BENV1010 Week 5-6

Model Building Using Paper

I chose to model the living room in the apartment I live in - I chose this room as it is the most interesting with multiple doors and windows which open outward. I found that paper was pliable and easy to work with however it lacked sturdiness and I would use deeper tabs next time to give the structure extra support. I used a scale of 1:20.

Model Building Using Cardboard

Again I modelled the same space but using cardboard this time. My expectations was that cardboard would be easier to work with than paper as it is sturdier, however the cardboard I used was thick and did not fold easily. I also made the tabs deeper on this model which held the structure together better than the thinner tabs I used on the paper model. I used a scale of 1:20.

I later went back using tracing paper to add in the glass for the windows and fly screen door for the back door. 

Paper vs. Cardboard

While paper is less sturdy than cardboard I found it easier to work with as it folded much more easily - however I think I would like to try using a thinner cardboard in the future as I think this would combine the ease of folding with a more sturdier material. 

As I found the cardboard was quite thick and difficult to manipulate I decided to try a different approach and experiment using a template instead of gluing individual walls together. This model I used a scale of 1:50 as I was starting to run out of cardboard and didn't have enough to make another 1:20 scale version. 

This time it was much easier using cardboard from a template especially as I made an incision along the fold lines to cut halfway through the thick cardboard which allowed the edges to bend much more easily while still staying together. 

Despite finding an easier way to manipulate cardboard, I still enjoy the cleaner, crisper look of using paper. 


Using Paper Again with Folding Techniques

After learning some more folding techniques I applied this to a re-vamped design of my living room. 
I gave it a higher ceiling and curved diamond patterned roof and folded sliding door. I also used deeper tabs on this model so that the walls were more supported.

Below are some more folding techniques which I practiced.

I found the new folding techniques an exciting exercise as I have always enjoyed paper folding techniques including origami. I struggled to fold a few of these techniques correctly the first time as many of them required a square piece of paper and cutting a perfect square was challenging. I ended up using another folding method to help me make a perfect square so that my folds lined up correctly. 

In reflection of this weeks exercise I believe I will need a lot of practice at developing my model making skills in order to be able to communicate my design more effectively. In particular I found that I was rather messy with the glue and aligning the edges of the model to stick together. The edges could also be improved I believe if I had folded them harder before sticking them together. Upon viewing the photographs it was clear that the creases could have been deeper. I will work on improving these skills when creating my next models. 

Fusion360 - Transition Space

I based my Fusion360 diagram off a transition space/thoroughfare through my home - the hall way - and two of the adjoining rooms connecting to it.

Template scale was reduced to 1:2 instead of 1:1 due to the oversizing my original design. 

I found Fusion360 a challenging software to use to communicate this design. I practiced several times to get each of the rooms to connect correctly using the tongue and groove method. I made several mistakes throughout which required me to go back and fix each and I did numerous checks once the model was complete to ensure that everything lined up correctly. This was particularly good exercise for developing my conceptualisation skills - having to visualise the building and how it would connected together in my mind. I also draw a small plan on a scrap piece of paper to assist me with this and guide me through the process. 

BENV1010 Week 4

BENV1010 Week 4

Group Composite Image

Image by: Patrick Dowers, Jessica Robertson, Kristen Obeid, Cassandra Watson, Jaquie Hall (2020)

Group Infographic Image - 5 Data Visualisations 

Image by: Jessica Robertson, Jaquie Hall, Kristen Obeid, Cassandra Watson, Patrick Dowers (2020)

Group Orthographic Image - featuring pedestrian movements through the site 

Image by: Patrick Dowers, Jessica Robertson, Cassandra Watson, Kristen Obeid, Jaquie Hall (2020)

Group Curation & Design Journey Image

Image by: Cassandra Watson, Kristin Obeid, Patrick Dowers, Jaquie Hall, Jessica Robertson (2020)

BENV1010 Week 3

BENV1010 Week 3

In the studio we practiced drawing orthographic views of the wooden tray we crafted in a class. Using a scale of 1:20mm I completed a top view, side view and cross-sectional view of the tray. 

Image by Author (2020)

Our third visit to site involved measuring the layout of the site and recording this on graph paper using pencil. 
Each member of our group took turns measuring the dimensions of each section of the site using either a 1 metre wooden stick or estimated steps. As our site was 40m x 40m we used the scale of 1:200 (each 5mm square = 1m).

