Final Critique - Suzanne's Group

Believe it or not, pouring the concrete was my favorite part of the project. I've worked with concrete and mixing it before so this wasn't my first time, but experimenting with different aggregates and watching everyone fumble around pouring the water and quickcrete was quite amusing.

Mold

This was one of our "experiments." Later on we decided to make the top and bottom flat, without waves. We incorporated having the waves meet one another on each side which was different from the model previous to this one.

Desert Models

These are pictures and the model of what our final model will eventually look like. Two larger cubes in the middle and two smaller cubes on the outside. They will be big enough to see from the road when one is driving, but small enough that they won't block vision or be a hazard to the people walking in and out of the medians.

Final Exhibit - Pathways Edges Boundaries

Overall, I feel like this project helped me connect on a more personal level with some of my group members. I'm not sure if i agree with the project as a whole because sometimes it seemed more of a hassle than a learning experience, but it gave us all a chance to get our hands dirty and open our minds to new ideas from eachother. I like group projects, when their structured better, because I think it helps us to see things in a new way that we might not of saw by ourselves. Then again, as with our group, some things were left to only a few people, and the stress levels went through the roof. Hopefully, our final model will actually turn out like we're hoping next semester and the "desert" median will no longer be a dry, barren wasteland.

Top/Section Views

These are the top & sectional views of the smaller concrete squares which will be on the outer edges of the line of four boxes; the two larger being in the middle.

Final Dialog Model

In creating my final model, I found that the most helpful aspect of the model was securing each structure on a base that connected the two. Not only did they have a dialog between the intertwining skewers, there was also dialog at the base because they led to one another.

Dialog Process

In the beginning stages of my brainstorming, I immediately thought of the idea to make a structure that "intertwines" with the other. Japanese houses came to mind, and a sort of hotel-like structure, but as I begin to play with the board and skewers, things didn't work as planned. However, in creating a base, I was able to build up from there and alternate the dialog every other box.

Dialogue Questions

How is dialog created?

In my project, I had two distinct spaces. One "tower" was connected to the other "tower" by means of the skewers, which in turn, intertwined the two and created a dialog between them.

How is a sense of space/place defined?

Place/space is defined by the open boxes I created in each of the two towers. There is multiple negative spaces around the perimeter of the boxes and skewers also. However, most of the empty space comes from with the boxes created by the "tower-like" structure.

How is the idea of system generated?

Each square was made of two pieces of bristol board then later added was a top piece and bottom piece to finish the square into a cube. Ever other box had three skewers on each side, which corresponded to the other tower so the skewers could inter-twine.


How does joinery support the project concept/strategies?

Joinery came from the skewers that inter-twined with each other. The stability of the cubes allows the towers to stand up straight all together. However the twelve skewers on each tower help interlock to make twenty-four which creates for a more perfect "dialog" concept.

How is scale utilized in the project?

All of the bristol pieces are exactly 4x6 and then folded in half to make the boxes. The skewers are spaced evenly apart so they would interlock perfectly to make the "box" image when looked at from above.

How do 2-D images add to the understanding of the project?

Two-dimensionally, my project is proportionate from each side. Three squares down on one tower, and three squares down on the other tower.

How did the initial project idea evolve?

First off, I tried to created a four-box tower for each side, having the two "skewered" boxes in the middle of both, but this weighed down my project and made it less stable. After toying with the idea a few times before gluing, I saw that three squares would be sufficient and more stable and using the leftover bristol board, I created an even more stable base connecting the two towers even further into dialog.

Dialog Project

Final Unity Project

My final unity project came together nicely. I created a piece that was "unified" in such a way that there was a sense of order in my design. Once I learned how to work with the stubborn bristol board and rubber cement, I made a space that wasn't "crowded" in design, but had an open and repetitive approach.

Final Unity Project

The idea behind my unity model was to make a uniform "pattern" throughout the model. Each side is a mirror of the other, hence allowing the model to come together as a whole.

Project Comparison

I felt my project closely resembled Bray's. We both used a structure similar by using the skewers and incorporating them with boxes. Bray's is more symmetrical and identical in construction, while mine is almost "random" but still has its own unique pattern to it.

Final Twig Project

A close-up of the Final piece. I zoomed in on the yarn woven in & out of the paper to hold it together in the "tipi" shape. Overall, my project had a similar shape to that of a "tipi" but I strayed away from that stereotype and created my own touches. The sticks were all painted black except one that remained a light color to let it stand out. Underneath, where you could see the sticks all branched out, I left them unpainted so as to see their "natural" look. I left the paper white, but used colored yarn to add some punch. The binding agent was a black hair-tye type piece which allowed some movement with the sticks but not too much, so they would still remain close-knit as a bunch.

Final Twig Project

"A place for a 12 Twigs"

A step further....I chose to construct a "tipi" shape by simply cutting and folding the paper into itself. The yarn/thread will be woven into the paper in such a way that can possibly connect the twigs with the paper as one. This shape evolved from the previous "tipi" to create more of a "place for 12 twigs" rather than simply a "tipi" in itself. By developing this shape, it will give the twigs more attention rather than simply using them as an accessory.

"A place for a 12 Twigs"

Not quite in its final stages; this "model" helped me visualize the actual "tipi" shape more effectively. I originally chose to display the twigs on the outside of the model, but later decided to keep all twelve bunched together on the inside. The only binding agent used was tape, but later will be something more strong and sturdy.

"Twig" Precedent

This image is of a motel, in the shape of a "teepee." My model started out in a more simplified version; just a triangle with twigs outlining the structure. After I studied more "teepee" like structures, I decided to change my model to be more cylindrical like instead of sharp-edged and triangular. Immediately, when I gathered twigs, I thought of a "teepee" just because it served as a house, but close in nature...like that of the twigs. After actually seeing a piece of architecture in this shape, it helped me realize that my model would indeed look better more rounded and sturdy.

"A place for a 12 Twigs"

A McDonald's fry...or a place for 12 twigs. I made an origami "envelope" to begin with, but along the way began to remind me of the fry package that McDonald's fries come in; hence, the twig/fry relationship.

Final Leaf Model

This was our first project; creating a "place" for a leaf. My general idea reminded me of a book in my house. Its a very old Bible, and it sits in this sort of holder to let it stay open and display how beautiful it is. When creating a place for a leaf I wanted to put the beauty of the leaf on display. My leaf was bright green so I decided that a black background would enhance the color, but the white display almost complimented the two other colors represented. The black has a wave effect to add life to the model, but nothing takes away from the leaf presented in the middle. It is the center of attention and has the spotlight.