When printing our posters, we noticed that one was way too dark and gloomy- something pointed out in the critique. This is an easy fix for future posters. More importantly, it was brought to our attention that our goals were not clearly seen on the boards. Also, we are now thinking about making our new walls curved to follow the same language as the existing curved wall. We are going to keep moving forward with our design of the building and posters.

Ornament is looked down as decoration that was used previously by architects meaning that it does not fit in with the views of modern architects.  It is said in the reading that "Ornament was symbolic of historical forms of architecture." We learn in our architecture history lectures of all the elements that make up every era in architecture. Each one being specific, such as a rose window defining a Gothic church in Gothic architecture. However, why can't modern architecture include elements from other "historical forms of architecture" and still be considered modern. Modern architecture seems to be known for, as said in the reading, "less is more." But what if we no longer categorized architecture by ornament/decoration.

Architecture is more than just looks and function. Of course the intention of architecture in the beginning was meant to just put a roof on top of our heads to protect us from the rain. That is no longer the only reason for the continuation of architecture. Modern architecture should have a bigger focus on the experience rather than its basic function. Of course an architect can meet the regulations and codes for a building, but an architect's bigger challenge is creating a great experience with his or her design. Each and every building is different, and the experience in each will also vary accordingly. The architect has to find the best way in which to create a space that users will be attracted to.

I do agree with the author in saying that "the value is no longer in the hardware." Hardware has been the driving force in design time and time again through every architecture style. However, who says that this has to continue to be the way architecture is? Modern architects can design freely without having to continue to use certain ornaments. There are countless amounts of cars and phones and they all have the same basic function. Both the car and phone were invented for a sole purpose, but every year the designers and engineers try to create something new, something that will give its user a better experience. Architecture is also designed to serve a better experience for the people that it was not able to provide before.

Every style throughout time has its own ornament that separates it from the rest. Well modern architecture is set out to be different. Architects strive to be acknowledge and to stand out-this can be achieved by creating a different experience without specific hardware-by no longer being traditional.  Being able to design freely opens so many possibilities to the coming age of architecture.

Sketching

We are continuing to sketch out the reading area and courtyard. We have moved the courtyard to be in front of the reading area. Also, we messed with the roofs and the staff area to make our renovation more dominant.

Sketching

Sketching out the reading area is definitely helping develope it. We are moving to have exposed wooden beams and a curtain wall. Our design for the reading room has changed drastically since Wednesday.

Model

Wednesday 15.

We made a model to be able to better understand how our addition works with it's site. The reading space we have incorporated into the building has to be further developed. We are trying to figure out how it will correspond with the site adjacent to it.

Revit for dummues

Today's lesson on revit was pretty helpful. Even though I have used revit almost every semester there is still so much to learn! Knowing how to set up a curtain wall properly is going to be much needed in the future.

Proposed renovation

Now that we have a basic design party for our proposed renovation, we need to keep developing the spaces and site. Our addition to the building will affect the site and, we have to change the parking on the northeast side to fit with the building.

http://www.architectmagazine.com/Images/0511_AR_Toren_Polidori_002-001_tcm20-753750.jpg?width=600

Mass customization in architecture has evolved from the failure of mass production. Although mass production used to work for society in the sense that the first automobiles were made this way, it is an idea that is completely neglected. No one would want to see the same building being built over and over again nor would we want to own the same home as our entire neighborhood.

In architecture, mass customization can be used to satisfy the client and allow for the architect to carry out his/her design . Architect's work is often driven by the construction process and budgets. When the cost of materials increases, architects have to take away from the design more and more to meet the client's budget. Very rarely are materials chosen without cost being an important factor. This can be solved by the mass customization of materials.

Larger buildings can benefit from having the same restrooms installed on each floor, mass produced curtain walls on towers, etc. Instead of a firm designing a typical curtain wall tower, the design team can customize their own façade by using mass customization. In this way the design of the building will be unique and will still satisfy the client. This idea provides an easier and faster route for the designers and the construction process.

Units fabricated off-site and shipped to the site have proven to speed up the construction process because the units are assembled faster on site. Less time used to construct means less money.  Also, because the units are fabricated off-site in a controlled environment, this ensures quality work. The construction employees also benefit from a controlled environment. Because of this, details in the design can be paid more attention and done better than if they were designed on site. As mentioned before, mass production also reduces cost in that the budget can be controlled better. The examples given in chapter six have used mass customization, and prove that it continues to work in the profession today.

As supported in the prior text, the profession of architecture extremely benefits from mass production. Already designed units limit the architect's design. Instead custom units open up vast design possibilities. Mass production is being used more as we advance in technology. Buildings are being built faster, and people are saving money. As stated in Refabricating Architecture we cannot imagine that one will fit "all projects, all sites, and all clients." Because of this reason, customization is continuing to move forward to fit every unique situation. And I believe that mass customization should continue to be incorporated in future designs. 

Presentation

Today's presentations went well. It was good to see how various other library spaces were. 

I did say "like" through out my presentation, but it is just such a hard habit to break!

Today's class

I haven't had much experience with creating a topo surface on revit or at all. I am excited to start working on the parti's and keep developing them to get started on the design part. 

Posters

Today my partners and me continued to work on our case study. We are currently still working on the area of the floorplans and the layout of the posters.