What What ??!!??!

The above image is an enhanced image of a drafting assignment I was given. I had to copy an image from my drafting book and right a passage, in architectural lettering, from the same book.

"Love it, hate it, say what you want about it, but all of the boys and all of the girls are begging to if you seek amy!!"

A Drafted House

I had to draft different views from a house, this is the result !!

Coming Full Circle

Community. After a year in the Interior Architecture program I have realized that the word community holds a greater meaning then I ever gave it. I have come to trust, love, and cherish all of my piers. As first years, we have formed our own community. We take care of each other when were sick, we help each other when we can't handle the world, we take the fall for one another, we are a community of boss bitches. You mess with one, you mess with all. A friend will bail you out of jail, but great friends (a.k.a. all of us) ... we'll be sitting next to each other saying, "Damn what a great night!"

Stewardship. To be in charge of and in control of situations such as people places and/or things. Take for instance this story: A young girl, of no more then 20 years of age, is driving down the road, eating a big juicey, thick burger from her favorite restuarant, McDonalds, as so many vegitarians do. She finishes up the bun-wrapped cow, and throws the wrapper out the window. This story is an example of bad stewardship, because the burger eating vegitarian is not taking charge of her surroundings.

Authenticity. Being original, new, and fresh. In my many years on this planet I have realized that a lot of people are not authentic. Many try to fit in with everyone else instead of standing out. You will never find me doing this. The queen bee of fashion, Miss Coco Chanel said, "In order to be remembered one must always be different." Who wants to be ordinary in a crazy-mixed up world. Now I know that I can be fake to people sometimes, like when I say "Oh my gosh your outfit looks so foxy" when I really mean "That is the ugliest skirt I've ever seen!" But for the most part I'm honest. What I do hate though is when people fake bake and go to the tanning bed. I feel like it is a disgrace to my native Hawaiian/Brazillian/Spanish heritage. I am tan, you're not. Don't change yourself, love yourself. Be original, be authentic.

Inivation. To be new, creative; to hybrid new and old; to discover. When one is inivative they are trying out new things. I try to do new things all the time. When I first came into this program, I would have ideas for projects fluttering through my head, like a school of butterflies around a field of sun red tulips. I realized that my ideas were too complicated and I did too much with my projects. Whe I realized this I refined myself to do more simple and "to the point" projects. Now theres only a few (and by few I mean 59, give or take a few) butterflies in my head. Old with new. Inivation.

My community of stone fox, boss bitches is my family. I would do anything for them, a friend is a single soul dwelling in two bodies. Next time you go for that corndog dipped in mustard yellow .... mustard, remember DON'T LITTER, cause I will hunt you down and find you like the chihuahua you are. GO GREEN and be substainable. Save your mother lands. Love yourself always and be authentic. If you feel like a troll, dress like a troll, it doesn't matter what you look like. If you've got a hunch back, just throw a little glitter on it babies and go dancing. And finally, my teachers, my friends, my loveys, always be inivative and try out new things, but remember to be yourselves ALWAYS!!

GONZALEZ OUT !!

BLINK BLINK !!

Road Trip

Jefferson's private bedroom is rooted in French design. (Above)

Roots. The basic cause, source, or origin of something. When visiting Monticello, we learned that the roots of Jefferson's home came from his travels and experiences from all over the world. Jefferson spent a great deal of time in France as the U.S. Ambassador. He studied the architecture of that country and brought it back to help build his home. "Gothic architecture, with its roots in northern European sources, evoked an uncivilized brutish period that they began to call the dark age that separated the glories of ancient Greece and Rome from their own time" (Roth 317). The following quotation further explains the idea one having roots, or borrowing, basic ideas from one source and branching off of that to create their own ideas.

My released explosion of drawings for Suzanne 

(not finished yet but is turning out to be one of my favorite project). 

