Individualisation - 5

Today, we had to present our two sheets to Anna, Will and the class. Firstly, we started off by Geoff giving each person something to design, which will be for our next project. I was given summer house, with measurements of 8mx5m. I wasn’t entirely sure of what a summer house was, so I asked the people around me who said it’s a place to relax and similar to a gazebo. 

During the course of the presentations, someone had forgotten to do a floor plan which made me realize that I also have forgotten to draw one as well. I noticed during everyone’s presentation they have used Photoshop to put their design into context, which is something I should trying doing instead of always drawing it out. I took noticed that Anna and Will mentioned to nearly everyone about scale, by putting a small model figure can make us understand the scale and how it’s used. This was something I knew I haven’t done for this project and the previous ones, so I know I need to buy the small figures or to use Photoshop to put silhouettes into my images. 

For my presentation, the comments made by Anna and Will were similar to what I have found out from other people’s presentations such as it needs a floor plan, and figures for scale and to use Photoshop. Will said that he likes the strip window that goes around the tree house, but suggested that it’s better if I took out the Mirrorcube image and research from the sheet, since it’s a bit too similar with both of our designs. After the presentations, my friends mentioned that I was not loud enough, they couldn’t hear when I was speaking. This was something I know I struggle with when standing up and speaking in front of people, due to nerves. To improve I should practice at home, by presenting my two sheets to my family or friends so I won’t be as nervous and can improve my presentations skills. 

Individualisation - 4

Today, I was ready to present to my client the ideas that I have developed and locations that I have researched. Also, I prepared questions which I will ask my client such as about the scale, materials and the function of the tree house. Unfortunately, my client did not turn up today so I had to ask Sue for guidance. 

During the talk, I have come to realized that I might been considering too much about what the client likes that I have not been as creative as I can with my designs. When I was asked about what I like, it took me by surprise. I figure that I put all my attention about my client’s interest that I’m not putting my stamp on the work. 

Sue suggested that I probably should find a location first. My tree house design will be site specific to that place. We also went to discuss about how is the tree house going to be attached and where will it be situated, whether on top, middle or just above ground. We came up with the idea of a tree house being wedge by the tree trunks. This discussion made me consider a lot of things and that I need to do further research. It also made me think about the different possibilities that I have for this tree house.  

Individualisation - 3

After the talk about our final major project by James Ward, I went to the library to find books that will help me with this project. I found a book about tree houses, which is what I will be designing for my client. The book is titled New treehouses of the world by architect Paul Nelson. This book enables me to see the different tree house designs, and their relation to its location. I realized the different ways tree houses can be situated, whether it’s on top, around or attached to trees. I also borrowed from the library Mini house style and Prefab modern. Both books have lots of different designs of small spaces, which I thought could inspire me with creative ideas for my tree house design. I find that there are quite a lot of cubic inspired houses/ spaces, and through this research it enables me to see how the play on the idea of cubic forms. 

In my sketchbook I started to create different designs, keeping in mind or looking back at my notes of what the client has said he wants in his tree house. 

Individualisation - 2

Over the weekends, I did further research into existing architectures that relates to the things my client mentioned in our previous discussion. There were quite a lot of things he said that he likes from our last meeting, so through this discussion I want to shrink down to the things he really likes. I printed out the images of research and went to talk to my client. The images he picked from the research are all cubic form architectures. I also discussed with him what he specifically want me to create for him. I showed him the first page of my sketchbook with the 50 spaces, to help him out in deciding what he wants. He decided with a tree house. I further asked him where he would want the tree house to be situated. He said he wants it to be in an isolated area in the countryside. I asked whether he has a location in mind, but he said no. 

I ended the discussion, so I can start doing research into tree houses in cubic forms and search for an isolated location. I thought the talk went very smoothly. I got enough information from him for me to move on and begin to develop designs. We have also established that he wants a tree house, which is located in isolation. 

My targets would be to research into tree houses from books in the library and the internet. Also, from what me and my client have already discussed I can start developing ideas, by doing a selection of drawings of tree houses that is based on what the client likes, such as cubic forms. Furthermore, I would have to research into isolated places in the countryside and have a selection of sites that I could show through images to my client and have further discussions.

Individualisation - 1

I gather my research ready to present what I have to my client. Firstly, Sarah came to talk to me as I am her client. We went through her images which are consists mostly images of products and furniture’s.  I suggested to her about designing hidden storages. This idea came to my mind, because for the last project I designed a small minimalist house with hidden storages. I thought she could design something like hidden services such as a kitchen, which could be suitable for my minimalist house. It could become a collaboration project, which I really like the idea of. 

Afterwards, I went up to my client (Adriaan) to present the research that I have done. The five themes I picked from his questionnaire were: summer, night, plane, shiny and sweet. He told me what he images he liked and I made notes of them.  He really liked the image which depicts sugar cubes. He elaborated further that he likes simple and structures forms like cubes. Also, he mentioned his interests in cubism. He liked the image of the scrunched foil, in particular the pattern and texture of the foil. Furthermore, he really liked the image of the bottles with different levels of water inside, and as well as the shape of the bottle. The colours he pointed out all seems to be light colours, such as ocean blue. However, he particularly likes the colours black and white. The materials he liked from my research include the shiny metal found in professional kitchens. Also, he took an interest to the image of ebony wood. 

After we went through my research, I asked him if he had in mind what he wants me to design. He replied that he does not know. I decided to end our meeting there, as I thought I have enough information from him to do more specific research into the things he mentioned that he likes. I thought our first meeting went well. He was very corporative and when he was looking through my research he talked a lot, which gave me a range of things to do research into.