Lecture And Tutorial Blog: Week 7

Lecture

Landscaping:

This week’s lecture was very inspirational in its exploration of landscaping, and how it can be effective on a multitude of scales. I had not contemplated the significance of the garden or courtyard in any depth before this lecture and the biblical connotations and historical relevance in Islamic traditional design made me consider the garden as a space of rest, paradise and contemplation. The impact of renaissance landscaping can still be seen today, through the powerful treatment of level changes and the importance of a ‘moment’. The Villa Medici, and the many other villa’s overlooking Florence, show the significance of a garden connecting to a multitude of scales as significant moments of looking over Florence and the Cathedral are defined by openings, plants and geometric style. The Villa d'Este, located in Tivoli is more inward focussed as it creates a closed of, lush oasis away from the arid surroundings. In particular the water features, originally pumped through only hydraulic power, create micro-climates and moments of refreshment and awe. The styles of the Renaissance can be seen throughout the world today in many modern designs, and 2 examples were given from both Canberra and Sydney. Canberra is a very interesting city, as it was designed completely as a landscape, with each important space or building connecting with the cental man-made lake and the two hill axes. Furthermore, two urban regeneration public landscaping parks in Sydney were explored. These parks highlight the more modern way of thinking of landscaping as an ecological process over time and use. Furthermore, the Paddington Reservoir separates itself from the outside through being sunk below the busy street, in contrast to the raised hillside Florentine Villas.

Tutorial

Feedback on Project 2:

I came to the tutorial this week with Project 2 completed, however could only bring photographs of my model to Uni due to the poor weather. I received positive feedback overall, however there were still a few areas that needed improvement, as described below.

Material Study (Exterior Glazing):

The feedback on this study was very positive, however, as my two models focused on the importance of light in blurring the private and closed of urban house, my tutor felt that my axonometric should focus on another aspect, for example the lower boundary walls.

The Psychological Relationships (Rooms in the Old House looking out from above)

This study needed more work in order to effectively explore the powerful role of these rooms of rest. Firstly, both the tutor and I agreed that the section was too simple and very ineffective so consequently had to be changed or much more detail had to be added. Secondly, the sketches of the rooms seemed to lack depth, however this could be effectively solved through the inclusion of a background landscape that can be seen through the stud framing.

Circulation

The analysis of the circulation was very well received, however the sharpness of the exploded axonometric could be improved through limiting the gradient shading to the floors of the house, to highlight the lines of circulation and the walls.