It's refreshing to get assigned something thats just really fun 

when you're stressed out off your mind yo !! (Above)

Compression / Release. To flatten by pressure and then to allow to escape from confinement. With our latest assignment in Suzanne's class, we were told to draw at least five pictures all on one sheet of paper. Many of our other projects have been to only draw one picture on a piece of paper, which makes the assignment feel very compressed. Our new project is releasing and allows us to have an explosion of drawings. "In fact, if it were possible to freeze that form and invert it, the result would be a catenary curve or parabolic arch virtually entirely in compression" (Roth 38). This quote further explains the idea of compression holding something in. "Exposed to red, for example, the body experiences an increase in muscular tension, the release of adrenalin, increase of the heartbeat, and a stepping-up of gastric activity" (Roth 76). This quote explains the idea of releasing tension, much like I did for Suzanne's assignment.

Plan view of Jefferson's Monticello. Though, not completely 

identical, Monticello is extremely congruent and balanced. (Above)

Congruence. In agreement or harmony. At Monticello, Jefferson created a very congruent plan for his foundation. When viewing the home it appears to be a symmetric space. Each side of the house is almost identical to the other, which gives the house it's congruent appearance. "The technique of fan vaulting was used here at its grandest scale; the walls are completely dissolved in glass, and the vaults, windows, and detailing are a complete harmony" (Roth 310). Congruency is another form of harmony, which gives a space a sense of meaning and consistency.

Jefferson's spherical sundial. Get it young J !! (Above)

Materiality. The quality or character of being material or composed of matter. In Monticello, Jefferson used all local materials to build his home. He used lumber, brick, and other various materials from the surrounding towns. Jefferson also created a lot of material objects for his home, including a spherical sun dial that he designed himself.

Monticello set a top a hill, my inspiration and concept 

for my composition board. (Above)

Concept. An abstract idea; a general notion. In Suzanne's drawing class, I was assigned a project were I had to draw a series of picture on Monticello. My concept for the graphic was "The Hill." At Monticello, the house was surrounded by hundreds of hills and Jefferson actually had the top of a hill removed so that he could build his home there. "It was from Behrens that Mies derived the concept of the artist as agent of the taste of the age, and of architecture as being an expression of technical power" (Roth 469). Roth explains the idea of concept, by discussing the general notion of what an artist and architect is in an abstract way.

While I was working on Suzanne's assignment and looking at these opus words I easily found that Monticello applied to every word. The roots of Monticello originate from France. The house is extremely congruent and symmetrical. Jefferson also used only local materials to build his home. Monticello allowed me to create a released drawing rather than one that was compressed and made an easy concept for my overall composition.

Between Light and Space

A light fixture that Frank Lloyd Wright crafted.

It allows for back and direct lighting. (Above) 

Craft. An activity involving skill in making things by hand. Craft can be represented in a good way through clean lines, which can be achieved through a datum. Craft can also be represented through a negative way when lines don't line up or come to an end in a clean and polished way. "If one takes pride in one's craft, you won't let a good thing die. Risking it by not pushing hard enough is not a humility" (Paul Keating). Keating explains that one must always take pride in their craft, because when you don't you let your hard work die. One must always stand behind their own work and love it completely. Problems with Falling Water include having to fix the supporting structure every year. However, though the craft may be seem negative when it comes to the support system, it can also be seen as a positive in the fact that it was the first building to every be built using metal rods forced into the ground. YOU GO FRANKIE!

A room I designed for Suzanne's class. It is a virtual, that 

is something that is so good a fake, it looks real, 

drawing of a space. (ABOVE)

Virtual. Almost or nearly as described, but not according to strict definition. Virtual also means viewing without being there. In Jefferson's Monticello He placed mirrors on opposite sides of the windows to reflect and give the illusion of more light. As Tommy says, "It's so bad it looks good!" Virtual is also something that is so good a fake that it looks real. "The pyramids are virtual mountains, hauled block by block up to the plateau from the Nile" (Roth 169). This quote further proves the idea of virtual meaning so good a fake it appears real. Th pyramids are not mountain, however, because of there mass and form they appear to be geometric versions of mountains.

The fireplace Jefferson manufactured in Monticello. 

