Architecture Investigation 3

Artist Statement

This is the third piece in my sustained investigation that focuses on the impact of horizontal and vertical lines on the appearance and function of architecture. For this piece I really wanted to focus on a residential based design, as my first design was commercial and the second more sculptural, so from the design was based on average dimensions and functions of residential homes. My model was based off a sketch I had done a while back, although to play more into my inquiry question I altered some elements to make it more functional and interesting. The idea was to have very open rooms with large windows, however I still wanted to incorporate elements of privacy. So, taking elements from my first and second investigations I added vertical slats to cover half the windows. This cannot be seen in the model because unfortunately the 3D print did not completely work, so I used wood to replace the missing elements and walls. I took the idea of landscape being incorporated into my design from my first sustained investigation and used the hill again as the horizontal element in the model whereas the vertical elements over the windows juxtapose it. The idea was to let in half the light and sight completely in visibility, and cover the other half partially with the slats, so still letting light in but also maintaining privacy.

For this piece, I originally had no idea of what material to use to create my model, so I first made a quick mock up model in SketchUp to develop more of a feeling of dimension and structure from all angles. I then decided that rather than using cardboard or wood I would try 3D printing my model, because I figured the result would bring across the design nicely due to the exactness of 3D printing. When I printed for the first time, there was some sort of an error, and unfortunately only the base printed with three random, separated walls. When I revisited and researched my error, I decided to make another version of my model that had thicker walls and made 100% sure that there was wall thickness everywhere. Due to a matter of time and reaching a due date, I didn't add the vertical elements and figured I could just add them in after the fact with wooden skewers. When the print came out the second time, there was again an error, and this time all of the roof, the base, and one part of the house printed but the rest did not. This model also came out a bit smaller than I intended, and the wooden skewers I wanted to use were too big in proportion to the rest of the model. Instead, I used thin pieces of bass wood that I had left over from my first project. This substitution does the job although without the SketchUp model (see below) supports my sustained investigation more.

I knew I wanted to recreate this model based off of a sketch I had done a while back, although I knew I had to add to my project to represent my sustained investigation more. I played around on SketchUp and was able to come up with my final design. During this process I often copied and pasted the blank version of my model to try different elements in different places till I found one that I liked. Since this piece is also intended as a residential model, I did some research to find dimensions of rooms and houses so it would be to scale. Overall, I am happy with the processes I went through to complete this piece because it will help me for future models when I 3D print. Additionally, since the original design is on SketchUp I can always reprint and edit it from there.