(Re)presenting – A Play with Light

(Re)presenting – Shadow sketches

(Re)presenting – Final Models

I am proud of my final model. The way the sticks make blurry shadows behind the trace paper. The way the cube cut-outs create tunnels which cause you to flip the model in your hands in order for you to peer down all possible roots. The way different size cubes stack up to equal each other. The way it explores ideas of both solid and outline. The way the change in the direction of the grain creates horizontal and vertical lines.

When we came together we were pleasantly surprised. They work so well together! There are many ways to stack them together – which loosely links with one of our early ideas: that the distinction between horizontal and vertical is ambiguous, they are interchangeable for each other.

Our final models explores horizontal and vertical lines in a three dimensional form. The way line is used to create shapes, define spaces (around and between) and create tunnels or ways to channel views. Lines become the essence of 3D form.

Our shadow drawings will be projections of the models. This will mean that the models are reduced back to 2D, that the 3D form will be lost and line is the outstanding feature.

(Re)presenting – Sketchup Plan

I need to be more free. I should be designing while I am modelling, not working from a plan. I need to use the model as a design tool.

Make the boxes different sizes. Trace paper. Loose the small tunnels. Less calculated.
Also I should keep in mind Frankie’s model.

Although they are two different explorations we want them to sit side by side and suit each other – making it obvious that they are designed in the same theme taken from the same central idea. I think I can achieve this by making a 10x10cm empty box in mine, as this is the structure Frankie has created.

(Re)presenting – Sketch Models

The collection of smaller cubes explores ideas of joinery, horizontal and vertical bases and possibilities created with contrasting materials.

Stacking the smaller cubes to make the large cube is an idea we came into the tutorial with. The smaller cubes are blocks that the audience could arrange, giving them a choice to make horizontal OR vertical lines.

I left the tutorial with a similar idea, except that the structure will be rigid. Frankie has gone in another direction – cubes within cubes. We will each make one cube, and present them together, showing different ways the same theme can be explored.

(Re)presenting – Initial Idea Sketches

From the space we have taken the theme of line – horizontal and vertical. There are a number of things to explore within this idea:
- Shadow
- How it becomes ambiguous - what is up? And what is across?
- Flow/direction
- Contrast
- Framing
- ...

After discussion it seems that our model will focus on line and shadow. Use balsa sticks to define vertical and horizontal (one cube of each). Cut out within the sticks are shadows cast within the space, particularly those created by the surrounding angular buildings. The shadow cut outs could be painted black.

We spent most of our time discussing how we could attach the sticks to the base and what material the base would be made of? This is what we are planning on finishing for next week.

Rendering – Final Work

I am happy with the final design – although, it is not what I originally intended. I was planning to create a subtle, lightly coloured presentation where the house plans and sections almost glowed because of the surrounding trees, rocks and water. But the bright, bold colours, the layout and the shape of the house create a ‘treasure map’ vibe, and I think this works well. It’s fun, bold, and has exaggerated the aspects of the sight that made the clients fall in love with it. As a rendered drawing i believe it is successful. (I agree with the tutors comments that the plans should have been drawn with a thicker pen.)

However, I do not feel the class taught me as much as I had initially anticipated. I had hoped to gain an understanding of HOW to render drawings – different techniques, types, and materials... However, what I learnt was more about WHAT to render – highlights, features and shadows... Overall one of the most useful things I took from the class was a handout – it has conventional illustrations of a variety of trees in both plan and elevation.