His technique involved adding acorns in between the molding. (Above)

Technique. A way of carrying out a particular task, esp. the execution of performance of an artistic work or a scientific procedure. In Monticello, Jefferson used all local materials to build the structure. Also, in Monticello Jefferson placed acorns in between the spaces of the molding on his fireplace. Jefferson also borrowed technique from the french when designing his home. "Eventually these become just as commonplace as metal framing, which was itself a highly novel technique when used for building ..." (Roth 41). This quotation explains how good technique can be used to create beauty. 

Jefferson invented a dumbwaiter, which is a rolling cart. 

It was constructed for one person to roll out and serve

 guests instead of many servants doing the job. (Above)

Public / Private. Open and closed. Jefferson had one third of Monticello designed for his own personal space. He was also embarrassed about having slaves work for him, so he built the kitchen and staff areas under his house so no one could see the slaves. The food was brought up from the kitchen and placed onto a revolving service station, this also prevented his guests from seeing his servants. In Monticello, Frankie W. designed dark hallways to prevent people from walking to the other end (where the private bedrooms where) and stay in the guest area. "Saying that beauty and elegance in public construction are worth having" (Roth 137). "The nobles moved to Paris, where they erected spacious private houses, hotels, in what were then outskirts of the city" (Roth 389) These quotes allow you to understand the importance of public buildings being delightful for the people and private spaces being secluded for personal use.

Falling Water was constructed in an extremely modern 

way for Wright's time. It's language expresses how 

advanced he was. (Above)

 

Language. A method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in a structured and conventional way. In Monticello, one gets the essence of being sent back in time. Through language the design remains old but timeless. Falling water was constructed of local stone in an extremely modern way. Wright's design seems like it was built just a few years ago but in reality it was erected over seventy years ago. He was completely ahead of his time. YOU GO FRANKIE, YOU GO AGAIN! 

In my fantastical visit to Monticello and Falling Water I was able to experience and view many different elements of architecture. Craft is always one of the most important components to design. If you're going to do something, do it fit and proper. Technique applies in the same way. It's all in the details lovey. Overall, one's craft and technique creates a language that explains your untold thoughts. Also, with virtual imaging one can create images that illustrates the public and private spaces of a home. YOU GO FRANKIE, YOU GO AGAIN AND AGAIN.

[RE]ACTION [week ten: the opus project]

The alter at King's University is a great example of a space rotating 

around a central axis, the alter. (Above)

Rotation. The act of rotating around an axis or center. Rotation allows you to see things from all sides and every angle. When you rotate your body, you can see everything around you. When you're drawing, rotating the paper can help you draw at better angles (at least for me it does). In architecture, some people focus their entire structure on one main axis and rotate the rest of the building along that axis. "... in the Gothic cathedral the emphatic axis directs movement toward the single focus - the alter" (Roth, 51). This quotation explains that the main axis of the cathedral is the alter and every other part rotates around that center.

A room design for Suzanne's class. Movement is shown 

through the three hanging gold light fixtures. They move your 

eye from one side of the space to the other. (Above)

Movement. An act of changing physical location or position or of having this changed. Movement in a drawing directs your eyes from one side of the page to the other. In architecture, movement has the same effect. It can make your eye steadily move from one room to the other, or make you eyes jump from one exciting detail to the next. "But the line that most strongly conveys dynamic action and movement is the diagonal. This phenomenon was exploited in numerous compositions in Baroque ... " (Roth, 61).

My light fixture I designed for my studio class was all 

about reflecting light in a colorful and energetic way. 

How I got a "C" on it .... I DON'T KNOW? (Above)

Reflection. The throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it. Reflection can obviously mean the reflecting of light but it can also mean to think deeply and carefully about something. "So the laboratory spaces were separated into two parts, large spaces to work and small private spaces for reflection" (Roth, 16).  I find that this quote is a great example of explaining that every person needs their own environment to review and contemplate their ideas. It also confirms that reflection isn't always about a mirror.

