Structure / Skin

Thoughts_Pasta Charrette

Two trains of thought began to form after Monday's charrette. Pasta models were the primary focus of the charrette, but the time was also used to express ideas and preconceptions of the project through sketches, cardboard models, wire models, and digital models. As the charrette went on, Mike and I began to see our ideas pointing in the same direction and we began to work on a scheme together. We initially have taken a loosely form follows function approach--more developments on that to come soon. The images below are some of the models that resulted from my charretting efforts on Monday and have led to the new developments soon to be posted.

1-3/4 view of pasta model

2-Interior view of pasta model

3-Elevation of pasta model

4-Top of pasta model

5-Skin test, view 1

6-Skin test, view 2

Thoughts_Charette

After the charette on Monday, the group proceeded to pursue two schemes. The images below show the process of the scheme developed by Jason, Nate, and I. The layout began from the historical plan of railroads and transportation within the site. The main inward line to the site was indentified as a major axis and studied as a point of entry into the project. The sketch below shows the cornucopia, or rounded horn, type shape that was revealed from the railroad lines branching off this main axis. The orange shows intial ideas on circulation with the program branching off towards the water.

1- Sketch

In a form Z model, Jason began to explore the idea of a series of ribbons that ran along these railroad lines from the main axis and revealed the structural and flexibility capabilities of steel. It stemmed from the steel functioning as a solid wall, ceiling, and curtain wall frame, and the twisting and evolving between forms. The images below show the possibilities this ribbon forms and the spaces that can be formed within and between. It is a way to integrate the innovativeness of steel with the historical rectilinear forms and structure.

2- Sketch showing ribbon forms

3- Elevation sketch based on above plan

4- Aluminum foil model

5- Aluminum foil model