Arch 21

Lu Li

Short after midterm, I continued to experiment on frame building. Frame is the bone of architecture. To build a model with only frame is to create space without enveloping. It’s a form of engineering. To appreciate a frame only structure, one has to use the power of imagination. Where to close the space up, where is the opening and where is the pathway are open to one’s imagination. However the creator of the model does need to clarify the definition of each part. What’s exciting about creating a frame only structure is the overlapping linear aspects create a language that I have not yet discovered in me before.

Repeating rectangular forms are inspired by building blocks and geometry diagrams.

Penetration and irregularity in rhythm give the structure more interests. The complicity of the structure rewards the ones that take efforts to explore the structure.

The final project is to build a structure on a site in the Ocean campus of CCSF. It’s a 30 degree hill side facing west. The major attraction of this site is that it is facing the most open part of the campus and has a view of part of the bay. The visible features on this side is the track, the library, Cloud Hall, and the southern hills. Behind the site is the neighborhood of Glen Park area. It is a transition between many different aspects in terms of cultureand environment.

I have come to realize that I am a concept driven designer. I need a inspiration beforehand in order to start a design. And I found my inspiration really randomly in life. I found my inspiration from pop stars in different eras; Olivia Newton John, Madonna and Lady Gaga. Their costumes all have some influence in art and fashion. I took the head band, point bra, and bold looking sun glasses in consideration to begin to design my structure.

The concept has changed during development. I name the three halls The Hall of Mermaids, The Hall of Elves, and The Hall of Dwarves.

The first hall, The Hall of Mermaids, is an open to the pathway. An space with little regulation and have easy access to the public. it for big amount of people to gather and spend their free time at.

The second hall, The Hall of Elves, is created under the concept of creating space without clear definitions of space. Its structure is created by vertical elements. The space is for individuals who like to spend time with some privacy, a public private space.

The third hall, The Hall of Dwarves, is to create illusion of length and size. This hall is for people of groups. It’s comfortable and easy-going.

The major change in the second iteration is the second hall. The columns did not function as structure as clearly as I wanted it to be. I choose to create a box form. The material is translucent to provide the lightness of the structure.

The triangular structure that connects the three halls together reinforce the unity of the design. And the side view of this structure improves a great amount of interests on the repetionalforms of rectangular and triangular forms. It was a very exciting improvement.

The third iteration has changed and improved many design aspects that I want to express better: repetition, overlapping, unity, cohesion between design and narrative.

Create a space defining/structure reinforcing element on the top of the hill. Direct the energy flow of this design, reinforce repetitional linear elements, reinforce unity and narrative.

Create light architecture elements. The linear structures, the overlapping transparent materials, and openings on the wall of the second hall (which creates the diversity light quality)

The Hall of Passengers: I walked on the street of Shanghai at 3 am, just being a passenger. Then this piece of architecture caught my attention. I was just passing by. But my heart skipped a beat for some reason. I believe everyone must have experienced something like that. A fascination finding out of nowhere that take your breath away.

The Hall of Watchers: I start to look around, see what else I can find that can give me the same kind experience like that. I realize that I start to fall in love with architecture. But I can’t just make a decision so big that can change my life. I peak through the gaps between people, trees, cars and bus stops. The more I look, the more it become clear to me.

The Hall of Explorers: I can’t just watch anymore, I need a new fresh space, I need to go higher. I leave the place where I grow up. I change my name from Chinese characters to alphabets. I flew over an ocean. and I made a decision. I have no options but to explore the possibilities. I have no where to go but up.

Final changes:

Simplify the overlapping element of the first hall. Due to a difference in measurement, the first hall is actually deeper than I expected. If the density of the overlapping material is still the same as the early iterations, the expression would be too busy and overly exaggerated.

Get rid of the netting structure of the second hall to create an opening. The early structure is way to heavy in the middle it almost look suffocating.

In the third hall create a conversation between two opposite walls.