March Madness Week 1 Reflection:
What did you accomplish?
I found a specific site to base my model off of and specific dimensions. On Tuesday and Thursday, I visited an architect’s firm to learn more about how to create architectural models. On Monday and Friday, I researched more ways in which I could make my building sustainable while maintaining its aesthetics. I decided on putting a rooftop garden with plants with a vegetable garden on my model as well as a rainwater collection system. Then, I started creating my floor plans and facades, both with a lot of detail. I finalized the front facade of my building and am still working on the back, and then I started to cut out some of the pieces I would need for my building.
What did you do well with your time management (not work - how did you manage the hours?)
I think that I managed my time well throughout the week because I worked on the project every day until about 4:00. I also visited an architect who gave me a lot of good advice, so I feel as though that was a very good use of my time. I achieved a lot throughout the March Madness week and feel like the next steps are clear.
What do you wish you did differently?
I wish I had spent less time on the detailed floor plans (since they wouldn’t be seen on the model itself anyways) and more time cutting out and putting together some of the pieces necessary to create the 3D model. However, thinking about the floor plans was extremely useful as it helped me think more about the layout of the rooftop garden (such as where the stairs emerge), which will be visible on the model.
What do you know now that you didn't know before week 1?
Some technical things I have learned that I did not know before week 1 are how to use an architectural scale and how floor plans and facades are created using specific tools (such as a t-square, it has to be very particular and precise). I also learned that while it seems like there is a lot of time between now and the symposium, there actually isn’t, which is why I utilized my time well throughout the week.
Who did you meet/interview/talk to?
I met with an architect at her office, and she helped me learn some of the necessary skills for building a model of a building. She also guided me while I was creating my floor plans and the front and back facade of the model, and helped me find which materials would be the best to create my model out of.
What are your plans for Week 2?
My plans for Week 2 include finalizing the assembly of the 3D model and adding some of the final touches, such as adding on all of the detail to the facades that I had drawn in my plans.
How has your project evolved after week 1?
Rather than me doing a lot of research and coming up with ideas, I now have something physical and tangible to show for all of the work that I put in. It seems a lot more real now rather than an idea in my head, which is bringing up a lot of aspects I had not considered before such as if I should have a stoop on the front of the building or if I should have a garden in the back. Also, a lot of people renovate the back of their townhouse since there aren’t any particular rules from the state of New York that says you cannot change it, but there is for the front of townhouses in certain areas. The site that I chose did extend the first floor in the back by the garden, so I have to think about if I will do the same or keep it more simple.
What progress did you make on your deliverable (final project)?
I gathered the materials to create my final 3D model of a building and started to cut out some foam core in order to start building it. I also worked on the detailing of the front facade and the rooftop garden so that I know how to add those details onto the 3D model.
What will you do this coming week before next Wednesday? Be specific!
This coming week, I am going to continue cutting out the pieces I will need and hopefully will start to assemble them within the week. I am also going to add all of the images of houses I used as inspiration and images of the floor plans and facades I drew to my IP10 website.
IP10 Podcast Script:
The path to deciding what my project would be in the first place was a fairly quick one, as it was something that I was already previously interested in. During the 9th grade Intro to Inquiry class, we were prompted to think about potential topics for our project, since deciding what project you want to focus on for almost a year is a very important decision. I was stuck between architecture and creative writing, but I eventually decided to go with architecture since I had already drawn up some interesting ideas in my mind. I chose architectural model-making for my project because I wanted to explore the realm of architecture more to see if I would like to continue to do so in the future. Another huge factor of my project was sustainability, as I wanted to think about the current state of the environment and the people living in it while designing my building. During the current climate crisis and general state of the world, I wanted my project to be one that would, if it were a real building, help the community I live in and the people within that community. The process, I’ll admit, has been a rather long one.
Step one was to brainstorm ideas for what some sustainable factors within a building would be, and then to decide on a type of building (for example, residential, a school, a church, etc.). Then I wanted to find a lot in New York that I could pretend my site was, noting down the dimensions and surroundings of the lot, so I chose a townhouse in the West Village.
In the end, the researching part of the project took a long time, but not nearly as long as the planning. During the first March Madness week, I spent almost the entire time in an architect’s office, learning the basics of architectural design and model-making, such as how to use certain tools and the usual steps that have to be followed. I spent a lot of time designing the front and back facades of the townhouse, and after wondering how to incorporate sustainability into the project, I decided to include a rooftop garden, a rainwater collection system, and a vegetable garden on the roof. The green plants on the roof would help to limit the amount of heat bounding back off and it also cleans the air around it. After I had finalized what the two facades and the roof would look like, I decided to also draw blueprints of a floor plan which would help me understand the scale and size of the structure more.
Finally, after all of this researching and planning, I had time to finally begin creating the 3D model of the townhouse which I had designed, so the next steps were to measure the shapes, draw them out, cut them out and attach them. The last step would be to add the smaller details and the finishing touches.
I would like my end result to be sturdy and look accurate and to scale, even if the model is made on a small scale. The model would be successful if it matches the sketches and facades I had drawn and my process makes sense to people who are looking at the end result.