Unit 5_Unknown Pleasures

A collection of my thoughts and drawings during the first year of my MArch at the Universtiy of Kent

[hannahw-blog]

Using the laser cutter with black acrylic I cut shapes that can be found in my previous work. Such as the city shapes and outlines. 

Again I looked at the shadows cast from a light within the structure; the shadows look more connected this time. I also feel that the outcome is less interesting. I think I made this prototype too large and something smaller may have worked better/ got the desired results.

[hannahw-blog]

Initial sketch models for ideas for my 'cabinet'

Creating holes in the outside of the box and seeing the effect of the shadows when a light is placed inside.

How the shadow can make the object look different.

The last image is interesting because the shadows seem disconnected to the object.

[hannahw-blog]

Playing around with exposure times I used the pin hole filter I created and moved the camera around as it took the photo.This gives an interesting dynamic where you can see part of the light trails but then it is hidden from view and continued after the break. 

Only seeing a snapshot of the image makes it all the more interesting and makes you want to find out more.

[hannahw-blog]

Focusing on spots of light; I created a filter for my camera by pushing a needle through cardboard to create small holes. I stuck this over the lens and took photos of light sources.

In the top image I like the way the circles overlap and make it brighter in certain places.  

[hannahw-blog]

I have been experimenting with how it might look and feel to be on the inside and outside of the sieve by photographing how the light gets in and out of the holes.

[hannahw-blog]

FARO SCANNER - Point cloud information

This is how the point cloud information looks in the programme Recap. In this programme we can take measurements, capture views and also export to other programmes such as 3D Studio Max where we can then render an image.

[hannahw-blog]

MELNIKOV HOUSE.

After finding the sieve in the British Museum my mind immediately made the connection with the Melnikov house; its hexagonal windows are like the holes in the sieve.

I particularly like the interior image; the difference between the light and the dark creates interesting shapes and shadows. 

From this I would take the idea of smaller more regular windows rather than always using large picture windows. 

[hannahw-blog]

SIEVE WITH IMPRESSED DECORATION

South East Nigeria, Late 20th Century

This sieve caught my eye whilst in the Africa exhibition in the British Museum; I like the uneven impressed decoration that, although was regular, it was not perfect. The holes also made me think of windows and how in a building there are often large picture windows but sometimes having lots of small ones to give just a glimpse of a view might be more interesting.

"If there is a beautiful view, don't spoil it by building huge windows that gape incessantly at it. Instead, put the windows which look onto the view at the places of transition - along paths, in hallways, in entry ways, on stairs, between rooms.

If the view window is correctly placed, people will see a glimpse of the distant view as they come up to the window or pass it: but the view is never visible from the places where people stay.

ALEXANDER, C., ISHIKAWA, S., & SILVERSTEIN, M. (1977). A pattern language: towns, buildings, construction. New York, Oxford University Press.

[hannahw-blog]

This short clip shows how the city just disappears, it fades away as though it was never there. Leaving the fairground to continue on as normal, awaiting the re-arrival of the city.

[hannahw-blog]

This is a sketch of my model; I have highlighted the fairground in red to show its importance. The city can just fade into the background.

[hannahw-blog]

FARO SCANNER - The first results

Here are a couple first images we got from our first scan in the Coyler Fergusson Building at The University of Kent. 

We are currently in the process of analysing the scans and seeing what detail we has been captured using Recap 360 before taking this information into 3D Studio Max, or Rhino where we hope to be able to manipulate and experiment with it. 

We have been working closely with Julian Soosaipillai from the Kent School of Architecture who is pushing us to try and go beyond using the scanner for the basic of functions. The more we experiment and ask him questions it helps us to learn but it also stretches his knowledge of the scanner and its capabilities.

Next week we shall present our findings to our tutors and seminar group before gathering some ideas of how we can use this in Elephant & Castle or Venice. 

[hannahw-blog]

Doors

The doors down the Walworth Road all have different needs, uses, colours, shape, size, material and appeal.

This is just a small selection; however even the doors into the same building, although very similar, have their differences. The detail of the door or the top light, this gives every door its own character and sense of identity. 

The amount of glass or transparent material varies with the use, the more transparent the more the public are likely to use the door. For example the large glazed doors are often shop doors, this allows passers-by to see into the shop on approach and is more inviting to enter as they know what to expect on the other side. 

[hannahw-blog]

I couldn't go to Elephant & Castle without a picture of the Elephant & Castle...

More to follow...

[hannahw-blog]

A development on the previous model. The large, solid and coloured elements of the fairground stand out. This is the city of Sophronia, it is what remains when everything else has left. 

The paper city that comes and goes has to fit around the existing fairground; as seen in the model this means that buildings have to fit between gaps and sit at odd angles to be able to fit into the surroundings. 

I like the shadows cast by the model, it looks like a skyline that could be any city, anywhere. It is only by looking closer at the detail that you would know that there is anything strange about this place. 

[hannahw-blog]

A quick model using different materials to so the difference between what is fixed and what is temporary.

Here the metal elements represent the fairground. The jagged edges and the rusted corten steel show the age of the fair, it has been in the same place for a long time, it is getting old and has been well used.

The paper city represents the fragility and temporary nature of the city. It can easily be torn down and moved on. 

I am going to develop this model and consider how the city may meet the fairground and how they might interact with each other.

[hannahw-blog]

A quick model playing around just using paper. The 'fairground' elements are fixed, stuck down so they remain where they are. The 'city' is not fixed; it can be moved around and taken away.

[hannahw-blog]

FARO SCANNER - Trial 1

Today a small group of us used the FARO scanner for the first time. We decided to use the Coyler Fergusson building as our chosen space to scan. The music department were very supportive and allowed us access to the main hall.

We were being shown how to use the scanner, what the safety measures are when using the scanner and finally we wanted to know what its capabilities were. We were also trialling using small black and white pieces of card rather than the mounted 'footballs' as this would be a much easier method.

We took four scans at different places around the space trying to capture different elements of the concert hall. It was interesting to see how much information and detail it could 'see' and how it worked with glass. I eagerly look forward to seeing the scans once they have been 'stitched together'. 

Ultimately we hope to use these scanners beyond the ordinary in Elephant & Castle and also hopefully Venice.