Vitruvius' plan for the Roman theater is a

 great source for all theaters built today. (Above)

Source. A place, person, or thing from which something comes or can be obtained. "Once again Virtuvius is the source of ancient advice, for he observed that oikonomia, the Greek term he used, is essential to good architecture, suggesting that this would result from selection of a good building site, use of good materials, and wise control of expenses" (Roth, 135). Information is learned through the knowledge and experiences of ourselves and others. When we get any idea from another person we considered them to be a source.

My friend ambuLAAAR took this picture of me at the arboretum. 

It is expressed through the illumination of the beaming sun. (Above)

Illuminate. Help to clarify or explain, to bring light to. "Painters of the Baroque period, such as Rubens and Rembrant, did much the same, similarly creating areas of strong illumination to direct our attention" (Roth, 75).  Illumination allows designers and artist to decide where they want people to focus on their work. It demonstrates the most important part of a scene and can beautifully highlight everything around.

Grammar : Syntax [week nine: the opus project]

Audience. Viewers, onlookers, patrons; crowd, congregation, turnout. Though the creation of an artist or designer reflects mainly on their views and feelings, an audience is sometimes the most important part of a design. An audience or crowd are the people who will view your creation and make their own judgments on them. They will tell you wether they believe it's good or bad. This can sometimes be a good or bad thing. When an audience critiques you as being good, you really have nothing to worry about. It's when somebody doesn't like your work that you have to step back and think. Not everyone will appreciate the things that you do, but it comes to design you can look at criticism as being something to work from or improve on, or you can accept the negativity placed on your work but stand strong by your design. It's your work, what you created, you wouldn't put something out there if you didn't like it. "Write while the heat is in you. The writer who postpones the recording of his thoughts uses an iron which has cooled to burn a hole with. He cannot inflame the minds of his audience" (Henry David Thoreau). Design what's in your heart now, don't wait for the audience to be ready. Do it now and ask for forgiveness later.

Drawing was first done in pen - I later revised it by adding splashes of color for interest.

Revisions. Correction, alteration, adaptation, editing. Revision means correcting or altering something done in the past, but it also means taking a second or closer look. You start out with your first idea. It's always something extreme and crazy, it has to be though. When you are given a new project or assignment, you imagine no limitations. You are free think up and dream any wild idea your mind can create. Slowly, your head comes out of the clouds and you revise and alter your ideas into something more produceable. "Enjoying success requires the ability to adapt [revise]. Only by being open to change will you have a true opportunity to get the most from your talent" (Nolan Ryan).

Character is shown in the way people design. I like flowers and

colorful frilly stuff so -- thats my design up there for my next studio project.

Character. Personality, nature, disposition, temper, mentality, makeup. The character of a person defines who they are. It allows you to know how they were brought up and raised. This can also explain why some people design the way they do. When a designer creates something thats always playful and energetic you can easily see their character in their design. A design helps you to understand the character of a person. "... let us say every man is an architect of his own character" (George D. Boardman).

The transition above is from the natural objects I chose in the 

first drawing to the design patterns I made in the second.

Transition. Change, passage, move, transformation, conversion, metamorphosis. "The best performance improvement is the transition from the non-working state to the working state" (quotes). In design, a person always starts off with extreme and eccentric ideas, those ideas are then revised into something more produceable and then transitioned into some that you can actually bring to life.

My group followed a datum line to show consistency through our presentation board.

 

Datum. An assumption or premise from which inferences may be drawn. In Suzanne's class this past week, we work on presentation boards that reflected the all of the work we've done this past semester. On those presentation boards we focused a lot on datum lines, or a common line that all of our drawings shared. I found that when using a datum line it really allows your final product to come out clean and smooth.

This week was all about appealing to an audience through the process of design. One must always start with a first draft or idea. That idea is then revised and transitioned into what is more appealing to the audience. However, while working for an audience you must always have your own character in your creations otherwise the project will not be your own at all. Finally to create a successful design you must must follow a datum or guidelines that will again appeal to your audience.