Final

This semester had been a great learning experience. Final presentations went great, and I feel like overall everyone received great reviews. I know everyone would have wanted to see another curved wall added, however my partners and I feel strongly about our proposal and we were stubborn with our diagonal walls. Our project could be improved ofcourse at a later time, but for now I feel like it is a strong proposal.

Posters

My group is continuing to work on our renders to put on the posters. Photoshop has really enhanced our pictures! Going to try to enjoy thanksgiving while trying to finish our posters and studying for structures!

Letting the parking lot influence this parti limited us in extending the building northeast. It appeared to work with the existing parking lot, but when only the ground of the building was drawn, the shape became awkward. This parti did not meet our satisfaction in that we were aware that there are
various other design possibilities that could function better for the library.

We moved the curved wall down more to create more
interior space. The curved wall would have to be knocked down and re-built; this was not the best solution for, it is not practical to knock down an existing wall only to rebuild it.

We created a new wall that would still have the windows that visitors could sit alongside. Getting rid of the half arched roof and curved wall was an idea that got rid of the character that the standing library holds.

Our final parti combines our first two ideas. We decided to keep the existing curved wall and use it as a separation of spaces. The windows would be taken out and wooden elements will be put in place as separators. This wall would help keep out the noise from the children’s area at the other end.The space created between the curved wall and new wall design would best serve as a separate quite reading area. An exterior reading area will sit right outsde the reading room.

The Architect

As it was mentioned during class, an architect randomly thinks about his/her design through out the day and comes up with ideas. To me this is what makes an architect's thinking process distinct. The article I read talked about the process of a  DIY project. The main process is to create a checklist of items to get and a checklist of the steps to take. Even though an architect always has a mental checklist, ideas could randomly come up while laying in bed. Of course every architect can approach a project differently, but they all have a mental checklist nevertheless. This relates to the picture that I posted in that architects are constantly thinking about what the next step is and how to go about it. Architects have to think about every single detail, for it all affects the language and design of the building. 

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.