On a seperate occasion I recorded the pedestrian use of the space and patterns of direction I noticed pedestrians taking. I recorded an average of the three main paths taken by pedestrians. 

Blue path - students leaving from the northern exit of the student residential accomodation
Pink Path - Students leaving/entering from the southern exit of the student residential accomodation
Purple Path - Students walking across the grass to access buildings near by (interestingly using the slope of the grass not the built wooden stairs provided) 

Next I scanned my floor plan on graph paper and uploaded this into Illustrator and used as a guide to trace in the site plan and added in key features, lastly adding in the pedestrian movements. 

Image by Author (2020)

BENV1010 Week 2

BENV1010 Week 2 Studio

We had our second visit to our group site on UNSW this week. 
We captured examples of the design elements and principles used in our site.
All photos by Author (2020).

Lines and direction (of lines) - Repetition of vertical and horizontal lines across the outside of the building breaks up the mass concrete texture and creates vectors which draws onlookers eyes across and up the building.  

Shape - The use of long rectangular shapes elongates the building both vertically and horizontally. Most obvious shapes along the outside of the building are the jutting horizontal concrete balconies and the vertical timber pillars. 

Texture - The majority of the building is smooth concrete, however this is broken up by the leafy texture of the ferns and solid timber planks which along with their colour pop against the monochrome of the building. The grates covering the windows (for privacy) also play a part in breaking up the smooth exterior.

Colour -  The bright orange stripes amongst the greys of the concrete are a stand out feature and bring brightness to the utilitarian modern concrete structure.

Proximity - the double door access to the building is situated ideally next to the lifts inside.

Alignment - The connecting vertical and horizontal lines of the steel and the connection of the concrete pavers link together in an aesthetic grid. 

Repetition/pattern - The repetition of small shrubs and timber beams along the concrete walls of the building add a natural element to the mass grey of the structure.

Contrast - The bright green of the ferns and shrubs is a pleasing pop of colour amongst the variety of greys of the concrete walls of the building, the retaining walls and concrete pathways.

Space and Balance - The open green space is nicely situated next to the concrete building, providing balance to the site as the majority of this space is built.

In our group we also worked together to find examples of specific Built Environment features. Some of the features I located were:

Retaining Wall - Situated along the side of the building for the plant beds of shrubs and ferns.

Safety Element - The stairs up to the double door entrance includes lines along the stair edges for visibility while climbing the stairs, a hand rail for the full length of the stairs and tactile stamps to prevent slippage.

Pedestrian Desire Line - Pedestrians through this walk way have been using the slop of the grass rather than the two timber stairs provided to access the green space

Cantilever - A prominent structural element of the building, also provides shade in late afternoon sun.

Lighting - Light's feature on the two framing pillars of the main entrance.

Colour swatches were also obtained from the site using Adobe Capture. Below are two examples of colour swatches I selected using photographs taken at the site.

Swatch 1 - Fern bed against concrete wall

Swatch 2 - Foyer entrance with orange feature 

Infographic for Data Set

In our groups we selected the data sets for which to make our infographics from. 

I selected the 'Weather' data set. This particular data set appealed to me as I am currently also studying Landscape Analysis - in particular the effect that weather and climate have on Sydney's specific regions and the microclimates of the sites we investigate. 

Three words I have selected to describe my data set were:

1. Atmosphere
2. Season
3. Temperature

Below are images which I have collected regarding each of these words to help with colour inspiration for my infographic and the swatches I have taken from each. 

Atmosphere
Image by Side Perkins (2018) - https://www.sciencenews.org/article/18-miles-book-about-earth-atmosphere-climate-weather

Swatches using Adobe Capture:

Season
Image by Shelli Jensen (2016) - https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/four-seasons-row-lime-trees-102937733

Swatches using Adobe Capture:

Temperature

Image by Meilun (2020) - https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/meteorology-thermometer-temperature-celsius-vector-16882018) 

Swatches using Adobe Capture:

Weather at UNSW Infographic
The data set I worked with contained temperature taken on 25th Feb 2020 at UNSW across the morning, afternoon and evening.

To highlight the cooler temperatures of the morning I used the colour blue taken from my 'atmosphere' image swatches and red from my 'temperature' image swatch was used to highlight the warmer temperatures of the afternoon-evening. 

I also added in the average temperature across the day in a green swatch from the 'seasons' image as an extra feature to highlight the mean temperature of 23.75 degrees celsius.