Saturday, November 13, 2010

Sneak Peak!!!

So I have been telling everyone about how crazy this term has been and how tiring but I wanted to give ya'll a sneak peak of what I have been up to this quarter in Form Space and Order.  When my final project is finished, which I hope will be on Sunday, I will post a complete overview of what I have done this quarter at Sleep Comes After Death (or SCAD).

Here is a view of my Form and Space Models!
  


 Here is a sample of my maquette of my cube! 

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Our Principles

Axis

The axis is a line around which spaces and forms are organized. It is not a visible line, the axis can be strongly evident, powerful and dominating as it is this image, where the large fireplace plane forms the central axis. There are also evidence of secondary axis in this image in the perspective view of the window and the wood paneled wall.



Symmetry

There are two basic types of symmetry, bilateral and radial. Bilateral symmetry is balance that is achieved through the arrangement of similar elements on either side of a central axis line, so that the two half's are almost mirror images of each other. While radial symmetry is balance that achieved with the arrangement of radiating elements.

This image shows an example of bilateral symmetry. It can be divided down the center with each element reflected or with an equivalent element on the other.



Hierarchy

Hierarchy is simply the principle that helps to show significance or importance in an form or space. It's importance is denoted by the either by its size, shape, or placement in relationship to other objects.

The simplest example that popped into my head is the size relationship between a headboard and a foot board. This image show how traditionally the headboard is larger and more prominent in the design of the bed as it denotes where the head is placed.





Rhythm and Repetition

Rhythm is design is characterized by a series of repeated elements that creates unity. While repetition is duplication of an element to form a pattern. These principles are often used together as they help to emphasis a trait in the design.

In this room elements of repetition and rhythm are evident, in the use of identical chairs and also in the herringbone or zig-zag pattern of the rug.




Transformation

Transformation is the principle in which forms can be altered by a series of manipulations. This room has many different configurations as a result of the transformation of this gridded wall changing into a three piece bathroom.



Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Scale vs proportions


PROPORTION & SCALE


Do you know the difference between proportion and scale? Okay so this took me all of my 2-D class to understand, ya I know I'm slow. But once I got IT I knew that I would never forget. So to help anyone who doesn't no the answer to that
problem (or that took more than a minute to think about it) heres some help.

Proportion as defined by Websters is "a harmonious relationship of parts to each other or to the whole." So to break this down proportion is basically looking a something and comparing the size of its parts/elements to the whole. Like I can look at a building and think those columns are much to large for that building. See I'm comparing the columns (an element) to the building (the whole). Proportion!

Golden Section

The golden section, also called the golden mean, is a mathematical system of proportion that is used to create harmony in art and architecture. It can be defined as the ration between two section of a line. The golden ratio is an irrational mathematical constant, approximately 1.6180339887.





The Orders

The Greeks have given the world a lot of things, epic poetry, philosophy, democracy, gyros.... But when I think of 
Greece I think Parthenon, temple front, marble! Maybe its all the architectural history courses that I have taken or
maybe its having read both the Iliad and the Odyssey twice. 

The ancient Greek mathematicians and architects created a system of proportions to create beauty and harmony
with in the design of the buildings. The three main orders are Doric, Ionic and Corinthian (better know to the 
public as the plain one, the circular eye one, and the acanthus leaf one). 

 These three sets of proportions are so harmonious and pleasing that they have never really gone out of style 
from that time until now. The British Museum, with its use of the Ionic Order, is a great example of this enduring 
popularity. (Fun fact while the buildings facade is Greek Revival, dating back to the early 1800's, the museum 
houses the almost complete original frieze from the Parthenon.)
  
Renaissance Theories

During the Renaissance, in the 16th century, there was a large revival of classical architecture from the Romans and even the Greeks. One of the most important figures in this revival was Andrea Palladio, who was a Venetian architect that wrote The Four Books of Architecture in which he put a twist upon the traditional orders of proportions.

Palladio's Villa Foscari is a wonderful example of his proportions.


The Modular

Unlike the Classical Orders the Modular is a relatively modern proportioning system. It was developed by famed architect Le Corbusier in the 1920's. Le Corbusier used the golden ratio in his system for the scale of architectural proportions.  Yet he based it on a system of human measurement. He used this proportion system in his Villa Savoye.

Mies van der Rohe also designed with a modular system. His famous Glass House is based upon a system a proportion system. 


The "Ken"

Is a traditional Japanese unit of measurement that was created in the last half of Japan's Middle Ages. The ken is an absolute measurement which is based upon the size of a floor mat.








 Anthropomorphic

Anthropometry according to Websters is the study of human body measurements especially on a comparative basis. These dimensions are used in design of furniture to optimize products.  




 


Okay so thats Proportions! Now Scale!
  
Scale


A proportion determining the relationship for a representation to that which it represents. Also a certain proportionate size, extent, or degree, usually judge in relation to some standard or point of reference.